Relationship between mean platelet volume and morning blood pressure surge in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients

Abstract

Objective:

Morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) is an independent predictor of atherothrombotic cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. There is evidence from studies supporting the validity of mean platelet volume (MPV) as a marker of vascular risk and predictor of thrombotic complications. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between MPV and MBPS in hypertensive patients.

Methods:

Measurements were obtained from 298 patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension (Mean age 51.9±11.7 years). The patients were divided into two groups (MPV_low group; <10.8 fL, MPV_high group; ≥10.8 fL). The MBPS was calculated as mean systolic BP during the 2 hours after awaking minus the mean systolic BP during the 1 hour that included the lowest sleep BP.

Results:

MPV was independently associated with MBPS (β=0.554, p<0.001) and hs-CRP level (β=0.286, p<0.001).

Conclusion:

Finally, higher MPV values related to enhanced MBPS which are associated with atherothrombotic cardiovascular events.

Introduction

Essential hypertension (HT) is an established major independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. HT causes target organ damage by the direct physical effect of increased blood pressure (BP) as well as the active promotion of atherosclerosis and thrombogenesis (1, 2). Evidence for the prothrombotic or hypercoagulable state in HT has been shown. The main complications of HT are generally thrombotic in nature rather than hemorrhagic (3). Platelet dysfunction in hypertensive patients is a potential cause of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (4).

Mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation and size and it has been reported to increase in HT (5, 6). There is evidence from both retrospective and prospective studies supporting the validity of MPV as a marker of vascular risk and predictor of thrombotic complications at hypertensive patients (7, 8). On the other hand, occurrence of major cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and sudden cardiac death, peaks in the early morning hours (8-10).

Blood pressure (BP) also exhibits a similar diurnal variation, with a decrease during sleep and a surge in the morning (11). It has been shown that enhanced morning BP surge (MBPS) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events including composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, and heart failure requiring hospitalization in hypertensive patients (12-16).

In the present study, we hypothesized that ambulatory BP measurements (ABPM) including MBPS will be associated with platelet size. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between MPV and ABPM values in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

Methods

Study populations

In Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital between January 2013 and June 2013, 344 patients with newly diagnosed essential HT according to office BP measurements enrolled to this prospective cross-sectional study. Exclusion criteria were secondary or malignant HT, heart failure, positive history or clinical signs of ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, valve disease, atrial fibrillation, receiving any drugs, renal insufficiency, hepatic dysfunction, major non-cardiovascular diseases such as autoimmune disease, hematological disease, cancer, thrombocytopenia and systemic inflammatory conditions, and known diabetes or fasting glycemia 126≥ mg/dL. Of 344 patients having office BP measurement ≥140/90 mm Hg, 46 patients were excluded because of their BP was normal according to ABPM (White coat HT). Measurements were obtained from 298 patients with newly diagnosed essential HT (mean age; 51.9±11.7 years, male/female; 111/187). Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study and written informed consent for participation in the study was obtained from all individuals.

Body mass index (BMI) was computed as weight divided by height squared (kg/m²). Body surface area of all subjects was computed (m²).

Blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure measurements

BP was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer in an office setting. Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were taken. Office BP measurements were done by the same person, following the guidance of the seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High BP, on at least two separate occasions on different days (17). Noninvasive 24 hours ABPM was performed with a portable, compact digital recorder (Tracker NIBP2, Delmar Reynolds Ltd., Hertford, UK) and analyzed using customized analytical software (Delmar Reynolds Medical Inc., Model 2169, Hertford, UK). All subjects wore an ABPM device for a single 24 h period. The device was programmed to inflate and record BP at pre-specified intervals (every 15 min during daytime hours and every 30 min during nighttime hours), which provided approximately 80 BP recordings during the 24 h period. The display of the ABPM was inactivated so that viewing each BP reading did not distract the subjects. For the analysis of the data reports, reports generated from a session of ABPM contained BP recordings for the entire 24 h, heart rate, mean arterial pressure and BP load, as well as summary statistics for the overall 24 h, daytime and nighttime periods. When the readings exceeded at least 80% of the total readings programmed for the testing period, the recording was considered valid and satisfactory.

Diagnosis of hypertension

In each subject, BP was measured on at least three separate days after 15 min of sitting comfortably and was then averaged. Each subject then underwent 24 h ABPM. Individuals who had systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg and/or a diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg in the office setting, and in ABPM, an average 24 h systolic BP>130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP >80 mm Hg, an average daytime systolic BP >135 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP >85 mm Hg or an average nighttime systolic BP >125 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP >75 mm Hg were diagnosed as hypertensive (18). In addition, the subjects who had a <10% reduction in BP from the daytime to the nighttime period were defined as NDH, and the subjects who had a BP reduction ≥10% from the daytime to the nighttime period were considered DH, and the subjects who had a BP reduction ≥20% from the daytime to the nighttime period were considered extreme DH (10).

Morning blood pressure surge

To calculate the MBPS, we determined the awake and asleep intervals from the subjects’ diary. The MBPS was determined as the difference between the average BP during the 2 hours after awakening and the lowest nighttime BP (ie, the average of the lowest BP and the 2 readings immediately preceding and after the lowest value) (11, 12).

Blood samples

Blood samples were drawn in the morning following a fasting period of 12 h. Glucose, creatinine and lipid profiles for blood samples were analyzed for each patient. MPV was measured from tripotassium EDTA (0.05 mL K3)-based anticoagulated blood samples drawn in the morning after a 20-minute rest, stored at +4°C and assessed by a Sysmex K-1000 autoanalyzer which uses optical light scatter (Block Scientific, Bohemia, New York) within 30 minutes of sampling. The patients were divided in to the median MPV values (MPV_low group; <10.8 fL, MPV_high group; ≥10.8 fL). HsCRP was measured with an autoanalyzer [Aeroset by using a commercial spectrophotometric kit (Scil Diagnostics GmbH, Viernheim, Germany)].

Echocardiography

Standard 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were performed using a commercially available echocardiographic machine (Vivid 7R GE Medical System, Horten, Norway). Left ventricule (LV) end-diastolic diameters (LVDd), end-diastolic interventricular septal thickness (IVSth) and end-diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness (PWth) were measured at end-diastole according to established standards of the American Society of Echocardiography (19). LV ejection fraction (EF) was determined by the biplane Simpson’s method (20).

Left ventricular mass (LVM) was calculated using the Devereux formula (21): LVM=1:04[(LVDd+IVSth+PWth)3 -(LVDd)3]-13.6.

Statistical analysis

All analyses were conducted using SPSS 17.0 (SPSS for Windows 17.0, Chicago, IL, USA). Comparison of categorical variables between the groups was performed using the chi-square (χ²) test. Analysis of normality was performed with the Kolmogorov– Smirnov test. Independent samples t-test was used in the analysis of continuous variables. The correlations between MPV and laboratory, hemodynamic, ABPM and echocardiographic parameters were assessed by the Pearson correlation test. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the independent associations of MPV. All significant (p<0.05) parameters in the univariate analysis were selected in the multivariate model. A two-tailed p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results

The patients were divided into two groups according to their median MPV values: MPV_low group 149 patients; <10.8 fL (mean age; 52.8±11.9, male/female: 54/95) and MPV_highgroup 149 patients; ≥10.8 fL (mean age: 50.9±11.4, male/female: 57/92). Comparison of baseline, laboratory, echocardiographic and clinical characteristics between the groups were showed in Table 1. Age, gender, BMI and frequencies of diabetes, smoking and hyperlipidemia were not differ between the groups (p>0.05, for all). hs-CRP levels were higher and platelet count were lower in MPV_high group compared with MPV_low group (p<0.05, for all). LVM, EF and the other parameters were not different between the groups (p>0.05, for all).

Table 1.

