Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive elderly patients with carvedilol

In hypertensive patients, the development of left ventricular hypertrophy seems to increase the risk of cardiovascular death although some antihypertensive agents have been associated with regression in left ventricular hypertrophy. A few studies have evaluated the carvedilol, a new drug having a balanced pharmacology of vasodilatation and beta-receptor blockade, particularly in elderly hypertensive patients. To test its effects on left ventricular hypertrophy, patients with essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were studied before and at the end of 6 months of therapy with 25 mg of carvedilol daily. Candidates had to have moderate, uncontrolled essential hypertension with echocardiographically documented left ventricular hypertrophy (left ventricular mass index > 130 g/m2 for men and > 110 g/m2 for women). Of 26 patients selected, 4 dropped out. The remaining 22 patients successfully completed 6 months of therapy. The average age was 69 +/- 8 years. Carvedilol caused a significant reduction of mean systolic blood pressure from 175 to 145 mmHg (p < 0.001), of diastolic blood pressure from 102 to 82 mmHg (p < 0.001), of left ventricular mass index from 148 +/- 24 g/m2 (p < 0.003), and a non significant change of the mean heart rate from 78 to 72 beats/min. In our study, carvedilol was well tolerated in patients with essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy.     

老年高血压病患者左心室肥厚危险因素分析

目的　旨在探讨老年高血压病患者伴发左心室肥厚的危险因素。方法　15 5例老年男性高血压病患者分为高血压伴左心室肥厚组(45例)和高血压无左心室肥厚组(110例) ,比较两组患者2 4h血压监测各项指标、纤维蛋白原及血脂等浓度,用多元逐步回归分析,探讨左心室肥厚的可能影响因素。结果　两组患者之间年龄、体重指数、体表面积差异无显著性意义;但高血压病程、2 4h平均脉压、平均收缩压及纤维蛋白原差异有显著性意义;2 4h平均脉压升高可能为左心室肥厚的独立危险因素。结论　高血压伴发左心室肥厚是长期血压控制不良、代谢紊乱等多因素作用的结果,其中,脉压增大者更易出现左心室肥厚。     

QT dispersion and left ventricular hypertrophy in elderly hypertensive and normotensive patients

Inhomogeneity of ventricular repolarization as detected by QT dispersion may be a potential leading mechanism of sudden death in hypertensive and normotensive (age related) left ventricular hypertrophy. Aim of this study was to investigate QT dispersion, ventricular arrhythmias, and left ventricular mass index in elderly hypertensive and normotensive patients. Study population consisted of 60 consecutive patients (sex: 34 men/26 women; age: 63 +/- 11 years) with essential arterial hypertension and 48 age and sex-matched control subjects (24 men/24 women; 64 +/- 16 years). Measurements included QTc dispersion, ventricular arrhythmias, and left ventricular hypertrophy. Hypertensive patients had greater left ventricular mass index (P = .006) and higher QTc dispersion (P = .004) than controls. Left ventricular hypertrophy was diagnosed in 57 (31 men/26 women) of all subjects. These patients had higher blood pressure (P < .05), Lown's score (P < .001), and QTc dispersion (P < .001). QTc dispersion and Lown's score were independent predictors of left ventricular mass index (P < .001). Conclusively, QTc dispersion is a strong indicator of left ventricular mass index and might be used in risk stratification of hypertensive and normotensive elderly patients.     

