The Relationship between the Parameters of Blood Pressure Variability and Arterial Wall Stiffness in Patients with Arterial Hypertension

The purpose of the research was to study the significance of blood pressure variability (BPV) in the assessment of arterial stiffness (AS) in patients with arterial hypertension (AH), and their possible relationship with the indicators of structural and functional remodeling of the myocardium, serum lipid spectrum, and homeostasis system. Materials and Methods: A total of 138 patients (mean age of 56.7 +/- 12.8) with AH were examined. All patients were twice divided consecutively into two groups: one on the basis of age (the age groups >= 60 years and <60 years), and another on the basis of the presence or absence of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). The age groups >= 60 years and <60 years did not differ in terms of blood pressure. The ISH and systolic-diastolic hypertension (SDH) subgroups did not significantly differ in sex composition and average 24-h SBP (131.2 +/- 8.6 mm Hg and 137.5 +/- 17.0 mmHg, respectively; P>0.05). In the ISH subgroup, average 24-h DBP was significantly lower than in the SDH subgroup: 74.5 +/- 4.8 mmHg and 87.4 +/- 10.9 mmHg. respectively (P=0.000). All patients underwent tlx following examinations: assessment of traditional risk factors, physical examination, clinical and biochemical laboratory methods, 12-lead ECG, echocardiography, 24-hour ABPM, assesment of the AS parameters, and measuring the carotidfemoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf). Results: The age group >= 60 years was characterized by a significant increase in AS compared to the age group <60 years. In the age group >= 60 years, the levels of daytime and nighttime pulse pressure (PP) and the variability of daytime SBP and PP were significantly higher than in the age group <60 years. The increase in AS was associated with an increase in the daytime and nighttime SBP and PP, with the variability of daytime SBP and PP. An increase in AS was also associated with an increase in the degree of the left ventricular myocardium remodeling. In ISH patients, compared to SDH patients, a significant increase in AS was found. ISH patients were characterized by a greater variability in the daily SBP and PP. The level of cardiovascular risk (CVR) in AH was associated with an increase in the daily variability of SBP, DBP and PP. Conclusion: In a comprehensive examination of patients with AH, it is advisable to perform ABPM with simultaneous determination of AS parameters. The increased AS and BPV mark the patients belonging to a higher CVR group.