Relationship between blood aldosterone and somatometric parameters in patients with chronic heart failure and preserved ejection fraction of left ventricle

Abstract

Blood aldosterone level is an independent predictor of aggravated prognosis in patients with cardiovascular disorders. Synthesis of this hormone and its activity can determine the amount of adipose tissue in the body, but this dependence is poorly known in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Aim. To analyse the relationship between blood aldosterone level and somatometric parameters in patients with CHF and preserved ejection fraction of left ventricle (LV). Materials and methods. This prospective cohort study included 56 patients (38 men and 18 women, mean age 59.4±3.4 yr) with CHF and preserved (>45%) ejection fraction of left ventricle. We determined BMI, waist (WC) and hip (HC) circumference, WC/HC ratio, and serum aldosterone level, its reference value being 40-160 pg/ml. Results. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on results of laboratory studies. Group 1 included 34 patients with practically normal blood aldosterone level, group 2 comprised 22 patients with hyperaldosteronemia. Those in group 1 had significantly higher BMI, WC and WC/HC ratio. They more frequently presented with abdominal obesity. Aldosterone level positively correlated with WC (r=0.642), WC/HC ratio (r=0.785) and the length of the history of arterial hypertension (Ro=0.848). It negatively correlated with the age (r=-0.346, in all cases p <0.05. No significant correlation with BMI was documented (r=0.012, p=0.902). Conclusion. In patients with chronic heart failure and preserved ejection fraction of left ventricle, blood aldosterone level is closely related to somatometric parameters being directly proportional to WC and WC/HC but unrelated to BMI. Abdominal obesity is associated with increased risk of hyperaldosteronemia (relative risk 3.4, 95% CI 1.7-6.6).