脑钠肽与高血压左室重塑、左室功能的关系

目的:探讨原发性高血压(EH)患者脑钠肽(BNP)水平与左室几何构型、左室功能的关系。方法:应用荧光免疫法快速测定EH组(106例)和对照组(46例)的血浆BNP浓度,根据心脏彩色超声检测结果,依照左室重量指数(LVMI)、相对室壁厚度(RWT)将106例EH患者分为:正常构型亚组(12例)、向心性重构亚组(9例)、离心性肥厚亚组(64例)、向心性肥厚亚组(21例)。应用相关性分析了解EH组LVMI、RWT、年龄、血压、体质指数(BMI)、左室射血分数(LVEF)等因素与BNP关系。结果:在EH各构型亚组中LVMI以离心性肥厚亚组最高,向心性肥厚亚组、离心性肥厚亚组BNP水平较对照组升高明显。EH组LVMI与BNP具有明显的正相关性(r=0.605,P<0.01),RWT与BNP具有明显的负相关(r=-0.266,P<0.01),LVEF与BNP呈负相关(r=-0.552,P<0.01),LVMI、RWT与血压、BMI之间无明显相关性。结论:EH组中不同的左室几何构型对BNP水平产生不同影响,具有更高的LVMI值和更低的LVEF、RWT值患者,BNP水平更高,而年龄、血压、BMI与BNP、LVMI、RWT无明显相关性。     

醛固酮及Ⅲ型前胶原氨基端肽与高血压患者左室几何构型的关系

目的:探讨原发性高血压(EH)患者血清醛固酮(PAC)和Ⅲ型前胶原氨基端肽(PⅢNP)水平与左室几何构型的关系.方法:采用放射免疫法测定EH组(118例)血浆PAC和PⅢNP浓度;根据心脏彩色超声检测结果,依照左室重量指数(LVMI)、相对室壁厚度(RWT)将118例EH患者分为正常构型亚组(22例)、向心性重构亚组(29例)、离心性肥厚亚组(31例)、向心性肥厚亚组(36例).应用相关性分析了解EH 组LVMI、RWT、年龄、血压、体质指数(BMI)、左室射血分数(LVEF)等因素与PAC、PⅢNP关系.结果:在EH各构型亚组中,向心性肥厚亚组、离心性肥厚亚组PAC、PⅢNP水平较对照组升高,且向心性肥厚亚组升高更明显.EH 组PAC、PⅢNP与RWT呈正相关(r=0.402, r=0.507 P<0.01),与LVMI呈负相关(r=-0.202;r=-0.307,P<0.05).而年龄、血压、BMI与LVMI、RWT无明显相关性.结论:EH组中不同的左室几何构型对PAC和PⅢNP水平产生不同影响.PAC和PⅢNP参与EH患者左室几何构型的改变,在向心性肥厚亚组中升高明显.     

高血压病患者左室几何构型与胰岛素抵抗关系的研究

目的　探讨高血压病 (EH)患者胰岛素抵抗 (IR)对左室几何构型的影响。方法　依照左室质量指数 (LVMI)和相对室壁厚度 (RWT)将 118例EH患者分为左室正常构型组 (5 8例 )、向心性重构组 (2 2例 )、向心性肥厚组 (14例 )、离心性肥厚组 (2 4例 )。并行口服葡萄糖耐量试验和同步胰岛素释放试验 ,计算胰岛素敏感性指数 (ISI)、血糖曲线下面积 (AG)、胰岛素曲线下面积 (AI)、空腹血浆胰岛素 /空腹血糖 (FSI/FSG)比值、AI/AG比值。设对照组 86例。应用单元和多元回归分析观察RWT、LVMI与各胰岛素敏感性指标的关系。结果　与对照组比较 ,EH各左室构型组除FSG外 ,FSI、ISI、AG、AI、FSI/FSG、AI/AG差异均有显著性 (P <0 0 5～P <0 0 1) ,但各构型组间差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。单因素相关分析显示EH组RWT与FSI、AG、AI、收缩压呈正相关 (r值分别为 0 193,0 196 ,0 2 36 ,0 183,P均 <0 0 5 ) ,与ISI呈负相关 (r值为 - 0 2 5 1,P <0 0 1) ,LVMI与体重指数、收缩压、舒张压呈正相关 (r值分别为 0 2 4 2 ,0 2 14 ,0 184 ,P <0 0 5～P <0 0 1) ,而与各胰岛素敏感性指标不相关 (P >0 0 5 )。逐步回归分析显示RWT与ISI呈独立相关 (R2 =0 0 6 3,P =0 0 0 6 )。结论　HIS及IR存在于EH患者各种左室几何     

