Presence of aortic arch calcification on chest radiography was strongly and independently associated with a non-dipper blood pressure pattern (OR 3.919; 95% CI 2.39-6.42).
Observational (n=406)
Is aortic arch calcification on routine chest radiography associated with a non-dipper blood pressure pattern in patients referred for ambulatory BP monitoring?
Aortic arch calcification on routine chest radiography is strongly and independently associated with a non-dipper blood pressure pattern, suggesting its potential utility as a simple predictive tool.
Odds Ratio: 3.919 (95% CI 2.39–6.42)
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.
Adar et al. (Wed,) conducted a observational in Referred for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (n=406). Aortic arch calcification vs. Absence of aortic arch calcification was evaluated on Non-dipper blood pressure pattern (OR 3.919, 95% CI 2.39-6.42). Presence of aortic arch calcification on chest radiography was strongly and independently associated with a non-dipper blood pressure pattern (OR 3.919; 95% CI 2.39-6.42).