Alfieri A, Galderisi M, Fakher A, de Divitiis O.
Impact of ambulatory blood pressure on left atrial size
in uncomplicated hypertension
11th Scientific Meeting, American Society of Hypertension
Am J Hypert
(Apr) 9:111A 1996
It is known that ambulatory blood pressure (BP) correlates better than
office BP with left ventricular hypertrophy. Hypertensive patients
with persistently elevated BP during sleep may have added risk of
developing LVH. Less is known about the relationship between
ambulatory BP and left atrial enlargement, the latter being a common
finding in hypertension.
The authors studied the relationship between ambulatory BP, left
ventricular mass (LVM) and left atrial size (LAS) in 103 patients
with office BP greater than 140/90 mmHg and in 22 normotensive
controls. They excluded subjects with coronary and vascular disease.
Although the two groups were matched demographically, the
hypertensive group showed higher LVM and LAS and by design higher
ambulatory BP. By a multiple linear regression, it was found that male
sex, body mass index and night time diastolic BP were independent
determinants of the left atrial size.
Comment: This is an interesting study hinting that a close
relationship between nocturnal BP and the left atrial size is
present. The prognostic implication of an enlarged LAS in
uncomplicated hypertension is not known. In contrast, left ventricular
hypertrophy confers independent adverse risk to hypertensive subjects.
This abstract reminds us that nocturnal BP may be an independent
factor in hypertensive complications. (George Mansoor, M.D.,
University of Connecticut)
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11th Scientific Meeting, American Society of Hypertension
H: Exam and lab tests :
Ambulatory monitoring
H: Pathophysiology :
Heart in hypertension