PREVALENCE OF MICROALBUMINURIA WITH ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE IN A SOUTH INDIAN POPULATION.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Sheela Krishna Murthy,
No. A-104,
Gagan Castle Apartment,
Rajarajeshwari Nagar,
Bangalore-560098,
Karnataka, India.
E-mail: sheelakm@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Microalbuminuria, or a moderate increase in the level of urine albumin, is now regarded as a risk factor for atherosclerosis. To reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, management strategies are focusing more on preventive measures with early detection of markers of atherosclerosis. This study focuses on microalbuminuria, which is gaining recognition as a simple marker of atherosclerosis. Patients with microalbuminuria are at a greater risk for ischemic heart disease. An electrocardiogram, or ECG, can give information about heart disease, but reports relating ECG characteristics with and without microalbuminuria are lacking. In this clinical observational project, ischemic ECG findings of patients with microalbuminuria were studied. We wanted to determine the association between microalbuminuria and ischemic heart disease in a South Indian population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted within a cohort of 202 patients, aged 40 years or older. All patients underwent routine blood investigations, urine analysis examination and a resting 12-lead ECG and were screened for microalbuminuria and risk factors for coronary artery disease as well as ischemic ECG abnormalities.

RESULTS

Conduction abnormalities were less commonly seen in patients with some amount of proteinuria (8%). ECG abnormalities, especially left ventricular hypertrophy +/- strain pattern, were seen in about one-third patients with proteinuria (35%). ST segment changes (elevation or depressions) were seen more in patients with co-existing comorbidities, like Type 2 diabetes mellitus or obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the importance of early detection of microalbuminuria and screening for asymptomatic coexisting cardiac disorders. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that identification of microalbuminuria leads to further evaluation of coronary artery disease regardless of other comorbid conditions.

KEY WORDS

Microalbuminuria, CAD, ECG, IHD, Proteinuria, Atherosclerosis