Central aortic pressure, arterial stiffness and echocardiographic parameters of children with overweight/obesity and arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: A non-invasive estimation of central aortic pressure and echocardiographic parameters, and appropriate interpretation thereof make it possible to determine the status of the vascular wall and myocardium. These parameters are early markers of unfavorable remodeling of the cardiovascular system.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the central aortic pressure and echocardiographic parameters of overweight/obese children (with or without concomitant arterial hypertension).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 84 children (mean age: 15 years) - 45 with primary arterial hypertension, 39 normotensive, and 38 controls. Central aortic systolic (cSys) and diastolic (cDia) pressures, pulse wave augmentation index (Aix@75), peripheral resistance, pulse wave reflection and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were determined by means of brachial oscillometry. A number of echocardiographic parameters were recorded.

RESULTS: Obese children with arterial hypertension showed the highest values of cSys, cDia and PWV, as well as interventricular septal end-diastolic thickness (IVS), left atrial diameter (LAD), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), elongation index and cardiac output (CO). Patient age, cSYS, cDIA and LAD were identified as significant predictors of PWV. The groups did not differ in terms of Aix@75, peripheral resistance and pulse wave reflection values.

CONCLUSIONS: Children with overweight/obesity present with elevated values of cSys, PWV, LVMI, LAD and CO. The risk of these abnormalities is further increased due to concomitant arterial hypertension.