Effect of Masked Hypertension on Aortic Elastic Properties

Abstract

Aortic stiffness is increased in patients with sustained hypertension (SH). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between aortic elastic properties and masked hypertension (MH). We evaluated aortic elastic properties in 35 individuals with MH, 35 patients with SH, and 35 normotensive healthy volunteers using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. All aortic distensibility values were carried out at the same time or immediately after the blood pressure (BP) measurement. Baseline clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients were similar in all three groups. Aortic stiffness index and elastic modulus values were higher in MH group compared to SH group and control group (8.9 +/- 6.3 vs. 5.4 +/- 2.2 vs. 4.2 +/- 2.5, P < .001 and 9.0 +/- 6.3 vs. 6.4 +/- 2.5 vs. 4.1 +/- 2.4, P < .001, respectively). Aortic strain values were lower in MH group compared to SH group and control group (7.4 +/- 5.3 vs. 9.5 +/- 4.1 vs. 14.6 +/- 7.1, P < .001, respectively). Aortic distensibility values were lower in MH and SH groups compared to controls (3.1 +/- 1.9 vs. 3.7 +/- 1.6 vs. 6.4 +/- 3.4, P < .001, respectively). Furthermore, diastolic aortic diameter, left ventricular mass index, interventricular septum, and posterior wall thickness were higher in MH and SH groups when compared to controls. This study shows that masked hypertensive patients are at higher risk of "aortic" stiffness, a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, than normotensive and sustained hypertensive patients.