The correlation between midwall function and carotid intima-media thickness in hypertensive patients

Kyung Hun Lee,; Yeo Won Choi,; Soo Hee Choi,; Kwang Ho Lee,; Ki Woo Seo,; Eun Young Kim,; Kwang Je Lee,; Sang Wook Kim,; Tae Ho Kim,; Chee Jeong Kim,; Wang Seong Ryu,

Korean J Med > Volume 74(4); 2008 > Article

Original Article

The Korean Journal of Medicine 2008;74(4):376-384.

The correlation between midwall function and carotid intima-media thickness in hypertensive patients

Kyung Hun Lee, Yeo Won Choi, Soo Hee Choi, Kwang Ho Lee, Ki Woo Seo, Eun Young Kim, Kwang Je Lee, Sang Wook Kim, Tae Ho Kim, Chee Jeong Kim, Wang Seong Ryu

을지의과대학교 내과학교실1, 흉부외과학교실2, 영상의학교실3, 병리학교실5

원저 : 고혈압 환자에서 좌심실 중벽 기능과 경동맥 내막-중막 두께와의 상관관계

이경헌, 최여원, 최수희, 이광호, 서기우, 김은영 이광제, 김상욱, 김태호, 김치정, 류왕성, Wang Seong Ryu

Abstract

Background/Aims : In hypertensive patients, LV ejection fraction may be normal or high, thus limiting assessment of prognosis. This has led to a growing body of research using LV midwall fractional shortening (MWS) instead. The current study aims to assess LV midwall function in hypertension patients and to study its correlation with the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery. Methods : Echocardiography and ultrasonography of the carotid artery were conducted to establish a group of hypertension patients without major complications (n=136) and a control group (n=48). LV MWS was determined using two cylindrical models, and the IMT was measured. Results : Compared with normotensive subjects, hypertensive adults exhibited higher LV mass index and lower LV MWS. A statistically significant correlation was found between the LV MWS and the average IMT in hypertension patients (r = -0.41). There was also a significant negative correlation among the maximum IMT (r = -0.40), LV mass index (r = -0.32), age (r = -0.31), and systolic blood pressure (r = -0.22). Regarding the prevalence of plaque in the carotid artery, the stage 1 hypertension group exhibited 16.7% prevalence, and the stage 2 hypertension group 32.9% prevalence, thereby showing far higher figures than the control group’s 4.2%. Conclusions : The LV MWS in hypertension patients underwent a statistically significant decrease, and the correlation between LV MWS and the IMT of the carotid artery was found to be high compared with the general blood pressure index. LV MWS can be used as an indicator to assess the prognosis of hypertension patients.

Key Words: Hypertension; LV systolic function; Midwall fractional shortening; Intima-media thickness