Cardiovascular Effects of a Single Slow Release Lanreotide Injection in Patients with Acromegaly and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

In our study we assessed the effects of a single i.m. injection of slow-release Lanreotide (30 mg) (SR-L), a new long-acting somatostain analog, on circulating GH levels, baseline cardiac function (M-mode, 2D guided, doppler-echocardiographic study) and cardiopulmonary response to exercise (cycloergometric test, performed using a computer drived, electrically braked cycle ergometer), tested at baseline, after 7 and 14 days from the injection in 10 acromegalic patients (5 M, 5 F, mean age 57.7 ± 3.1 yrs, body mass index (BMI) 27 ± 0.8 kg/m², blood pressure 141 ± 6.5/82 ± 3 mmHg). SR-L administration decreased GH levels in acromegalic patients (mean±SEM) from 16.1 ± 6.9 to 10.8 ± 5.1 µg/L (p = 0.045) after 7 days and to 11.9 ± 5 µg/L (p = 0.078) after 14 days from the injection. Moreover, we observed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in systolic blood pressure and heart rate at the 7th (135 ± 6.1 vs 141 ± 6.5 mmHg, and 68 ± 2.1 vs 74 ± 2.1 bpm) and 14th (137 ± 6.2 vs 141 ± 6.5 mmHg, and 72 ± 2 vs 74 ± 2.1 bpm) day of the study with respect to the baseline values. After SR-L administration we also found an increase in ejection fraction (69 ± 2 vs 63 ± 2.3% at 7th day, p = 0.006; 65 ± 2.3 vs 63 ± 2.3% at the 14th day, p = 0.027) and shortening fraction (40.8 ± 1.8 vs 36.6 ± 1.9% at 7th day, p = 0.005; 38.7 ± 1.8 vs 36.6 ± 1.9% at the 14th day, p = 0.045). The positive acute cardiac response to SR-L injection was also demonstrated by the increase in A/E velocity ratios at 7th (1.14 ± 0.1 vs 0.98 ± 0.07, p = 0.016) and 14th (1.04 ± 0.08 vs 0.98 ± 0.07, p = 0.008) day of the study. After SR-L injection, exercise capacity and VO₂ at anaerobic thresold were also increased with respect to the baseline test: 61.1 ± 8.2 vs 38.9 ± 6.8 watts (p = 0.002) and 1012.4 ± 71.5 vs 915.3 ± 77.8 mL/min (p = 0.033) after 7 days, and 61.4 ± 7.2 vs 38.9 ± 6.8 watts (p = 0.002) and 1010.1 ± 62.5 vs 915.3 ± 77.8 mL/min (p = 0.010) after 14 days from the injection. In conclusion, these results suggest that in acromegalic patients: (1) SR-L causes a rapid improvement in baseline cardiac function and in cardiopulmonary performance during exercise in acromegaly; (2) the endocrine (decrease in GH levels) and echocardiographic responses to SR-L are maximal after 7 days from the injection, whereas the effect of SR-L on the exercise performance are longer lasting.     

Pitfalls in the Biochemical Assessment of Acromegaly

The biochemical assessment for newly recognized acromegaly is in most, but not all patients straightforward. Although significant improvements in the methods of biochemical testing for acromegaly have recently been made, major pitfalls to the assessment of this disease still exist. A number of different schemes have been employed for the assessment of GH secretion in clinical practice. Random GH levels have been often used, but remain unreliable for the assessment of acromegaly. Mean GH levels are also frequently used to assess GH status, but are not specific for the diagnosis of acromegaly. Measurement of glucose suppressed GH levels is the preferred method for assessing GH secretion in acromegaly. However, it is essential to recognize that when using highly sensitive and specific GH assays, nadir GH levels can be < 1 microg/L after oral glucose in some patients with newly diagnosed acromegaly and postoperative patients with active disease. On the other hand, when using most clinically available commercial GH assays which are less sensitive and specific than those used in research studies, failure of GH suppression into the normal range set in these studies is not alone diagnostic of active acromegaly. In order to diagnose acromegaly, documentation of GH excess should be accompanied by elevation in levels of the GH dependent peptide, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Consideration also needs to be given to the clinical context in which GH and IGF-I are being measured as both can be altered in a number of clinical settings other than acromegaly. Both IGF-I and GH evaluations are important and complimentary parts of the biochemical assessment of acromegaly.     

