Kl. Schulte et al., RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE, FOREARM VASCULAR-RESISTANCE, AND LEFT-VENTRICULAR MASS IN HYPERTENSIVE AND NORMOTENSIVE SUBJECTS, American journal of hypertension, 6(9), 1993, pp. 786-793
Ambulant 24 h blood pressure was recorded in 97 untreated hypertensive
subjects (50 with, 47 without echocardiographic signs of left ventric
ular hypertrophy) and 45 matched normotensive subjects. Forearm vascul
ar resistance was calculated from mean blood pressure and blood flow,
which was measured by venous plethysmography during reactive hyperemia
. Blood pressure variability was calculated by standard deviations of
pressure values. Systolic 24 h blood pressure exhibited the closest co
rrelation with left ventricular mass index in hypertensives (4 = 0.48;
P < .001). No relation could be found between blood pressure fall dur
ing the night and left ventricular mass index. Furthermore, body weigh
t was a significant correlate of left ventricular mass (r = 0.53; P <
.001). Regression analysis indicated that body weight and 24 h blood p
ressure were the principal determinants of left ventricular mass. Bloo
d pressure variability was significantly higher in hypertensive than i
n normotensive subjects (P < .05). The highest vascular resistance was
found in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy comp
ared with the other groups (P < .05). A significant close correlation
between systolic resting as well as 24 h blood pressure and vascular r
esistance was identified for the group of hypertensives and all subjec
ts investigated. Furthermore, left ventricular mass index and vascular
resistance were correlated (in hypertensives: r = 0.32; P < .01). The
extent of left ventricular mass index and forearm vascular resistance
are proportional to the severity of hypertension. As vascular resista
nce and left ventricular mass are also related, these findings could s
peak for a parallel development of total peripheral resistance and lef
t ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension.