Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Microalbuminuria in Patients With Essential Hypertension

Introduction. Microalbuminuria and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) have both been shown to predict increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, especially in diabetic patients. The present study investigated the relationship between microalbuminuria and LVH in patients with essential hypertension. Materials and Methods. After a primary workup to rule out secondary hypertension, 110 essential hypertensive patients with LVH (mean age, 62.97 +/- 11.02 years) and 10 essential hypertensive patients without LVH (mean age, 65.13 +/- 10.15 years) were enrolled in this case-control study. Spot urine sample was collected for the assessment of microalbuminuria and creatinine concentrations in the two groups. Smoking status, blood pressure, and serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and creatinine were evaluated. Results. Patients with LVH had significantly higher microalbuminuria level compared with those without LVH (mean urine albumin-creatinine ratio, 54.4 +/- 39.48 mu g/mg versus 33.56 +/- 21.73 mu g/mg; P < .001). Multivariable regression analysis showed that the patients with a higher urine albumin-creatinine ratio were more likely to have LVH (OR, 1.028; 95% CI, 1.015 to 1.041; P < .001). Other significant predictive factors for LVH in the model were diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and serum creatinine. Conclusions. Left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with microalbuminuria in patients with essential hypertension. These data are strengthening the role of microalbuminuria as an indicator of high cardiovascular risk.