Pathogenesis and Prevalence of Hypertension in Acromegaly

Hypertension is an important complication of acromegaly, contributing to the increased morbidity and mortality of this condition. Prevalence of hypertension in acromegalic patients is about 35%, ranging from 18 to 60% in different clinical series, and the incidence is higher than in the general population. The lowering of blood pressure observed concomitantly with the reduction in GH levels after successful therapy for acromegaly suggests a relationship between GH and/or IGF-I excess and hypertension. The exact mechanisms underlying the development of hypertension in acromegaly are still not clear but may include several factors depending on the chronic exposure to GH and/or IGF-I excess. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that the anti-natriuretic action of GH (due to direct renal action of GH or IGF-I and/or to indirect, systemic GH or IGF-I-mediated mechanisms) may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Acromegaly is frequently associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia which may induce hypertension by stimulating renal sodium absorption and sympathetic nervous activity. Whether sympathetic tone is altered in acromegalic hypertensive patients remains a matter of debate. Recent studies indicate that an increased sympathetic tone and/or abnormalities in the circadian activity of sympathetic system could play an important role in development and/or maintenance of elevated blood pressure in acromegaly, and may partially account for the increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Acromegalic cardiomiopathy may also concur to elevate blood pressure and can be aggravated by the coexistence of hypertension. Finally, a role of GH and IGF-I as vascular growth factors cannot be excluded. In conclusion, acromegaly is associated with hypertension, but there is still no real consensus in the literature on the mechanisms behind the development of the high blood pressure.     

Measurement of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction by Real Time 3D Echocardiography in Patients with Severe Systolic Dysfunction: Comparison with Radionuclide Angiography

Aim: Measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) using real time 3D echocardiography (3DE) has been performed in subjects with preserved or modestly reduced systolic function. Our aim was to evaluate this technique in the subset of patients with severe systolic dysfunction. Methods and results: Consecutive patients with LVEF less than 0.35 at two-dimensional echocardiography were included. LVEF obtained by 3DE was compared to the value measured by radionuclide angiography (RNA). Real time full-volume 3DE was performed, with offline semiautomated measurement of LVEF using dedicated software (Cardioview RT, Tomtec) by a single observer blinded to the results of RNA. A total of 50 patients were evaluated, of whom 38 (76%, 27 males, age 69 ± 13 years) had a 3DE of sufficient quality for analysis. LVEF for this group was 0.21 ± 0.07 using 3DE and 0.27 ± 0.08 using RNA. The agreement between the two techniques was rather poor (r = 0.49; P < 0.001; 95% limits of agreements of −0.20 to 0.09). Truncation of the apex was observed in 6 of 38 (16%) patients. Conclusion: In patients with severe systolic dysfunction, 3DE shows poor agreement for measurement of LVEF as compared to RNA. There may be underestimation of up to 20% in absolute terms by 3DE. Accordingly, the two methods are not interchangeable for the follow-up of LV function. A limitation of 3DE may, at least in part, be related to the incomplete incorporation of the apical region into the pyramidal image sector in patients with dilated hearts. (Echocardiography 2010;27:58-63)     

Lanreotide 60 mg,a Longer-Acting Somatostatin Analog: Tumor Shrinkage and Hormonal Normalization in Acromegaly

