Assessment of microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients with established coronary artery disease

Objectives. Cardiovascular risk assessment is continuously improving due to a better understanding of the atherosclerotic pathomechanism by investigating new risk factors. Microalbuminuria is known as a predictor of renal, as well as cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical relevance of microalbuminuria and its relationship with traditional cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive high-risk patients with established coronary artery disease. Methods. We have collected clinical and laboratory data from 94 hypertensive patients (currently treated or newly diagnosed) with known coronary artery disease (angiographically documented) admitted in the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. From January 2012 to April 2013 they were screened for microalbuminuria. For the diagnosis of microalbuminuria, a first-morning urine sample was analyzed by immunoturbidimetry (MAU range: 20-200 mg/l, the microalbuminuric group). Patients with urinary albumin excretion >200 mg/l were excluded. Patients with values <20 mg/l were considered the normoalbuminuric group. Results. A large percentage (53.2%) of the study group was found with microalbuminuria. Patients with microalbuminuria were older, mostly male, with a longer duration of hypertension, and with a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). None of the traditional cardiovascular risk factors - age, male gender, obesity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia - indicated a statistical significance in relation with MAU. Although left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) didn't influence the level of microalbuminuria, a strong correlation was achieved with the presence of LVH (p=0.005) and duration of hypertension (p=0.046). Conclusion. Hypertensive high-risk patients should be routinely screened for microalbuminuria and when confirmed they may need a more aggressive medical therapy to lower the cardiovascular risk.