P-176: Microalbuminuria is associated to unfavorable alterations in arterial pressure waveform shape in untreated essential hypertensive subjects

It is identified that a slight increase in urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and an impaired arterial mechanics are risk factors for future cardiovascular disease in the setting of essential hypertension. In the present study we sought to determine the relationship between microalbuminuria (MA) and arterial pressure waveform in essential hypertensive patients. Microalbuminuria was determined in 3 non-consecutive 24-h urine samples as UAE of 20–200mg/24h in a group of 130 untreated hypertensive subjects. Arterial pressure waveform was expressed as the augmentation index (AIx) and was recorded by carotid applanation tonometry. The AIx was calculated as the ratio of the augmented pressure (i.e., the difference between the early and late systolic shoulder) to pulse pressure. The pooled population was classified, according to the arterial pressure waveform contour, as type A (AIx>0.12), type B (0