5B.06: ASSOCIATION OF PLASMA TESTOSTERONE WITH CENTRAL HAEMODYNAMICS IN HYPERTENSIVE MEN. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pietri, P.; Vlachopoulos, C.; Ioakeimidis, N.; Aggelis, A.; Terentes-Printzios, D.; Paschalidis, E.; Abdelrasoul, M.; Gourgouli, I.; Gravos, A.; Tousoulis, D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hypertension. Volume 33(2015)Supplement 1
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension -- Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000467529.20370.8f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-5598

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: There is evidence for an inverse association between plasma testosterone and blood pressure. Recently, low plasma testosterone was associated with increased risk of major cardiovascular events in middle-aged hypertensive men. Central (aortic) blood pressures predict cardiovascular mortality with equal ability compared to peripheral (brachial) blood pressures. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship of plasma total testosterone (TT) with peripheral and central haemodynamics in hypertensive men. Design and method: We studied 70 non-diabetic, hypertensive men (mean age = 60 years old). Office brachial systolic (bSBP) and diastolic (bDBP) blood pressures were measured according to the ESH guidelines. Pulse pressure (bPP) was calculated as SBP minus DBP. All patients were subject to measurement of aortic systolic (aoSBP), diastolic (aoDBP) and pulse pressures (aoPP) by pulse wave analysis using the Sphygmocor device. Wave reflections were assessed by the measurement of heart-rate corrected augmentation index (AIx75). Plasma TT was measured in all subjects by enzyme immunoassay. Results: The mean value of TT in the whole population was 4.6 ng/ml (hypogonadism was defined as TT < 3.4 ng/ml). Plasma TT was inversely and significantly related to aoSBP (r = -0.26, p = 0.03), aoPP (r = -0.30, p = 0.01) and AIx75 (r = -0.31, p = 0.01) but only marginally related to bSBP (r = -0.22, p = 0.07) and bPP (r = -0.23, p = 0.06). In linear regression analysis, after adjustment for age, smoking, BMI, plasma glucose, total cholesterol and presence of antihypertensive treatment, aoSBP (b = -0.29, p = 0.03), aoPP (b = -0.31, p = 0.02) and AIx75 (b = -0.30, p = 0.03) were independently associated with TT but the relationship of TT with bSBP (b = -0.25, p = 0.06) and bPP (b = -0.23, p = 0.07) remained weak. Conclusions: In hypertensive men, plasma TT is independently and inversely associated with central blood pressures and wave reflections. Considering the adverse prognostic role of central blood pressures on cardiovascular outcomes, the present finding might explain part of the increased cardiovascular risk associated with low testosterone. Whether measurement of central haemodynamics may improve risk stratification in men with low testosterone, warrants further investigation.