From the Research
Ultrasound surveillance for patients with hypertension is generally recommended annually for those with specific risk factors or complications, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, renal artery stenosis, or secondary causes of hypertension, as supported by the most recent study 1. For patients with uncomplicated hypertension, routine ultrasound screening is not typically necessary. However, for patients with hypertension who have suspected target organ damage, an initial ultrasound evaluation is recommended, followed by annual surveillance. Some key points to consider when deciding on the frequency of ultrasound surveillance include:
- The presence of left ventricular hypertrophy, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality, as noted in 2 and 1
- The presence of renal artery stenosis or secondary causes of hypertension, which may require more frequent surveillance, as suggested by 2
- The size of abdominal aortic aneurysms, which may require more frequent surveillance for aneurysms >4.5 cm, although this is not directly addressed in the provided studies
- The presence of atherosclerotic disease or multiple cardiovascular risk factors, which may require more frequent carotid ultrasound surveillance, as suggested by 3 and 4
- The presence of chronic kidney disease, which may require more frequent surveillance due to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease, as noted in 4 and 5 It is essential to weigh the benefits and risks of ultrasound surveillance and consider the individual patient's risk factors and medical history when determining the frequency of surveillance, as supported by the most recent study 1.