胰岛素抵抗与原发性高血压左室肥厚关系的研究

目的　探讨胰岛素抵抗 (IR)对原发性高血压 (EH)患者左室肥厚的影响。方法　检测 93例 EH病人的左室心肌重量指数 (LVMI)、相对室壁厚度 (RWT)、空腹血糖 (FSG)、空腹血胰岛素 (FSI) ,并计算胰岛素抵抗指数 (IRI)。设对照组 48例。结果　 IRI在对照组与 EH各组比较差异呈显著性 (P<0 .0 1 ) ,但在 EH各组间差异无显著性 (P>0 .0 5)。 IRI在 EH各组间与 RWT呈正相关 (P<0 .0 1 ) ,与 LVMI不相关 (P>0 .0 5)。结论　 IR存在于 EH患者中 ,与 RWT的增加有密切的关系 ,高胰岛素血症是 EH患者发生左室肥厚的重要因素。     

脑钠肽与高血压左室重塑、左室功能的关系

该文探讨原发性高血压（EH）患者脑钠肽（BNP）水平与左室几何构型、左室功能的关系。方法：应用荧光免疫法快速测定EH组（106例）和对照组（46例）的血浆BNP浓度，根据心脏彩色超声检测结果，依照左室质量指数（LVMI）、相对室壁厚度（RWT）将106例EH患者分为：正常构型亚组（12例）、向心性重构亚组（9例）、离心性肥厚亚组（64例）、向心性肥厚亚组（21例）。     

老年高血压患者胰岛素抵抗与左室结构改变的关系

目的探讨老年原发性高血压患者胰岛素抵抗（IR）在高血压发生、发展过程中对左室结构的影响。方法72例高血压患肯依照左室质量指数（LVMI）和相对室壁厚度（RWT）分为左室正常构型组（34例）、向心性重构组（18例）、向心性肥厚组（11例）、离心性肥厚组（9例），并行口服葡萄糖耐量试验（OGTT）加同步胰岛素释放试验，计算胰岛素敏感性指数（ISI）、血糖曲线下面积（AG）、胰岛素曲线下面积（AI）、空腹血胰岛素/空腹血糖（FSI／FSG）比值、AI／AG比值。设健康对照组35例。应用单元和多元回归分析观察RWT和LVMI与各胰岛素敏感性指标的关系。结果高血压组的RWT与FSI、FSG无关（P〉0．05），与AI、AG呈正相关（r值分别为0．160、0．227，P〈0．05），与ISI呈负相关（r值为=0．266，P〈0．01）；LVMI与各胰岛素敏感性指标无相关性（P〉0．05）。逐步回归分析显示RWT与ISI呈独立相关（r^2=0．071、P〈0．05）。结论高胰岛素血症（HIS）及IR存在于老年高血压患者各种左室几何构型中，其中与向心性重构关系最密切，与IR相关的HIS是参与和促进左心室向心性重构的重要影响因素。     

原发性高血压患者红细胞分布宽度与左心室肥厚的相关性

目的 探究原发性高血压患者红细胞分布宽度(RDW)与左心室肥厚的相关性.方法 回顾性分析2014年8月至2016年8月在郑州大学第二附属医院心血管内科住院的686例原发性高血压患者,按左心室质量指数(LVMI)及相对室壁厚度(RWT)将其分为正常构型组(n = 215)、向心性重构组(n = 322)、向心性肥厚组(n...     

原发性高血压左室重构与血压、胰岛素抵抗的关系

60例原发性高血压（EH）患者监测血压,测定空腹血糖和胰岛素,同时应用超声心动仪测定心脏结构。结果向心性重构组和向心性肥厚组胰岛素敏感指数明显小于正常构型组,向心性肥厚组和离心性肥厚组收缩压显著高于正常构型组;与正常构型组比较,向心性重构组舒张末期左室内径（LVDd）明显缩小,离心性肥厚组LVDd明显增大;向心性重构组、向心性肥厚组和离心性肥厚组室间隔厚度（IVST）、左室后壁厚度（LVPWd）显著厚于正常构型组,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。认为血压和胰岛素抵抗对高血压患者左室重构存在重要影响。     

