Arterial compliance in a group of normotensive and untreated hypertensive Cameroonian subjects in Yaounde

Abstract

IntroductionArterial compliance is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. It decreases with age and this decrease is accelerated by hypertension. The objectives were to determine the arterial compliance in a group of normotensive and untreated hypertensive stage 1, 2 and 3 Cameroonian subjects.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2012 to February 2013 in Yaoundé. Our sample size was 88 participants. The PulsePen® device was used to determine cfPWV (carotid-femoral Pulse Wave Velocity) and central Augmentation Index % (AIx). Other measurements obtained were: blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), fasting glycaemia, lipid profile and serum creatinine.ResultsOur sample's mean age was 35.48 years and ranged from 20 to 60 years. The means of: cfPWV, SBP, DBP, Pulse Pressure (PP) and Heart Rate (HR) showed a statistically significant increase (p-value < 0.05) across the groups from normotensive to severely hypertensive patients. cfPWV was significantly correlated (p-value< 0.05) to: Age, Central SBP, Central DBP, Central PP, HR, BMI and central Augmentation index (AIx). Furthermore, cfPWV was significantly dependent on LVH (p-value <0.05).ConclusionThis study suggests that arterial compliance decreases with increase severity of hypertension, indicating a higher risk of developing cardiovascular events in severely hypertensive patients.

Epidemiological and clinical profile of hypertensive octogenarian patients and factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension: Observational study of 346 patients

“…Its prevalence is estimated to be more than 70% in octogenarians [9,10]. Hypertension in the elderly is characterized by an increase in SBP and a decrease in DBP, leading to an increase in PP [11]. This particularity of HTN in very elderly patients is similar to the results of our study, in which one third of patients had isolated systolic HTN and 57% of patients had an increase in PP (≥60 mmHg).…”

Increased Risk of Arterial Stiffness in Rhumatoid Arthritis Patients in a Sub-Saharan African Setting

“…As shown by existing literature, increased AIx is a good predictor of future cardiovascular events and mortality and is associated with large artery remodelling in RA patients. As different World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases cardiovascular risk factors affect the Aix such as hypertension as described by Kingue et al, it may be seen as a composite measure of deleterious effects on the vascular system [21]. Therefore, measuring the AIx in addition to noting traditional cardiovascular risk factors could be a valuable tool for assessing the risk in a given patient especially in the context of RA.…”

“…Hypertension increases pulsatile aortic wall stress which accelerates elastin degradation, leading to arterial stiffness [25]. Kingue et al showed that, arterial compliance decreases with increase severity of hypertension, indicating a higher risk of developing cardiovascular events in severely hypertensive patients [21]. Diabetes causes accelerated arterial ageing, thereby enhancing AS in both type 1 and type 2 Diabetes.…”