老年高血压左心室肥厚患者心肌胶原纤维的病理改变特点

目的观察老年高血压左心室肥厚(LVH)患者心肌胶原纤维的病理改变特点。方法从解放军总医院1954年3月～2001年2月的3520例连续尸体解剖标本中,选取年龄≥65岁的126例的心脏标本,并依据诊断分为高血压组101例,其中LVH 0级15例,LVHⅠ级36例,LVHⅡ级28例,LVHⅢ级22例;对照组25例,对2组标本进行HE、苦味酸天狼星红和Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原纤维免疫组织化学染色,运用光镜和偏振光观察胶原纤维的分布特点,采用全自动图像分析计算心肌间质胶原容积分数(CVF)、Ⅰ型CVF和Ⅲ型CVF及Ⅰ型/Ⅲ型比值。结果与对照组比较,高血压组LVH 0级心肌胶原纤维无明显改变(P>0.05);与LVH 0级比较,高血压组LVHⅠ级患者心肌CVF、Ⅰ型CVF显著增高(P<0.01),而Ⅲ型CVF、Ⅰ型/Ⅲ型比值无明显改变(P>0.05);高血压组LVHⅡ级和LVHⅢ级患者心肌各项指标均显著增高(P<0.01)。结论随着高血压LVH程度的加重,Ⅰ型CVF明显升高,提示舒张功能受损愈重。     

Impaired left ventricular functional reserve in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy

To determine whether patients with hypertension and especially those with left ventricular hypertrophy have subtle changes in cardiac function, we measured the increase in left ventricular ejection fraction and in systolic blood pressure to end-systolic volume index ratio with exercise in 40 hypertensive patients and 16 age-matched normotensive volunteers. Twenty-two hypertensive patients without hypertrophy had normal end-systolic wall stress at rest and exercise responses. In contrast, the 18 patients with echocardiographic criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy demonstrated a significant increase in end-systolic wall stress at rest compared with normal subjects (69 +/- 16 vs. 55 +/- 15 10(3) x dyne/cm2, p less than 0.05) despite having normal resting left ventricular size and ejection fraction. In patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, the increase in ejection fraction with exercise was less than in the normotensive control subjects (7 +/- 7 vs. 12 +/- 8 units, p less than 0.05), and delta systolic blood pressure to end-systolic volume with exercise was reduced (3.3 +/- 3.8 vs. 8.3 +/- 7.7 mm Hg/ml/m2, p less than 0.05). The hypertensive patients with hypertrophy displayed a shift downward and to the right in the relation between systolic blood pressure to end-systolic volume ratio and end-systolic wall stress compared with control subjects and hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus, hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy by echocardiography and normal resting ejection fraction exhibit abnormal ventricular functional responses to exercise. This finding may have implications in identifying patients at higher risk for developing heart failure.     

Impaired left ventricular synchronicity in hypertensive patients with ventricular hypertrophy

OBJECTIVES: The influence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on left ventricular synchronicity, and the prevalence of left ventricular dyssynchrony in hypertensive patients with LVH are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of LVH on left ventricular synchronicity in hypertensive subjects. METHOD: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) was performed in 115 hypertensive and 30 control individuals. Hypertensive patients were divided into a LVH group and a non-LVH group according to the left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Diastolic and systolic asynchrony was determined by measuring the maximal differences in time to peak myocardial systolic contraction (Ts-max) and early diastolic relaxation (Te-max) between any two of the left ventricular segments and the standard deviation of time to peak myocardial systolic contraction and early diastolic relaxation of all 12 segments. RESULTS: Ts-max was greater in both the non-LVH and LVH groups than in controls, (96.68 +/- 26.21 versus 79.30 +/- 25.19 versus 53.20 +/- 15.24 ms, both P < 0.001) and in the LVH group than in the non-LVH group (96.68 +/- 26.21 versus 79.30 +/- 25.19 ms, P < 0.01). Te-max was prolonged in both patient groups, being most advance in the LVH group (67.39 +/- 11.01 versus 57.18 +/- 11.42 versus 46.72 +/- 13.24 ms, both P < 0.001 versus control group and P < 0.001 versus non-LVH group). LVH patients had shown a greater prevalence of both systolic and diastolic asynchrony than non-LVH patients. A Ts-max value greater than 88 ms had 68% sensitivity and 71% specificity for detecting hypertensive patients with LVH. CONCLUSION: Left ventricular systolic synchronicity was impaired in hypertensive patients with LVH. TDI was shown to be useful for the detection of myocardial abnormalities in such patients.     

伊贝沙坦对高血压左室肥厚患者的左室结构的影响

目的 研究伊贝沙坦对高血压左室肥厚（LVH）患者的左室结构的影响。方法 60例原发性高血压左室肥厚患者随机分为2组：治疗组每天口服伊贝沙坦150mg，对照组每天口服氨氯地平5mg。平均12个月，观察用药后血压、左室结构的变化。结果 用药后2组收缩压（SBP）和舒张压（DBP）均显著降低（P〈0．01）；室间隔厚度（IVST）及左室后壁厚度（LYPWT）均变薄（P〈0．01），左室重量指数（LYMI）明显减少（P〈0．01），对照组各项指标无明显变化（P〈0．05）。结论 对原发性高血压左室肥厚的患者，长期应用伊贝沙坦具有良好降压效果，同时还可逆转LVH，改善患者预后。     

Heart failure in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is supposed to be a useful marker of cardiovascular complications during the course of hypertension. Authors compared the presence of heart failure, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and chronic atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy defined by echocardiography. Hospital records of 192 hypertensives treated in our medical department during years 1996-1999 were analysed. Left ventricular hypertrophy was defined by echocardiography (Penn convention) as left ventricular mass index > 134 g/m2 in men and > 110 g/m2 in women. Presence of LVH was found in 128 patients (mean age 65.9 years), absence of LVH in 64 patients (mean age 64.8 years). Both groups of hypertensives were matched by demographic parameters, by the presence of hyperlipidemia, by smoking habits. Hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy were more often treated by ACE inhibitors. There were statistically significant more patients with heart failure, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and chronic atrial fibrillation in LVH-positive patients than in LVH-negative once. There was also statistically significant lower ejection fraction (50.3 +/- 11.4% vs 56.5 +/- 7.4%) in LVH-positive patients than in LVH-negative once. Left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension brings usually a complicated course of the disease with a high contribution to the development of chronic heart failure.     

老年高血压患者血压变异性与左室肥厚的关系

目的 探讨老年高血原病患者血压变异性（BPV）与左室肥厚的关系。方法 选择216例高血压患者进行24h动态血压监测（ABPM）和超声心动图检查，分析血压变异性与左室肥厚的关系。结果 老年高血压患者合并左室肥厚组与无左室肥厚组比较，年龄、性别、24h平均血压和血糖、血脂水平无显著差异，但左室肥厚组的24h收缩压变异性（16．8±1．9VS14．3±2．3），白昼（14．9±2．5VS13．8±2．4）和夜间（10．8±3．7VS9．7±2．9）收缩压变异性均显著大于无左室肥厚组（P〈0．05）。结论 老年高血斥患者收缩斥波动与左室肥厚密切相关，可能预测高血压靶器官损害和不良心血管事件。     

长期应用依那普利对高血压病患者左室结构及功能影响

观察了28例Ⅱ期高血压病患者平均口服依那普利平均22个月后左室结构及功能改变。结果显示：用药后血压降低总有效率为89．3％，心率无变化。用药后空间隔、左室后壁及左定重量指数均明显下降（P＜0．05），A峰速度及A／E比值明显下降，E峰速度明显增高（P＜0．05）。提示：依那曾利长期治疗可有效降压，并同时逆转左室肥厚，改善左室舒张功能。     

Vectorcardiographic study on left ventricular hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