原发性高血压患者踝臂指数与左心室肥厚的关系

目的探讨高血压病患者动态血压及踝臂指数(ABI)与左室质量指数(LVMI)的关系。方法 87例原发性高血压患者(无冠心病、糖尿病、慢性肾病)根据ABI水平分为ABI正常组(ABI为1.10～1.14)、ABI减低组(ABI≤0.90),两组年龄、BMI、高血压病程等差异无统计学意义。分别比较两组左心室结构及功能指标的差异,并用多元线性回归方法分析ABI与左心室肥厚(LVH)的相关性。结果 ABI减低组24 h平均SBP和LVH发生率均较ABI正常组高,差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.01)。ABI与SBP、LVMI呈负相关(r=-0.803、-0.802,P均<0.01),SBP与LVMI呈正相关(r=0.757,P<0.01)。SBP、LVMI增高分别是ABI减低的独立预测因素(β=-0.006、-0.015,P均<0.01)。结论原发性高血压患者中,ABI与LVMI有关,LVMI增高、ABI减低提示原发性高血压预后不良。     

超声心动图评价年轻成人左室构型及其影响因素

目的 应用超声心动图观察年轻成人左室构型,并评价血压(BP)和肥胖等心血管疾病危险因素对其影响.方法 应用M型超声心动图测量624例年轻成人(年龄23岁～39 岁)收缩期和舒张期左室内径(LVDs和LVDd)及舒张期室间隔和左室后壁厚度(IVSd和LVPWd),计算左室壁相对厚度(LVRWT)和左室质量指数(LVMI),根据LVRWT＞0.42,LVMI男性＞50 g/m2,女性＞47 g/m2将左室几何形态分为正常(normal geometry,NG)组、向心性重构(concentric remodeling,CR)组、离心性肥厚(eccentric hypertrophy,EH)组和向心性肥厚(concentric hypertrophy,CH)组,同时测量血压、空腹血糖和血脂等.应用多变量Logistic回归分析观察肥胖(BMI)和BP等心血管疾病危险因素与左室几何形态的相关性.结果 NG组、CR组、EH组和CH组的发生率分别为61.6%、12.0%、16.7 %和10.2%.与NG组比较,EH组和CH组收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、体质量指数(BMI)和空腹血糖(Glu)高于NG组,高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)低于NG组,上述指标CR组与NG组及EH组与CH组间无统计学意义(P＞0.05).与CR组比较,EH组BMI和肥胖比例明显高于CR组(P＜0.05),CH组的高血压比例高于CR组(P＜0.05),EH组和CH组之间无统计学意义.多变量Logistic回归分析显示:SBP、DBP和BMI均与EH组和CH组相关(P＜0.05),而与CR组无明显相关性.结论 肥胖和高血压可改变年轻成人左室几何形态,对左室发生EH和CH有预测价值,提示早期防治年轻成人肥胖和高血压有重要意义.     

Effect of insulin resistance on left ventricular structural changes in hypertensive patients

Both left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and insulin resistance (IR) have often been demonstrated in patients with essential hypertension (EH). Insulin may exert a direct growth promoting effect on cardiomyocytes rather than affecting the LV internal diameter. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of IR on LV geometry. We enrolled 105 patients (71 females, mean age, 49.2 +/- 13.6 years) with recently diagnosed and untreated hypertension (blood pressure > 140 and/or 90 mmHg, fasting glucose < 110 mg/dL), and grouped them as normal (N) (39 patients, 26 females, mean age, 48.5 +/- 14.7 years) if all M-mode echocardiographic measurements were within normal limits, concentric remodeling (CR) (22 patients, 15 females, mean age, 50.5 +/- 14.8 years) if relative wall thickness was increased but left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was normal, concentric hypertrophy (CH) (13 patients, 9 females, mean age, 50.3 +/- 10.8 years) if both ventricular thicknesses and the LVMI were increased, and eccentric hypertrophy (EH) (31 patients, 21 females, mean age, 48.6 +/- 12.9 years) if ventricular thicknesses were normal, but LVMI was increased. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all subjects, and interventricular septal thickness (IVS), posterior wall thickness (PWT), sum of wall thickness (SWT), left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (LVED), relative wall thickness (RWT), and LVMI were recorded. Blood samples for routine biochemical examination and fasting insulin levels were obtained and then the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index was calculated by the formula: HOMA Index = Fasting Blood Glucose (mg/dL) x Immunoreactive Insulin (microU/mL)/405, for the assessment of IR. There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to age, blood pressure (BP) levels, fasting blood glucose (FBG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), or triglyceride (TG) levels. Insulin levels were significantly higher in the CR and CH groups in comparison with the N group (P = 0.004), and the HOMA index was higher in the CH group compared to the N group (P = 0.024). In Pearson's correlation analysis, insulin was found to be directly correlated with IVS (r = 0.29, P = 0.002), SWT (r = 0.25, P = 0.009), and RWT (r = 0.33, P = 0.0001). The HOMA index was also directly correlated with IVS (r = 0.33, P = 0.001), SWT (r = 0.29, P = 0.002), and RWT (r = 0.29, P = 0.003). Cardiac changes in hypertensive patients include increased LVMI and altered LV geometry. The concentric LV geometry seen in hypertensive patients might be mediated, at least in part, by increased insulin levels and the HOMA index.     

