Abstract
Background:
Non-dipper blood pressure (NDBP) is one of the important causes of hypertension-related target organ damage and future cardiovascular events. Currently, there is no practical tool to predict NDBP pattern.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between aortic arch calcification (AAC) on chest radiography and NDBP pattern.
Methods:
All patients referred for ambulatory BP monitoring test were approached for the study participation. NDBP was defined as the reduction of ≤10% in nighttime systolic BP as compared to the daytime values. AAC was evaluated with chest radiography and inter-observer agreement was analyzed by using kappa statistics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association of AAC and NDBP pattern. A 2-tailed p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
A total of 406 patients (median age: 51.3) were included. Of these, 261(64%) had NDBP pattern. Overall, the prevalence of AAC was 230 (57%). Non-dipper group had significantly higher prevalence of AAC (70% vs. 33%, p < 0.0001) as compared to the dipper group. Presence of AAC was a strong and independent predictor of NDBP pattern (OR 3.919, 95%CI 2.39 to 6.42) in multivariate analysis.
Conclusions:
Presence of AAC on plain chest radiography is strongly and independently associated with the presence of NDBP pattern.
Keywords:
Thoracic, Aorta/physiopathology; Calcification; Calcinosis; Cardiomyopathies; Hypertension/imaging diagnosis; Ventricular Function,Left; Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use; Blood Pressure Monitoring Ambulatory; Heart Rate