Comparison of baseline, echocardiographic and laboratory findings of groups

Variables	MPVlow Group (149 patients)	MPVhigh Group (149 patients)	P
Baseline characteristics
Age, years	52.8±11.9	50.9±11.4	0.152
Gender, male	54 (36.2%)	57 (38.3%)	0.405
BMI, kg/m2	30.7±5.3	30.8±5.7	0.973
Heart rate, beat/minute	78.7±11.8	80.2±11.7	0.287
Smoking, n (%)	33 (22.1%)	43 (28.9%)	0.116
Laboratory findings
Glucose, mg/dL	94.6±8.8	94.7±7.5	0.899
Total Chol, mg/dL	217.1±45.8	210.6±41.1	0.203
Triglyceride, mg/dL	179.2±91.8	179.2±84.6	0.997
HDL Chol, mg/dL	47.8±10.8	46.4±11.6	0.300
LDL Chol, mg/dL	145.5±35.1	145.7±34.2	0.969
Creatinin, mg/dL	0.82±0.43	0.82±0.22	0.850
hs-CRP, mg/dL	0.64±0.20	0.77±0.18	<0.001
Platelet count, x109/L	285.2±79.7	261.3±58.6	0.003
Echocardiographic findings
LAD, mm	36.4±3.9	36.8±4.3	0.442
LVID, mm	45.2±4.2	45.7±4.4	0.391
LVM, g	191.5±46.1	200.2±49.5	0.117
Ejection fraction, %	62.1±4.9	61.1±4.4	0.054

BMI - body mass index; Chol - cholesterol; HDL - high density lipoprotein; hs-CRP - high sensitive C reactive protein; LAD - left atrial diameter; LDL - low density lipoprotein; LVID - left ventricle internal diameter; LVM - left ventricle mass; MPV - mean platelet volume “chi-square”

Ambulatory blood pressure measurements (Table 2)

Table 2.

Office and ambulatory blood pressure measurements

Variables	MPVlow Group (149 patients)	MPVhigh Group (149 patients)	P
Blood pressure measurements (mm Hg)
Office SBP	160.4±17.9	159.1±18.6	0.530
Office DBP	98.7±10.0	97.1±9.6	0.162
Average 24-hours SBP	136.8±8.0	137.8±10.0	0.367
Average 24-hours DBP	83.8±7.8	84.5±8.0	0.434
Average daytime SBP	144.5±8.0	144.2±9.4	0.731
Average daytime DBP	91.0±6.7	90.7±6.9	0.715
Average nighttime SBP	129.0±10.2	131.3±12.7	0.093
Average nighttime DBP	76.6±10.4	78.3±10.4	0.157
Average morning SBP	145.3±7.8	144.8±9.2	0.560
Average morning DBP	91.6±11.6	91.7±9.6	0.760
Morning BP Surge	24.2±16.9	44.3±15.3	<0.001
Dipper hypertension, n (%)	72 (48.3%)	63 (42.3%)	0.176
Non-dipper hypertension, n (%)	70 (47.0%)	85 (57.0%)	0.049
Extreme dipper hypertension, n (%)	6 (4.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0.060

BP - blood pressure; DBP - diastolic blood pressure; MPV - mean platelet volume; SBP - systolic blood pressure

The frequency of non-dipper hypertension was higher in MPV_high group compared with MPV_low group (p<0.05). Average nighttime systolic BP value of MPV_high group was higher than MPV_low group, but there was no statistically significance (p>0.05). MBPS values were higher in MPV_high group compared with MPV_low group (p<0.05, for all).

Bivariate and multiple relationships of mean plateletvolume (Table 3)

Table 3.

Bivariate and multiple associations of mean platelet volume

Variables	Pearson correlation coefficient	P	Standardized β regression coefficients	P
hs-CRP, mg/dL	0.447	<0.001	0.286	<0.001
Platelet count, x109/L	-0.157	0.006	-0.073	0.093
Average nighttime SBP, mm Hg	0.158	0.006	-0.011	0.865
Non-dipper hypertension	0.221	<0.001	0.198	0.173
Dipper hypertension	-0.213	<0.001	0.111	0.289
Morning BP Surge, mm Hg	0.626	<0.001	0.554	<0.001

BP - blood pressure; hs-CRP - high sensitive C reactive protein

We did bivariate and multiple analysis for whole groups. MPV was associated with hs-CRP (r=0.447, p<0.001), platelet count (r=-0.157, p=0.006), average nighttime systolic BP (r=0.158, p=0.006), non-dipper hypertension (r=0.221, p<0.001), dipper hypertension (r=-0.213, p<0.001) and MBPS (r=-0.626, p<0.001) in bivariate analysis.

Multiple linear regression analysis showed that MPV was independently associated with hs-CRP (β=0.286, p<0.001) and MBPS (β=0.554, p<0.001) in hypertensive patients.

Relationships between MPV level with MBPS and hs-CRP were shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, respectively.

Figure 1.