Background: Somatostatin analogues are nowadays the milestone in the medical treatment of acromegaly. We evaluated the effects of a new 60 mg longer-acting formulation of lanreotide (LAN60) on GH/IGF-I levels and tumor size. Patients: Twenty-one acromegalics entered a prospective monocentric open study. Eight were consecutive de novo patients (group I). Thirteen patients sensitive to SA (GH levels < 2.5 g/l and/or IGF-I normalization on chronic LAN 30 mg (LAN30) treatment) were switched to LAN60 (group II). Protocol: LAN60 was administered IM for 6 cycles at 28 day intervals. In group I when GH/IGF-I remained pathological, the intervals were shortened to 21 days for the last three cycles. Controls: GH/IGF-I at the end of the 1^st, 3^rd and 6^th cycle; MRI at the end of the study in all patients in group I bearing an adenoma. Results: Group I. GH (p = 0.00638, below 2.5 g/l in two patients) and IGF-I (p = 0.0289, normalized in 5) significantly decreased. In one of two patients shortening the LAN60 schedule was more effective in suppressing GH/IGF-I. Group II. No change in GH and IGF-I levels was observed with the administration of LAN60, instead of LAN30. On LAN60 GH remained below 2.5 g/l in 8/10 patients and IGF-I normal in 11/11 patients that had attained those values on LAN30. Tumor markedly shrank (23% to 64% vs basal), from 1400 (664–1680) mm³ to 520 (500–960) mm³ (median, interquartile, p = 0.0218) in all the 5 evaluable patients. Conclusion: LAN60 is a very effective and longer-lasting formulation for the treatment of acromegaly. A closer administration schedule might achieve greater efficacy. Its effectiveness in shrinking tumor opens new perspectives in the therapy of acromegaly.     

Comparison of radionuclide angiography with three echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular function in patients after myocardial infarction

Aims. Left ventricular function is an important outcome measure in patients with coronary artery disease, in particular in patients after myocardial infarction. It is reliably assessed by radionuclide angiography, but echocardiographic wall motion scoring might be an attractive alternative. Methods. Four days after reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction both radionuclide angiography and echocardiography were performed in 90 patients. Segmental wall motion scoring (WMSI) and visual estimation of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was done by 2 independent observers. Repeated analysis was performed 1 month after the first reading. In 41 patients the LVEF was assessed quantitatively by tracing of endocardial outlines of the left ventricle. Results. Both correlation with radionuclide angiography (estimated LVEF: r = 0.71, WMSI: r = – 0.68, Tracing: r = 0.59) and inter- and intra-observer variability (estimated LVEF: 19% and 15%, WMSI: 65% and 59%) were in favour of the LVEF estimation method. Correlation with radionuclide angiography measurements was related to the quality of the echocardiogram and to the extent of coronary artery disease. Conclusion. Simple echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction in patients after reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction proved to be superior to quantitative assessment of ejection fraction and to segmental wall motion scoring in comparison with radionuclide angiography.     

Estimation of left ventricular systolic function by nonvolumetric echocardiographic analysis in subjects with poor left ventricular visualization: A pilot study

Background: Accurate assessment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function is an essential requirement in clinical cardiology. Several echocardiographic methods provide quantitative analysis of LV volumes and ejection fraction (EF) based on the precise tracing of endocardial borders. Often, however, technically limited studies prohibit such direct analysis, and alternative techniques must be applied. Hypothesis: Nonvolumetric echocardiographic methods which do not require endocardial edge definition and tracing may accurately provide quantitative LV systolic function data. Methods: A pilot study was conducted to validate and compare two recently described indirect echocardiographic methods of LV systolic function analysis, with LVEF by radionu-clear cardiac angiography (RNCA). Thirty-two consecutive patients undergoing RNCA for clinical indications also underwent echocardiography within 24 h, with LV analysis performed by the techniques of (1) atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) and (2) mitral valve leaflet coaptation point to interventricular septum distance at end-systole (MVC-IVS). Results: Thirteen patients had an echocardiogram with poor two-dimensional visualization of LV endocardial borders. One patient could not be evaluated by the MVC-IVS method and two others by the AVPD method because of technical limitations. Chi-square analysis to compare how each method could discriminate between an RNCA LVEF of < or ≥ 50% demonstrated high correlations for the AVPD method (r = 0.6530, p < 0.0005) and the MVC-IVS method (r = –0.7029, p < 0.0001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and test accuracy for the AVPD and MVC-IVS methods were 85 and 80%, 88 and 94%, 85 and 92%, 82 and 83%, and 83 and 87%, respectively. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that both alternative echocardiographic methods may be useful in the assessment of LV systolic performance, even in the setting of poor LV endocardial border visualization. A larger study is warranted to apply and contrast these methods in different patient subsets.     

