P-wave dispersion and its relationship to aortic elasticity in young prehypertensive patients

Abstract

Background Prolonged P-wave duration (P dur) and increased P-wave dispersion (PWD) are independent predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertension. This study was designed to evaluate the possible relationship between aortic elasticity and PWD in young prehypertensive patients.MethodsTwenty-five newly diagnosed prehypertensive patients (18 men, mean age = 34 6 years) and 25 healthy control subjects (16 men, mean age = 33 6 years) were enrolled in the study. The P dur measurements were calculated using a 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG). Aortic elasticity parameters were derived from aortic diameters measured by echocardiography, and simultaneous blood pressure (BP) measurements by sphygmomanometry.ResultsThe baseline characteristics of patients with prehypertension were homogeneous with those of the controls. PWD and P maximum values were found to be higher in patients with prehypertension as compared to those of the controls (PWD; 65 ms vs. 35 ms, P 0.001; P maximum; 110 ms vs. 80 ms, P 0.001). However, P minimum values were not significantly different between the two groups (40 ms vs. 45 ms, P = 0.358). Also, a moderate positive correlation was found between stiffness index (SI) and PWD (r = 0.500, P = 0.011), and a moderate negative correlation between aortic elasticity parameters (aortic distensibility and strain indexes) and PWD (for aortic distensibility, r = 0.498, P = 0.011; for strain index, r = 0.578, P = 0.002), in patients with prehypertension.ConclusionsYoung patients with prehypertension have increased PWD and arterial stiffness. These parameters are correlated and may pose additional risk factors for future cardiovascular events. © 2009 American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd.