Radial augmentation index associated with increase in B-type natriuretic peptide in patients with hypertension

BNP level was significantly higher in the patients classified into the highest tertile of r-AI. In echocardiography, e′, which is index of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, decreased and LV mass index (LVMI) increased gradually with r-AI, whereas there was no difference in LV ejection fraction (LVEF). r-AI significantly correlated with LVMI (r = 0.35, p < 0.01) and e′ (r = − 0.30, p < 0.05). In univariate analysis, age, heart rate, r-AI, LVEF, e′ and LVMI were significantly correlated with BNP level, whereas multivariate analysis demonstrated that only r-AI and LVEF correlated with BNP level. In conclusion, an increase in r-AI was significantly associated with an increase in BNP level in hypertensive patients without LVSD. LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction associated with increase in r-AI may be involved in increase in BNP level.