Augmentation index in patients with different stages of hypertension

Aim. To assess the augmentation index (AIx) in hypertensive patients depending on stages of hypertension (HTN). Material and methods. Eighty-three people were examined: 62 patients with HTN and 21 patients of the control group. The subjects underwent a carotid duplex ultrasound and photoplethysmography to determine AIx. The results were processed using Statistica 10.0 software. Results. Patients with HT were divided into 3 groups: stage I HTN (n=23); stage II HTN (n=18); stage III HTN (n=21). AIx was significantly higher in all groups of hypertensive patients compared to the control group. AIx levels were higher in the groups with a higher stage of HTN. Correlations were found between AIx and intima-media thickness (IMT) (r=0,676, p<0,05), the presence (r=0,496, p<0,05) and the number of atherosclerotic plaques (ASP) (r=0,56, p<0,05), carotid stenosis percentage (r=0,564, p<0,05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the Aix level is significantly affected only by age, INT and the presence of ASP. According to the ROC-analysis, stage I HTN are characterized by Alx levels from -0,8 to 1,4% (sensitivity, 87,5%; specificity, 55%), stage II — 1,4-18,5% (sensitivity, 71%; specificity, 57,3%), and stage III >18,5% (sensitivity, 85,4%; specificity, 53%). Conclusion. With an increase in HTN stage, Alx significantly increases and directly correlates with IMT, the presence and amount of ASP, and the carotid stenosis percentage. The Alx level is influenced by age, IMT and the presence of ASP. ROC-analysis revealed the threshold values of Alx for each stage of hypertension.