Inter-arm difference of systolic blood pressure measured by automated double-cuff device is associated with arterial stiffness in patients with hypertension

Purpose Inter-arm differences of SBP ≧5 mmHg have been associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortalities in hypertensive subjects. Inter-arm differences of SBP appears to be mediated by arterial stiffness. We hypothesized inter-arm differences of SBP ≧5 mmHg may be related to higher pulse pressure/stroke volume index, a surrogate marker of arterial stiffness. Materials and methods To obtain inter-arm differences of SBP (the absolute difference of right and left arm) and ankle-brachial index, bilateral blood pressures were measured simultaneously at the four limbs using an automated oscillometric device in patients with treated hypertension (n = 234) and in normotensive subjects (n = 40). Pulse pressure was calculated as SBP–DBP. Stroke volume was obtained by time-velocity integral method using echocardiography. Left ventricular mass and relative wall thickness were calculated by the conventional methods. Results All hypertensive patients were medically treated and had average blood pressure levels of 135/85 mmHg. Inter-arm differences of SBP ≧5 mmHg was detected in 26.5% of hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients with inter-arm differences of SBP ≧5 mmHg had higher pulse pressure/stroke volume index, lower ankle-brachial index, higher BMI, and higher relative wall thickness, higher prevalence of female than those with inter-arm differences of SBP
Source: Blood Pressure Monitoring - Category: Cardiology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research