Relationship of Cardiac Hypertrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction Assessed by Echocardiography with Atherosclerosis in Retinal Arteries in Hypertensive Patients

Although left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction assessed by echocardiography are established risk markers of cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients, relationships between these echocardiographic findings and atherosclerosis have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries and echocardiographic findings in hypertensive patients. Forty hypertensive patients were divided into two groups according to Scheie's classification by ophthalmologists: 20 patients with stage 1 changes (visible broadening of the light reflex from the artery with minimal arteriovenous compression) and 20 patients with stage 2 changes (more prominent than those in stage 1). Standard echocardiography was performed to measure LV mass index for evaluating LV hypertrophy and conventional diastolic transmitral flow velocities for assessing LV diastolic function. Mitral annular velocities were also measured for evaluating LV diastolic function using tissue Doppler echocardiography. The LV mass index was larger in stage 2 (130 ± 39 g/m²) than stage 1 (96 ± 16 g/m²) patients (p?=?0.001). Peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E′) was lower in stage 2 (5.9 ± 0.9 cm/s) than stage 1 (7.9 ± 1.7 cm/s) patients (p?=?0.001). The optimal cutoff points for the diagnosis of Scheie stage 2 were 6.6 cm/sec for E′ (sensitivity 75%, specificity 85%) and 111 g/m² for LV mass index (sensitivity 70%, specificity 90%). In conclusion, in hypertensive patients, the extent of atherosclerosis in the retinal arteries can be estimated by LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction assessed by echocardiography.     

校正Tei指数在高血压患者左心室功能评价中的应用

目的对比观察传统Tei指数和校正Tei指数对高血压患者左心室功能的评价。方法初诊为高血压未经抗高血压治疗的67例患者根据左心室重量指数分为两组,无心肌肥厚组(A组)32例,心肌肥厚组(B组)35例,另选24例健康体检者为对照组。所有入选者均进行超声心动图、二尖瓣血流频谱和组织多普勒超声显像检查,根据相应公式计算Tei指数和校正Tei指数。结果左心室射血分数在3组间无显著性差异,心肌收缩峰值速度在3组间虽然无显著性差异,但B组较对照组升高明显。二尖瓣瓣尖水平E峰血流速度、E峰血流速度/A峰血流速度以及心肌运动频谱舒张早期峰值速度和舒张早期峰值速度/舒张晚期峰值速度在A、B两组患者显著降低,尤其以B组明显。结论校正Tei指数同传统Tei指数一样能够灵敏准确地评价高血压患者左心室的整体功能,并与传统Tei指数具有很高的相关性。     

Echocardiographic left ventricular mass in African-Americans: the Jackson cohort of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Characterization of target organ damage from hypertension is of particular interest in African-Americans, and evidence from electrocardiographic studies suggests that left ventricular hypertrophy is a frequent clinical finding of considerable prognostic importance. Echocardiographic studies may permit more precise characterization of the pathologic impact of hypertension on cardiac structure and function. The objective of this study is to characterize left ventricular (LV) structure including measures of wall thickness, septal thickness, internal dimension, and mass in a middle-aged sample of African-Americans using echocardiography. This study is a cohort (cross-sectional) study in which 2445 middle-aged African-American study participants from a population-based sample initially enrolled by the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, Jackson, Mississippi Examination Center in 1987-1989 underwent an M-mode echocardiograpic examination at their third or fourth clinic visit in 1993-1996. Measures of LV mass, even where indexed by size were conspicuously greater in men compared to women, and men exhibited a demonstrably steeper gradient of LV mass across the rather restricted age range of the study. However, when gender specific thresholds for LV hypertrophy were utilized, African-American men appear to have lower prevalence of LV hypertrophy than women. The lowest prevalence of LV hypertrophy was observed in African-American men who did not have hypertension (28.4%). The findings confirm previous suggestions from electrocardiographic investigations that cardiac hypertrophy is common, if not epidemic in middle-aged African-American men and women, whether or not they have hypertension.     

彩色多普勒与其他检查方法诊断心尖肥厚型心肌病31例的比较

目的探讨彩色多普勒（CDFI）与其他检查方法对心尖肥厚型心肌病（AHCM）的诊断价值。方法对31例AHCM患者的CDFI、磁共振检查（MRI、冠脉造影及左心室造影（CAG＋LVG）、心电图（EGG）特点进行分析。结果31例均经CDFI检查,28例证实有心尖部心肌肥厚（厚度〉15mm）,心尖最大室壁厚度／基底部最大室壁厚度≥1．3。9例进行了LVG,其中有4例显示左室舒张期末心尖部心肌肥厚,左心室舒张末期呈“黑桃”（spade—like）样改变。4例行了MRI检查,均可见心尖部不对称性肥厚。全部患者均合并有ECG异常改变（100％）。31例中有1例合并有右室心尖肥厚。结论CDFI为AHCM最理想的检测方法,如结合以上其他检查,则可进一步提高诊断准确性。     

Oncological Complications of Excess GH in Acromegaly

Around fifteen percent of the deaths reported in acromegaly are attributable to malignancy (SM Melmed, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001;86:2929–2934; A Mestrón, SM Webb, In: Endocrine Society, San Francisco, June 2002 (abstract)), uncontrolled disease is associated with a growth advantage for concurrent neoplasms, which are more likely to be aggressive; however, there is no clear evidence of de novo cancer initiation in acromegaly and no proven causal relationship of acromegaly with malignant disease. Overall and cancer mortality in acromegaly have been shown to correlate with the degree of GH control; if post therapy GH is controlled, both the overall and cancer mortality do not appear to differ from that of the normal population (SM Orme et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1998;83:2730–2734; JD Nabarro, Clin Endocrinol 1987;26:481–512). However, no long-term prospective evaluation of cancer prevalence or its relation to biochemical or clinical disease activity is available.IGF-1 appears to exert a permissive effect on tumorigenesis; there is no clear evidence that tumor initiation is triggered by IGF-1 in acromegaly; nevertheless, since IGF-1 may be higher in neoplasms, aggressive treatment aimed at controlling the disease activity will theoretically be advantageous for acromegalic patients with cancer.The prevalence of colon polyps and colon cancer appear to be incresed in acromegaly as is mortality for colon cancer (Orme et al., 1998), so regular colonoscopy screening and polypectomy would seem advisable, especially in older patients with active acromegaly. Surveillance for prostate cancer in elderly males with high IGF-1, especially if also receiving testosterone replacement therapy, is recommendable, by measurement of serum PSA, rectal examination and/or prostatic ultrasound. In women, mammography should be offered, especially after the age of 50 years, as in the normal population. Neither prostate nor breast cancer have been consistently shown to have an increased prevalence in acromegaly, but larger prospective epidemiological studies are required to study this further.     

左室舒张性心功能障碍超声左心形态、功能及运动耐量的改变50例分析

对核素心血池扫描证实的５０例左室舒张性心功能障碍（ＬＶＤＤ）病例、２６例左室收缩性心功能障碍（ＬＶＳＨＦ）病例进行Ｍ型、二维、多普勒超声心动图及活动平板运动试验检测，并以２０例正常人为对照组（ＣＧ）。结果表明：（１）左心形态学改变：与ＬＶＳＨＦ组比较，ＬＶＤＤ组左房内径（ＬＡＤ）、左室内径（ＬＶＤ）无明显增加，室间隔厚度（ＩＶＳＴ）、左室后壁厚度（ＰＷＴ）增加。与ＣＧ组比较，ＬＶＤＤ组ＬＡＤ、ＩＶＳＴ、ＰＷＴ增加，但ＬＶＤ差异无显著性。（２）ＬＶＤＤ组收缩功能指标：左室射血分数（ＬＶＥＦ）、心脏指数（ＣＩ）与ＣＧ组比较差异无显著性，ＬＶＳＨＦ组与ＣＧ组比较，ＬＶＳＨＦ组ＬＶＥＦ、ＣＩ减低。与ＣＧ组比较，ＬＶＤＤ组左室舒张功能指标：二尖瓣舒张早期流速峰值（ＥＰＦＶ）、二尖瓣舒张早、晚期流速峰值比（Ｅ／Ａ）、舒张早期减速度（ＤＣ）比ＣＧ组减低，二尖瓣舒张晚期流速峰值（ＡＰＦＶ）、等容舒张时间（ＩＲＴ）较ＣＧ组增高。ＬＶＤＤ组各左室舒张功能指标与ＬＶＳＨＦ组差异无显著性。（３）ＬＶＤＤ组运动时间、运动当量显著低于ＣＧ组，但高于ＬＶＳＨＦ组。     

