P65 GENDER DIFFERENCES OF AORTIC WAVE REFLECTION AND INFLUENCE OF MENOPAUSE ON CENTRAL BLOOD PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

Background: Evidences suggest that central hemodynamics indexes are independent predictors of future cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Multiple factors have been pointed to have potential influence on central aortic function: height, heart rate, left ventricular ejection duration and blood pressure level. Data related to the influence of gender and postmenopausal status on aortic wave form reflection is scarce. Methods: In a cross sectional study 122 hypertensive patients (52 men and 70 women) were studied. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure (BP) levels ≥140/90 mmHg or use of antihypertensive drugs. Central arterial pressure, augmentation index (AIx) and augmentation index normalized to 75bpm (Alx75) were obtained using applanation tonometry. Menopause and postmenopause history were accessed by a direct questionnaire. Postmenopause was defined as at least one year since last menstruation. Patients were paired by age, gender and menopausal status and 4 groups were compared: group 1 (young men, ≤48y), group 2 (young women, ≤48y), group 3 (older men, >48y) and group 4 (older women, >48y). Results: Height and weight were significantly lower in women than in men at the same age. Conversely, Alx (32.7±9.8% vs. 20.1±11.7%, p < 0.01), Alx75 (29.6±6.7% vs. 18.3±9.4%, p < 0.01) and central systolic blood pressure (136±30 vs. 125±23 mmHg, p = 0.03) were higher in women than men. The menopausal women had the worst indexes of aortic wave reflection. Conclusion: Women patients had both higher reflected aortic pressure wave form and central blood pressure indexes and these findings were worsened by the menopausal status.