In adults, initial stages of hypertension are associated with elevated sympathetic drive and significant alterations in indirect autonomic markers. There is growing evidence that children in the highest-pressure percentiles will be more likely to develop hypertension in adulthood, although mechanisms are not understood. We assessed whether computer analysis of RR interval and arterial blood pressure variability could detect early autonomic alterations in childhood hypertension, as assessed by noninvasive time and frequency domain measures of baroreflex regulation. We studied 75 children, subdivided in 3 subgroups of similar age (9.7±0.2 years): control subjects, prehypertensive children (ie, children with arterial pressure values >90th and <95th percentile for age, gender, and height), and children in the hypertensive range (ie, >95th percentile; systolic arterial pressure: 97±3/57±2, 121±5/70±1, and 128±2/80±2 mm Hg, respectively). We observed that hypertensive children demonstrate a significant impairment of the baroreflex as compared with control subjects (index α: 20±2 and 40±4 ms/mm Hg; spontaneous baroreflex slope: 20±2 and 37±5; ms/mm Hg; P <0.05 in both cases) and reduced RR variance. A similar baroreflex impairment is also observed in children whose arterial pressure falls short of this limit, ie, in the prehypertensive range. In conclusion, hypertensive children display a marked baroreflex impairment. A similar baroreflex impairment is also observed in the prehypertensive state. Baroreflex assessment could furnish additional information in the clinical assessment of pediatric hypertension. © 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.

Genovesi, S., Pieruzzi, F., Giussani, M., Tono, V., Stella, A., Porta, A., et al. (2008). Analysis of heart period and arterial pressure variability in childhood hypertension: key role of baroreflex impairment. HYPERTENSION, 51(5), 1289-1294 [10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.109389].

Analysis of heart period and arterial pressure variability in childhood hypertension: key role of baroreflex impairment

GENOVESI, SIMONETTA CARLA;PIERUZZI, FEDERICO UMBERTO EMILIO GUGLIE;STELLA, ANDREA;
2008

Abstract

In adults, initial stages of hypertension are associated with elevated sympathetic drive and significant alterations in indirect autonomic markers. There is growing evidence that children in the highest-pressure percentiles will be more likely to develop hypertension in adulthood, although mechanisms are not understood. We assessed whether computer analysis of RR interval and arterial blood pressure variability could detect early autonomic alterations in childhood hypertension, as assessed by noninvasive time and frequency domain measures of baroreflex regulation. We studied 75 children, subdivided in 3 subgroups of similar age (9.7±0.2 years): control subjects, prehypertensive children (ie, children with arterial pressure values >90th and <95th percentile for age, gender, and height), and children in the hypertensive range (ie, >95th percentile; systolic arterial pressure: 97±3/57±2, 121±5/70±1, and 128±2/80±2 mm Hg, respectively). We observed that hypertensive children demonstrate a significant impairment of the baroreflex as compared with control subjects (index α: 20±2 and 40±4 ms/mm Hg; spontaneous baroreflex slope: 20±2 and 37±5; ms/mm Hg; P <0.05 in both cases) and reduced RR variance. A similar baroreflex impairment is also observed in children whose arterial pressure falls short of this limit, ie, in the prehypertensive range. In conclusion, hypertensive children display a marked baroreflex impairment. A similar baroreflex impairment is also observed in the prehypertensive state. Baroreflex assessment could furnish additional information in the clinical assessment of pediatric hypertension. © 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
hypertension, pediatrics, baroreceptors, autonomic nervous system, lifestyle
English
2008
51
5
1289
1294
none
Genovesi, S., Pieruzzi, F., Giussani, M., Tono, V., Stella, A., Porta, A., et al. (2008). Analysis of heart period and arterial pressure variability in childhood hypertension: key role of baroreflex impairment. HYPERTENSION, 51(5), 1289-1294 [10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.109389].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/8310
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