Relationship between morning blood pressure surge and mean platelet volume

Figure 2.

Relationship between high sensitive C reactive protein and mean platelet volume

Discussion

In the present study, for the first time in literature, enhanced MBPS, but not 24-h BP, was found to be significantly associated with an increased platelet activity is reflected by MPV in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

Blood pressure (BP) is characterized with alteration of rhythm along 24 h in hypertensive patients. Several prospective studies have established that ABPM gives a better prediction of the risk of cardiovascular morbidity than office BP measurements (22). The rate of the morning surge in 24-hour ABPM is greater in hypertensive patients than in normotensive subjects. It has been proposed that the MBPS may be particularly harmful, since many of the cardiovascular morbid events show an increased frequency during the morning hours (12-16). Indeed, several large epidemiological studies have reported a circadian pattern of adverse cardiac events as well as cerebrovascular accidents, with a peak incidence of MI, sudden cardiac death, ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke occurring in the morning (06.00-12.00 h), after a nadir at night (9, 23). On the other hand, the studies investigating the association between cardiovascular events and MBPS have conflicting results. The most of study groups who have investigated the MBPS have suggested that an enhanced MBPS is highly correlated with cardiovascular events (12-14). In contrary, Verdecchia et al. (13). reported that blunted MBPS was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. The mechanisms involved in the morning increase in cardiovascular diseases have been unclear. However, it has been suggested that excessive MBPS upon awakening from sleep is thought to be one of the important contributors to this phenomenon (12).

Present study showed that MPV, which reflects platelet activity was independently associated with enhanced MBPS as well as hs-CRP. Recent prospective data raise the possibility that a hypercoagulable state is not merely a marker or consequence of target organ damage but may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients (24). In recent years, it has become evident that the prothrombotic state is present in hypertensive patients; particular attention has been directed toward the role of platelets in the pathogenesis of the complications of hypertension (7, 25). Kario et al. (12) reported that both excess MBPS and impaired coagulant or fibrinolytic activity were independently and additively associated with an increased risk of stroke in older hypertensive patients. However, in that study, authors reported that there was no association between the extent of MBPS and procoagulant or hypofibrinolytic activity (12). On the other hand, in another study, Kario et al. (26) showed that extent of MBPS was associated with increased activity of morning platelet aggregation in hypertensive patients. In hypertensive patients, the precise pathophysiological mechanisms between increased platelet activity and higher MBPS are still unknown. Several mechanisms may be responsible for this relationship. Altered platelet function in hypertensive patients, and a positive association between platelet aggregation and BP level have been reported (25). Platelets can be activated by excess BP increase itself or high shear stress at the site of atherosclerotic stenotic lesion (27). Moreover, neurohumoral factors such as sympathetic activity and the renin-angiotensinaldosterone system potentiated in the morning can affect not only MBPS but also platelet activation (12, 25). In this regard, increased platelet activity assessed with MPV may mediate the association between MBPS and cardiovascular events.

The present study also showed that MPV was independently associated with hs-CRP as well as MBPS. Previous studies showed that MPV is an inflammatory indicator in different diseases (28, 29). Circulating markers or mediators of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), are associated with the risk of atherothrombotic events (30). CRP contribute to platelet activation and thus increase the risk of coronary heart disease (30, 31). The correlation between MPV and hs-CRP indicates molecular interaction between activated platelets and inflammatory cells (31). Therefore, high MPV values may be part of low-grade chronic inflammation in hypertensive patients (5, 28).

Finally, the relationships between MPV with platelet count, systolic blood pressure and non-dipper pattern were reported in previous studies (32, 33). In present study, MPV was correlated with non-dipper hypertension, nighttime BP and platelet count in bivariate analysis. However, similar relationships were not observed in multivariate regression analysis.

Study limitations

Smoking may have an effect on MPV and EMBPS. However, frequencies of smoking in groups were not different. Also, coronary artery disease may affect MPV levels in this patient group. Although coronary angiography was not performed in our patients, patients with coronary artery disease has been excluded according to clinical characteristics and patient history, electrocardiography, and treadmill exercise test.

Conclusion

In conclusion, high MPV was independently associated with enhanced MBPS values as well as higher hs-CRP levels. Higher MPV values related to enhanced MBPS which are associated with atherothrombotic cardiovascular events.