C-reactive Protein is an Independent Predictor of Left Ventricular Mass in Offspring of Hypertensive Subjects in Nigeria

Abstract

Offspring of hypertensive parents have been shown to be at increased risk of developing systemic hypertension and adverse cardiovascular events later in life. The pathological antecedents of this are thought to be alterations in the structure and function of left ventricle. However, it is currently unclear if these abnormalities are due to genetic factors or a result of higher biomarker levels such as highly sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP). An improved understanding of the associations of hsCRP with left ventricular structure may offer additional insight. Therefore, this study aims at determining the correlation of left ventricular mass with hsCRP among offspring of hypertensive parents compared with controls. Methodology: A cross sectional Hospital based study, with 100 subjects and 100 controls. A questionnaire was administered to obtain relevant history, physical examination, blood tests, ECG, Echocardiography were done for the two groups. The results were analysed using SPSS 20.  Results: The left ventricular mass and mass index was significantly elevated in the subjects compared with the control group. The median hsCRP was significantly higher in the subjects [1.85 (0.28-10.20) vs. 1.34 (0.17-8.49) mg/L: P < 0.010]. It progressively increases significantly as the number of parent with hypertension increases [1.34 (0.17-8.49), 2.00(0.28-9.66) and 2.54(0.91-10.20) mg/L P < 0.001] from zero, to single and both parent respectively. There was a significant correlation between hsCRP levels, blood pressure, left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index (R = 0.165, 0.316, 0.274: P = 0.021, 0.004, 0.014) respectively. Conclusion: The study shows that offspring of hypertensive parents had higher echocardiographic left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index and hsCRP levels compared with controls and this hsCRP increases as the number of parents with hypertension increases. Blood pressure and left ventricular mass index increase with increasing Plasma hsCRP: This may suggest possible role of hsCRP in the development of hypertension and cardiac remodeling.