Inflammatory markers are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in a population-based sample of elderly men and women.

Markers of inflammation have previously been related to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy (LVH) in uremic and hypertensive patients. The present study investigated inflammatory markers in relation to LV geometry and diastolic function in a population of elderly persons. In the population-based Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study (1016 men and women 70 years of age), echocardiograms to determine relative wall thickness (RWT), LV mass index (LVMI) and the E/A-ratio were obtained. Based on RWT and LVMI, four geometric subgroups were defined; normal, concentric remodeling, eccentric and concentric LVH. In all, 10 circulating inflammatory markers were measured. Higher levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and E-selectin were seen in the three abnormal geometry groups than in the normal group adjusting for gender, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and use of antihypertensive medication. Higher level of inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) and P-selectin were only seen in concentric LVH. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, l-selectin, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and leukocyte count did not differ between the LV groups. l-selectin and hsCRP were related to the E/A-ratio. The adhesion molecules; E-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, P-selectin and hsCRP were elevated in elderly persons with abnormal LV geometry, especially in concentric LVH, after adjusting for hypertension and obesity. l-selectin and hsCRP were related to LV diastolic function. Further studies are motivated to investigate a pathogenetic role of inflammation for abnormal LV geometry and function.