The vital role of papillary muscles in mitral and ventricular function: echocardiographic insights

The two left ventricular (LV) papillary muscles are small structures but are vital to mitral valve competence. Partial or complete rupture, complicating acute myocardial infarction, causes severe or even catastrophic mitral regurgitation, potentially correctable by surgery. Papillary muscle dysfunction is a controversial topic in that the role of the papillary muscle itself, in causing mitral regurgitation post infarction, has been seriously questioned; it is less confusing if this syndrome is attributed not only to papillary muscle but also to adjacent LV wall ischemia or infarction. Papillary muscle calcification is easily and frequently detected on echocardiography, but its clinical significance remains uncertain. Papillary muscle hypertrophy accompanies LV hypertrophy of varied etiology and may have a significant role in producing dynamic late-systolic intra-LV obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other hyperdynamic hypertrophied LV chambers. All the above abnormalities can be adequately assessed by 2-D echocardiography and the Doppler modalities. In selected cases, transesophageal echocardiography can provide additional valuable data by improving visualization of papillary muscles and mitral apparatus.     

Hypertensive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Pathophysiology, Assessment and Treatment

Otterstad JE, Smiseth O, Kjeldsen SE. Hypertensive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Pathophysiology, Assesment and Treatment.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. LVH is associated with coronary events, and there is an association between cerebrovascular disease and increased left ventricular mass (LVM). Experimental studies have elucidated the importance of non-myocytic cells inducing increased perivascular and interstitial fibrosis along with thickening of the media of intramyocardial coronary arteries in hypertensive LVH. M-mode echocardiography is the most accepted standard for the diagnosis and quantification of LVH, but some controversies exist regarding the ideal methodology for serial assessment of LVM. It is still a matter of debate whether 2-dimensional echo measurements represent a more accurate method. Hopefully, both the introduction of 3-dimensional echo and new Doppler techniques can provide more accurate measurements of LVM and additional information on changes in myocardial fibrosis and stiffness. Experimental studies have shown that normalization of hypertensive myocardial and coronary artery remodelling take place with drugs like angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors and calcium antagonists. Two meta-analyses suggest that ACE-inhibitors may be the most efficient drugs in reducing LVM, but a clinical correlate to this assumption is at present not available. There are some indications that regression or progression of LVH assessed by ECG and echocardiography may in fact be related to the incidence of cardiovascular events. But large-scale controlled studies of various treatment regimens are still needed to establish whether drug induced regression can improve the prognosis of hypertensive LVH independent of the antihypertensive effect.     

Determinants of left ventricular diastolic function—The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Decreased left ventricular (LV) diastolic function is associated with increased all‐cause mortality and risk for a heart failure. The determinants of LV diastolic function have been mainly studied in elderly populations; however, the origin of LV heart failure may relate to the lifestyle factors acquired during the life course. Therefore, we examined biochemical, physiological, and lifestyle determinants of LV diastolic function in 34–49‐year‐old participants of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (Young Finns Study). In 2011, clinical examination and echocardiography were performed for 1928 participants (880 men and 1048 women; aged 34–49 years). LV diastolic function was primarily defined using E/é‐ratio (population mean 4.8, range 2.1–9.0). In a multivariate model, systolic blood pressure (P < 0.005), female sex (P < 0.005), age (P < 0.005), waist circumference (P = 0.024), smoking (P = 0.028), serum alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.032) were directly associated with E/é‐ratio, while an inverse association was found for height (P < 0.005). Additionally, a higher E/é‐ratio was found in participants with concentric hypertrophy compared to normal cardiac geometry (P < 0.005). Other indicators of the LV diastolic function including E/A‐ratio and left atrial volume index showed similarly strong associations with systolic blood pressure and age. In conclusion, we identified systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and smoking as modifiable determinants of the LV diastolic function in the 34–49‐year‐old participants of the Young Finns Study.