Serum cystatin C concentration as an independent marker for hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy

Background Serum cystatin C levels can be used to predict morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, the clinical relevance of serum cystatin C levels in patients with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has rarely been investigated. We designed the present study to investigate whether serum cystatin C levels are associated with cardiac structural and functional alterations in hypertensive patients. Methods We enrolled 823 hypertensive patients and classified them into two groups: those with LVH (n = 287) and those without LVH (n = 536). All patients underwent echocardiography and serum cystatin C testing. We analyzed the relationship between serum cystatin C levels and LVH. Results Serum cystatin C levels were higher in hypertensive patients with LVH than in those without LVH (P r = 0.247, P r = 0.216, P r = 0.347, P P P P Conclusion Serum cystatin C concentration is an independent marker for hypertensive LVH.