Relationship Between Hypertension and Basilar Atherosclerosis in Chinese Han Population: A High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study

Objective: To investigate the relationship between hypertension and basilar atherosclerosis evaluated by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) in the Chinese Han population. Methods: High resolution-MRI vessel wall imaging was performed in selected 193 patients for various indications. Multivariable logistic regression models based on odds ratio (OR) with their associated 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the relationship between hypertension and basilar artery (BA) plaque, moderate or severe stenosis of BA plaque, and vulnerable plaque. A linear regression model was used to assess the relationship between hypertension and BA plaque numbers. Results: Patients with hypertension had a higher proportion of BA plaque and vulnerable plaque as well as more number of enhancements of BA plaque and serious plaque compared with normotensive patients (all values of p < 0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that patients with hypertension had an increased risk for and more number of enhancements of BA plaque (adjusted-OR: 4.32, 95% CI 1.89-9.88, p < 0.001; adjusted- b: 0.55, 95% CI 0.14-0.96, p = 0.009, respectively) and had a higher proportion of moderate or severe stenosis of BA plaque and vulnerable plaque (adjusted-OR: 3.08, 95% CI 0.77-12.32, p = 0.111; adjusted-OR: 4.52, 95% CI 1.50-13.64, p = 0.007, respectively) compared with the normotensive group. Moreover, there was a saturation effect of age on the prevalence of BA plaque and vulnerable plaque. Conclusion: Hypertension was the independent risk factor of BA plaque and vulnerable plaque assessed by HR-MRI in the Chinese Han population.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hypertension and basilar atherosclerosis in the Chinese Han population using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI). The results showed that patients with hypertension had a higher prevalence of basilar artery (BA) plaque and vulnerable plaque, as well as more enhancements and serious plaques in the BA compared to normotensive patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension was an independent risk factor for BA plaque and vulnerable plaque. Additionally, age was found to have a saturation effect on the prevalence of BA plaque and vulnerable plaque.