The correlation between central blood pressure and carotid intima media thickness in the hypertensives

Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate the relationship and correlation between central blood pressure and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in the hypertensives. Subjects - Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study compared a control group in 210 study subjects (including 105 hypertensives and 105 normotensives). Results: There was a statistically significant positive correlation with moderate level between peripheral systolic blood pressure, central systolic blood pressure, peripheral pulse pressure, central pulse pressure and carotid intima media thickness (r was equal to 0.402, 0.436, 0.368, 0.421 respectively, p< 0.001). Central pulse pressure had a weak ability to delineate in the diagnosis of carotid intima-media damage in the hypertensives, AUC = 0.649, p < 0.05. CIMT (R2: 22,4%) = 0.289 – 0.094*(Gender) + 0.004*(Age) + 0.004*(Central mean blood pressure) + 0.005*(Central pulse pressure). Conclusions: Central blood pressure was correlated with carotid intima media thickness in hypertensive patients. Key words: central blood pressure, pulse pressure, carotid intima media thickness