Prediction of the left ventricular mass index in hypertensive patients using the product of red cell distribution width and mean corpuscular volume

Abstract

The product of red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) has been identified as an indicator of target organ damage in cases of hypertension. However, the role of the RDW–MCV product in assessing carotid alteration, renal damage, and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension has not been elucidated. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 1115 participants with hypertension were included. The RDW and MCV at admission were measured using an automated hematology analyzer. Organ damage was determined by the left ventricular mass index (LVMI), carotid intima-media thickness, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. The prevalence rates of carotid alteration and left ventricular hypertrophy were 57.0% and 18.0%, respectively. A higher RDW–MCV product and RDW were observed in hypertensive patients who developed carotid alteration. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the correlations of the RDW-MCV product (P = .285) and RDW (P = .346) with carotid alteration were not significant. Moreover, the analysis of variance showed no significant correlation between RDW and LVMI (P = .186). However, the RDW–MCV product was higher in individuals with a high LVMI compared to those with a normal LVMI. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that the RDW–MCV product was independently associated with the LVMI (β = 2.519, 95% CI: 0.921–4.116; P = .002), but not the estimated glomerular filtration rate (β = −0.260, 95% CI: −2.031–1.511; P = .773). An elevated RDW–MCV product may be a predictor for left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension.