Sex-specific predictors of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in untreated hypertension

Abstract

Background

Little is known about the sex-specific differences in left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) predictors. We hypothesized that arterial stiffness (AS) may play a different role in the etiology of LV DD in hypertensive men and postmenopausal women, acting independently from other established predictors of this condition, such as age, obesity, diabetes mellitus, LV remodeling, and systolic function.

Objectives

The aim of the study was to analyze the sex-specific differences in AS and other predictors of LV DD in men and postmenopausal women with untreated hypertension (HTN).

Patients and methods

The study included 144 patients (63 postmenopausal women and 81 men, mean age 62.7±6.7 years) with previously untreated HTN and no history of cardiovascular diseases. All patients were subjected to detailed echocardiography, vascular ultrasound, and high-resolution echotracking (eTracking) of carotid arteries.

Results

In the multivariate analysis, concomitant diabetes mellitus turned out to be an independent predictor of LV DD in women (P=0.02). In turn, two independent predictors of LV DD have been identified in men: S′-tissue Doppler-derived peak LV longitudinal systolic shortening velocity (P=0.001) and β, beta stiffness index (P=0.004).

Conclusion

There are sex differences in the predictors of LV DD in untreated HTN. In postmenopausal women, LV DD is mostly determined by diabetes, while in men, it is determined by S′, reflecting LV systolic longitudinal function, and β, a parameter of AS.

Keywords:

• sex differences
• left ventricular diastolic dysfunction
• hypertension

Author contributions

JJ and KŁG conceived the idea for the study. JJ, KŁG, and OV contributed to the design of the research. All authors were involved in data collection. JJ and KŁG analyzed the data. All authors edited and approved the final version of the manuscript. All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and revising the paper and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.