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Pilot Study to See Postural Variation of Augmentation Index in Hypertensive Patients on Different Anti-Hypertensive Medications

Objectives: Augmentation index (AI), is a measurement of arterial stiffness, associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The current study focused on the variations in AI in both supine and sitting position for patient with hypertension and to look for effects of different anti-hypertensive medications on postural variations in AI. Methods: This study analysed AI in both supine and sitting position for patients with hypertension (n = 17). Variations in AI with posture were compared between hypertensive patients using ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers (CCB) and diuretics to see effects of different anti-hypertensives on postural AI variations. Measurement was be done by SphygmoCor, gold standard for non-invasive central pressures assessment. Statistics were done via paired t test and student's t test. A value of P < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Results: Significant postural changes of AI were not seen in hypertensive patients. AI decreased from sitting to supine was observed in hypertensive patients on ACE inhibitor/ARBs (P < 0.05). However, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and diuretics did not show significant variation of AI with postural changes. Conclusions: There was no significant postural variation in AI, in hypertensive patients except for patients on ACE inhibitors/ARBs. The significance of these findings will be studied further on larger group of patients in our centre.