Jazwiec P, et al. - In patients with arterial hypertension, the link between the American Heart Association (AHA) Cardiovascular Health (CVH) Score and the volume of carotid body (V_rCB+lCB) estimated based on computed tomography angiography (CTA) was investigated. In CTA of carotid arteries of the studied group of patients, researchers found an inversely proportional dependence between the Cardiovascular Health Score and the size of carotid body.

Methods

• Study included 57 patients with arterial hypertension (70.74±8.21 years old).
• Calculation of the Cardiovascular Health Score as well as CTA of carotid arteries for all patients was carried out.
• On the basis of delayed phase imaging obtained from CTA of carotid arteries, the CB analysis was carried out.
• The CVH Score value was used to determine cardiovascular health as optimal (CVH Score between 10-14 points), average (5-9 points) or inadequate (0-4 points).

Results

• The CVH Score was 6.53±1.81, V_rCB+lCB - 38.58±18.43 mm³ in this group of patients.
• Statistically significantly higher V_rCB+lCB was reported for patients with an inadequate CVH Score (0-4 points) and, vs patients with an optimal CVH Score (10-14 points), these subjects were fraught with V_rCB+lCB ≥ median much more often.
• As indicated by ROC curve, for predicting V_rCB+lCB ≥ median, a CVH Score value of 6 was identified as an optimal cut-off point.
• The CVH Score ≤6 criterion designates V_rCB+lCB≥ median with sensitivity of 58.6% and specificity of 71.4%.
• Regression analysis revealed independent risk factors for higher V_rCB+lCB were lower partial scores for physical activity, healthy diet score and blood pressure in the AHA CVH evaluation.