Left ventricular hypertrophy and geometry in untreated essential hypertension is associated with blood levels of aldosterone and procollagen type III amino-terminal peptide.

BACKGROUND: The present study examined the role of aldosterone in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and geometry in patients with untreated essential hypertension (EHT), and investigated the contribution of myocardial fibrosis to the process of LVH. METHODS AND RESULTS: The relationship of the plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) to LVH and left ventricular (LV) geometry was investigated in 57 consecutive patients with untreated EHT. PAC correlated with both LV mass index (LVMI: r=0.46, p=0.0004) and relative wall thickness (RWT: r=0.33, p=0.013). In patients with LVH (LVMI > or =125 g/m(2)), the serum concentration of procollagen type III amino-terminal peptide (PIIINP), a marker of myocardial fibrosis, correlated with RWT (r=0.46, p=0.029). These patients were divided into 2 groups: concentric hypertrophy (CH) with RWT > or =0.44, and eccentric hypertrophy (EH) with RWT <0.44. The serum PIIINP concentration was significantly higher in the CH group than in the EH group (0.52+/-0.02 ng/ml vs 0.44+/-0.03 ng/ml, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aldosterone may be involved in LVH and LV geometry, particularly in the development of CH. Myocardial fibrosis seems more strongly involved in the hypertrophic geometry of CH than with EH.     

Effects of spironolactone during an angiotensin II receptor blocker treatment on the left ventricular mass reduction in hypertensive patients with concentric left ventricular hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are now commonly used to treat hypertension because of their beneficial effects on cardiovascular remodeling. However, ARB treatment can not inhibit the left ventricular (LV) remodeling sufficiently, which may be related with aldosterone secretion. To inhibit the action of aldosterone during ARB treatment, the additional effects of an aldosterone blocker and spironolactone (SPRL) on LV hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension was studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patients with essential hypertension were randomly divided into 2 groups; 1 group was treated with an ARB, candesartan (8 mg/day), for 1 year (ARB group) and other group was treated with the ARB for the first 6 months and with the ARB plus SPRL (25 mg/day) for the next 6 months (combination group). Seventy patients who underwent echocardiography every 6 months were analyzed and were also classified into 4 subgroups of LV geometric pattern according to the LV mass index (LVMI) and the relative wall thickness (RWT). The ARB treatment and the addition of SPRL significantly reduced the blood pressure, however, both treatments did not affect the LV geometry in both groups. The ARB treatment in the subgroups of concentric LV remodeling (RWT>or=0.45 and LVMI<125) and concentric LV hypertrophy (RWT>or=0.45 and LVMI>or=125) significantly reduced RWT. However, ARB treatment in all subgroups did not affect LVMI. The addition of SPRL only in the concentric LV hypertrophy subgroup significantly reduced the LVMI, despite similar changes in blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that the addition of SPRL treatment during the ARB treatment and conventional treatments is clinically useful to reduce the LVMI in hypertensive patients with concentric LV hypertrophy; however, does not improve the eccentric LV hypertrophy.     

