Parameters of arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with and without subclinical carotid atherosclerosis

Objective. To assess the relationship between arterial stiffness parameters in hypertensive patients with and without atherosclerotic lesions.

Design and methods. We included 127 subjects who were divided into 3 groups: patients with hypertension (HTN) without atherosclerosis (n = 42); patients with HTN and subclinical atherosclerosis (SА) (n = 52) and control group which consisted of individuals without HTN, SA, or coronary artery disease (n = 33). All groups matched by age and gender. All subjects underwent following examinations: ultrasonography of extracranial segments of carotid arteries, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring with the assessment of arterial stiffness parameters.

Results. In subjects with HTN compared to controls, pulse wave velocity in aorta (PWVao) was significantly higher (11,3 ± 1,5; 12,3 ± 1,8 vs 10,4 ± 1,3 m/s; p < 0,05), as well as pulse pressure (PP) (46,4 ± 9,8; 45,6 ± 10,6 vs 39,9 ± 6,5 mmHg; p < 0,05), central pulse pressure (PPао) (35,5 ± 8,5; 34,9 ± 8,5 vs 30,9 ± 5,4 mmHg; p < 0,05), and arterial stiffness index (ASI) (141 (127, 159); 139 (128,5, 160,5) vs 126 (118, 138) mmHg; p < 0,05). In subjects with HTN and SA, PWVao was significantly higher compared to other groups (p < 0,05). No significant difference in augmentation index was found (–32,5 (–45, –12); –22 (–36, –12); –37 (–50, –17); p = 0,25). Аmbulatory arterial stiffness index was higher in controls (0,5 ± 0,2) compared to HTN group (0,4 ± 0,2; p = 0,05), while HTN and SA group did not differ significantly (0,5 ± 0,2; p = 0,3). PWVao above 11,15 m/s is associated with 4,3 (2,3–8,2) times higher rate of atherosclerosis plaque detection.

Conclusions. In HTN patients, arterial stiffness is changed compared to healthy individuals. PWVao above 11,15 m/s is associated with 4,3 (2,3–8,2) times higher rate of atherosclerosis plaque detection. In patients with HTN and SA arterial stiffness is higher, which might have additional predictive value in risk stratification.

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