Speakers - 2026

Title: Arterial Stiffness, Inflammatory Pathways, and Cardiovascular Remodeling in Hypertensive Patients: A Multimodal Imaging and Biomarker Approach

Abstract

Background: Arterial stiffness and chronic vascular inflammation are central mechanisms in hypertension-related cardiovascular remodeling. However, integrated evidence combining multimodal imaging and circulating biomarkers in Southeast Asian populations remains limited.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness, inflammatory pathways, and cardiovascular remodeling using a multimodal imaging and biomarker approach in hypertensive patients.

Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional analytical study was conducted involving 500 hypertensive patients recruited from ten Type B hospitals in Indonesia. Arterial stiffness was assessed using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV). Cardiovascular remodeling was evaluated through echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Inflammatory biomarkers included high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Multivariate regression analysis was performed.

Results: Mean cf-PWV was significantly elevated in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (p < 0.001). Elevated IL-6 and hs-CRP were independently associated with increased arterial stiffness (β = 0.41 and β = 0.38, respectively). Multimodal imaging demonstrated concentric remodeling in 62.4% of participants. Inflammatory burden was strongly correlated with myocardial mass index (r = 0.67, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Arterial stiffness, inflammatory activation, and structural cardiac remodeling are tightly interconnected in hypertension. Integrated imaging and biomarker profiling enhances cardiovascular risk stratification.

Keywords: arterial stiffness, hypertension, inflammation, cardiac remodeling, multimodal imaging, biomarkers