The effect of left ventricular geometry on myocardial performance index in hypertensive patients]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the myocardial performance index (MPI) and left ventricular (LV) geometry in hypertensive patients. METHODS: The MPI, which is a marker of systolic and diastolic ventricular function, was measured in 64 hypertensive patients and in 15 healthy persons (Control). According to the value of relative wall thickness (RWT) and LV mass index (LVMI), hypertensive patients were subdivided into four groups: normal (N), 17 patients (26.6%); concentric remodeling (CR), 21 patients (32.8%); concentric hypertrophy (CH), 16 patients (25%); and eccentric hypertrophy (EH), 10 patients (15.6%). RESULTS: A higher MPI was found in all patient groups (N, 0.56+/-0.11; CR, 0.59+/-0.11; CH, 0.68+/-0.19; EH, 0.57+/-0.10) compared with the controls (0.44+/-0.09) (p=0.004, p<0.001, p<0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). In the CH group, the MPI was also higher than in N, CR and EH groups (p=0.006, p<0.03 and p=0.009, respectively). No significant difference was found among N, CR and EH groups. The MPI was correlated with LVMI (r=0.28, p=0.014), RWT (r=0.24, p=0.035) and interventricular septum diastolic thickness (r=0.32, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: The systolic and diastolic LV functions are impaired in all subgroups of hypertensive patients according to their LV geometry compared to control group. This impairment is more advanced in patients with concentric hypertrophy than in those with the other LV geometric patterns.     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and geometric patterns of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy

Polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been found to be associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with essential hypertension (EHT) in certain populations. We sought to evaluate, in a Japanese population, whether ACE genotype is related to left ventricular mass, or to the geometry of LVH in EHT. Eighty-seven patients with EHT were examined. Their relative wall thickness (RWT) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI), determined by echocardiogram, were used to divide them into 4 groups: normal (normal RWT and LVMI, n = 35); concentric remodeling (increased RWT but normal LVMI, n= 10); eccentric hypertrophy (increased LVMI but normal RWT, n = 20); and concentric hypertrophy (increased LVMI and RWT, n = 22). Genetic analysis for ACE genotypes was performed on peripheral leukocytes using PCR techniques. Interventricular septal thickness and RWT were significantly greater in the patients with the DD genotype than in those with the II genotype, but LVMI did not differ among the three ACE genotypes. The frequency of the DD genotype was higher in the concentric hypertrophy group than in each of the other groups, and the frequency of the II genotype was lower in the concentric hypertrophy group than in either the normal or eccentric hypertrophy group. The geometric pattern of hypertensive LVH was associated with ACE genotype in a Japanese population. The DD genotype may contribute to concentric hypertrophy, but not to eccentric hypertrophy.     

A new parameter of pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging: IVRa

Objective: We investigated how velocity of isovolumetric relaxation period on pulsed‐wave tissue Doppler trace (IVRa and IVRb) is affected by the left ventricular (LV) geometry changes. Methods: Two hundred cases without exclusion criteria were included in the study. Normal LV mass index (LVMI) and normal relative wall thickness (RWT) was assigned to group 1 (n = 72). Concentric remodeling (normal LVMI and increased RWT) was defined to group 2 (n = 25). Eccentric LV hypertrophy (LVH) (increased LVMI and normal RWT) was defined to group 3 (n = 62). And finally, concentric LVH (increased LVMI and increased RWT) was defined to group 4 (n = 41). Results: Patients with LVH (groups 3 and 4) were older than group 1 (P = 0.017 and 0.001). It was observed in the assessment of M‐mode ECHO parameters that the aortic valve diameter, aortic valve opening, LV end‐systolic diameter (LVESD), LV end‐diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and left atrium (LA) were higher in cases with eccentric LVH. It was shown that Ea velocity and Sa velocity time integral (Sa‐VTI) were decreased with LV geometry change. However, IVRa velocity and E/Ea were increased as LV geometry change. A positive correlation between IVRa velocity and LVMI (correlation ratio = 34%, P = 0.000) was found. Similarly, a positive correlation between IVRa velocity and RWT (correlation ratio = 17%, P = 0.025) was found. Conclusion: IVRa velocity exhibits a positive correlation with LV geometry changes indicating that IVRa velocity is affected by LV geometry like the other parameters influenced by LV geometry.     

Natural history of concentric left ventricular geometry in community-dwelling older adults without heart failure during seven years of follow-up

Presence of concentric left ventricular (LV) geometry has important pathophysiologic and prognostic implications. However, little is known about its natural history in older adults. Of the 5,795 community-dwelling adults ≥65 years of age in the Cardiovascular Health Study, 1,871 without baseline heart failure had data on baseline and 7-year echocardiograms. Of these 343 (18%) had baseline concentric LV geometry (concentric remodeling 83%, concentric LV hypertrophy [LVH] 17%) and are the focus of the present study. LV geometry at year 7 was categorized into 4 groups based on LVH (LV mass indexed for height >51 g/m2·?) and relative wall thickness (RWT): eccentric hypertrophy (RWT ≤0.42 with LVH), concentric hypertrophy (RWT >0.42 with LVH), concentric remodeling (RWT >0.42 without LVH), and normal (RWT ≤0.42 without LVH). At year 7, LV geometry normalized in 57%, remained unchanged in 35%, and transitioned to eccentric hypertrophy in 7% of participants. Incident eccentric hypertrophy occurred in 4% and 25% of those with baseline concentric remodeling and concentric hypertrophy, respectively, and was associated with increased LV end-diastolic volume and decreased LV ejection fraction at year 7. Previous myocardial infarction and baseline above-median LV mass (>39 g/m2·?) and RWT (>0.46) had significant unadjusted associations with incident eccentric LVH; however, only LV mass >39 g/m2·? (odds ratio 17.52, 95% confidence interval 3.91 to 78.47, p <0.001) and previous myocardial infarction (odds ratio 4.73, 95% confidence interval 1.16 to 19.32, p = 0.031) had significant independent associations. In conclusion, in community-dwelling older adults with concentric LV geometry, transition to eccentric hypertrophy was uncommon but structurally maladaptive.     

Left Ventricular Relative Wall Thickness Versus Left Ventricular Mass Index in Non-Cardioembolic Stroke Patients

In non-cardioembolic stroke patients, the cardiac manifestations of high blood pressure are of particular interest. Emerging data suggest that echocardiographically determined left ventricular hypertrophy is independently associated with risk of ischemic stroke.The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of different patterns of left ventricular (LV) remodeling and hypertrophy in a group of consecutive patients admitted with non-cardioembolic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). In particular, we were interested in how often the relative wall thickness (RWT) was abnormal in patients with normal LV mass index (LVMI). As both abnormal RWT and LVMI indicate altered LV remodeling, the secondary objective of this research was to study whether a significant number of patients would be missing the diagnosis of LV remodeling if the RWT is not measured.All patients were referred within 48 hours after a stroke or a TIA for a clinically indicated transthoracic echocardiogram. The echocardiographic findings of consecutive patients with non-cardioembolic stroke or TIA were analyzed.All necessary measurements were performed in 368 patients, who were enrolled in the study. Mean age was 63.7 ± 12.5 years, 64.4% men. Concentric remodeling carried the highest frequency, 49.2%, followed by concentric hypertrophy, 30.7%, normal pattern, 15.5%, and eccentric hypertrophy, 4.1%. The frequency of abnormal left ventricular RWT (80.4%) was significantly higher than that of abnormal LVMI (35.3%), (McNemar P < 0.05).In this group of non-cardioembolic stroke patients, abnormal LV remodeling as assessed by relative wall thickness is very frequent. As RWT was often found without increased LV mass, the abnormal left ventricular geometry may be missed if RWT is not measured or reported.     

Relation of ambulatory blood pressure load with left ventricular geometry in untreated patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Whether ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) load is associated with left ventricular (LV) geometry was assessed in 335 patients (range 32-72 years) with stage I-II essential hypertension by performing 24-h ABP monitoring and echocardiographic examination. Of these 335 hypertensive subjects, 116 (34.5%) had normal LV geometry, 136 (40.5%) had concentric LV remodelling, 37 (11%) had eccentric LV hypertrophy and 46 (14%) had concentric LV hypertrophy according to the relative wall thickness and left ventricular mass index. Subjects with concentric LV hypertrophy had significantly increased 24-h systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) and mean arterial pressure as well as increased 24-h SBP and DBP load compared to those with normal LV geometry or concentric LV remodelling while there was no difference in the above parameters in comparison with the subjects with eccentric LV hypertrophy. The incidence of patients with normal LV geometry was significantly decreasing and the incidence of patients with LV-CH was significantly increasing as the degree of ABP loads were increasing. Using multiple regression analysis models with each type of LV geometry as a dependent variable and various degree of ABP loads as independent variables, it was revealed that normal LV geometry was significantly related with normal values of 24-h SBP and DBP load (P < 0.05) while there was not any significant relation between concentric LV remodelling and 24-h SBP or DBP load values. Concentric LV hypertrophy was significantly related with increased values of both 24-h SBP and DBP load (P < 0.05) while eccentric LV hypertrophy was significantly related with increased values of 24-h DBP load only (P < 0.05). In conclusion normal LV geometry is associated with normal values of SBP and DBP load while concentric LV hypertrophy is associated with increased values of both SBP and DBP load.