To observe cardiac changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) functionally, the vectrocardiographic approach was tried, applying the Takayasu lead system to rats. This vectrocardiogram (VCG) was shown to be sufficiently good to detect left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in SHR. VCG in SHR showed specific features, some of which were left upward deviation of the maximum QRS vector in the frontal plane, an increased magnitude of the maximum spatial QRS vector, and prolongations of such indices as the QRS duration, time to the maximum spatial QRS vector and QT interval with abnormal ST-T changes. The P wave of SHR in the X scalar electrocardiogram, lower and wider than that of Wistar-Kyoto rats may also be a significant feature of LVH in SHR. The angle of the maximum QRS vector in the horizontal plane was not proven to be a suitable index of LVH in SHR. Most of the histometrical findings were closely correlated to blood pressure. Some of the vectrocardiographic findings were significantly correlated both to blood pressure and to some of the characteristic findings of LVH, such as the weights of the heart and the left ventricle and so forth. This experiment also indicated that LVH in SHR was not limited only to quantitative myocardial hypertrophy. It also seemed to be related to reversible or irreversible qualitative changes of coronary arteries or myocardium, such as myocardial fibrosis. This vectrocardiographic method was shown to be useful in obtaining various information about the cardiovascular system in rats, especially in SHR, and it seemed to be helpful for further understanding hypertensive cardiac diseases in humans.     

Diminished nocturnal decline in blood pressure in elderly hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy.

To assess the circadian blood pressure (BP) changes in elderly hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the ambulatory BP was measured noninvasively every 30 minutes for 24 hours in those patients with LVH (n = 15) and without LVH (n = 23), and in normotensive elderly subjects (n = 11). Although the daytime systolic BP (SBP) was comparable in the two hypertensive groups, the nighttime SBP in patients with LVH tended to be higher than in patients without LVH (149.0 +/- 15.1 versus 138.4 +/- 20.1 mm Hg, p less than 0.10). The LV mass index correlated significantly with the nighttime SBP (r = 0.43, p less than 0.01), but not with the daytime SBP (r = 0.24, ns), with clinic SBP (r = 0.14, p = ns) or the SBP after handgrip exercise (r = 0.31, p = ns). The difference in the systolic BP between daytime and nighttime (D-N SBP) in patients with LVH (2.8 +/- 9.4 mm Hg) was significantly less than that in patients without LVH (12.8 +/- 16.0 mm Hg) (p less than 0.02). In addition, the D-N SBP correlated inversely with the left ventricular mass index (r = -0.33, p less than 0.05). It was concluded that hypertension in the elderly with LVH was associated with a diminished nocturnal decline in blood pressure.     

Effects of ketanserin of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients

Summary Ketanserin, a serotonergic S₂-receptor antagonist, was used in a prospective study in nine hypertensive patients with ECG criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Echocardiographic measurement with M mode was made after 1 month of placebo, and after 3, 6, and 12 months of ketanserin treatment as monotherapy at a mean dose of 31 mg bid. Ketanserin treatment decreased mean left ventricular mass by 9.3% at 3 months (not significant), by 15.3% at 6 months (p < 0.008), and by 26.2% at 12 months (p < 0.02), with a tendency towards improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction, which was not statistically significant. The study showed a sustained effect upon regression of LVH in hypertensives, with preservation of left ventricular function.     

Microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy: the LIFE study

OBJECTIVES : Left ventricular hypertrophy and albuminuria have both been shown to predict increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the relationship between these markers of cardiac and renal glomerular damage has not been evaluated in a large hypertensive population with target organ damage. The present study was undertaken to determine whether albuminuria is associated with persistent electrocardiographic (ECG) left ventricular hypertrophy, independent of established risk factors for cardiac hypertrophy, in a large hypertensive population with left ventricular hypertrophy who were free of overt renal failure. METHODS : Patients with stage II-III hypertension were enrolled in the study if they had left ventricular hypertrophy on a screening ECG by Cornell voltage-duration product and/or Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria, and clinic blood pressures between 160 and 200/95-115 mmHg and plasma creatinine < 160 mmol/l. A second ECG and morning spot urine were obtained after 14 days of placebo treatment. Renal glomerular permeability was evaluated by urine albumin/creatinine (UACR, mg/mmol). Microalbuminuria was present if UACR > 3.5 mg/mmol and macroalbuminuria if UACR > 35 mg/mmol. RESULTS : The mean age of the 8029 patients was 66 years, 54% were women. Microalbuminuria was found in 23% and macroalbuminuria in 4% of patients. Microalbuminuria was more prevalent in patients of African American (35%), Hispanic (37%) and Asian (36%) ethnicity, heavy smokers (32%), diabetics (36%) and in patients with ECG left ventricular hypertrophy by both ECG-criteria (29%). Urine albumin/creatinine was positively related to Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria and Cornell voltage-duration product criteria. In multiple regression analysis, higher UACR was independently associated with older age, diabetes, higher blood pressure, serum creatinine, smoking and left ventricular hypertrophy. Patients smoking > 20 cigarettes/day had a 1.6-fold higher prevalence of microalbuminuria and a 3.7-fold higher prevalence of macroalbuminuria than never-smokers. ECG left ventricular hypertrophy by Cornell voltage-duration product or Sokolow-Lyon criteria was associated with a 1.6-fold increased prevalence of microalbuminuria and a 2.6-fold increase risk of macroalbuminuria compared to no left ventricular hypertrophy on the second ECG. CONCLUSIONS : In patients with moderately severe hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy on two consecutive ECGs is associated with increased prevalences of micro- and macroalbuminuria compared to patients without persistent ECG left ventricular hypertrophy. High albumin excretion was related to left ventricular hypertrophy independent of age, blood pressure, diabetes, race, serum creatinine or smoking, suggesting parallel cardiac damage and albuminuria.     

Decreased adrenergic response in hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy

To analyze the adrenergic responses and to compare them between hypertensive patients with and without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening (FS) and end-systolic wall stress (ESS) were measured by echocardiography and the inotropic response to the infusion of isoproterenol (0.02 μg/kg/min for 5 min) was studied in 25 hypertensive patients without LVH [H(-)] and 30 hypertensive patients with LVH [H(+)]. LVH was determined by echocardiography. Age, gender, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, LV end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters, and FS were matched between the groups. The tests were performed before introduction of antihypertensi ve treatment or 4 weeks after its discontinuation. ESS showed a significant inverse linear relation with FS in all the subjects before isoproterenol infusion. The inotropic response to isoproterenol was measured as the increase of FS corrected for the decrease of ESS (ΔFS/-ΔESS), that is, the slope of the change of the relation between FS and ESS. The change in ΔFS/-ΔESS was significantly smaller (0.49 ± 0.15 cm²/g, mean ± SD) in H(?) than in H(+) patients (1.01 ± 0.57 cm²/g) (p < 0.001). It is concluded that, compared with the H(+) group, adrenergic response is depressed in H (?) patients. This depression might be etioloically related to the phenomenon that LVH did not develop in the H(?) group in spite of the same level of pressure load as in the H(+) group.     

Reversal of left ventricular hypertrophy by terazosin in hypertensive patients

To assess the reversibility of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) during terazosin therapy, we studied changes in LVH as determined by echocardiography and humoral parameters before and after three and 12 months of terazosin monotherapy in ten patients. Blood pressure decreased within four weeks of treatment and the antihypertensive effect was sustained throughout 12 months. Left ventricular mass index decreased significantly from 126 +/- 22 g/m2 to 109 +/- 24 g/m2 and 98 +/- 23 g/m2 after 3 and 12 months respectively. Interventricular septum (11.2 to 9.8 and 9.0 mm) and posterior wall thickness (10.4 to 9.6 and 8.8 mm) also decreased significantly, whereas left ventricular internal dimensions were unchanged. Total peripheral resistance decreased significantly after initiation of treatment, but cardiac output did not change. Plasma volume, plasma renin activity and plasma noradrenaltine levels were unchanged by terazosin. Thus, terazosin monotherapy reversed LVH associated with decreased peripheral resistance. It is suggested that the reversal of LVH by terazosin is mainly due to the reduction in ventricular afterload and that humoral factors are not involved in its mechanism.     

老年原发性高血压左心室肥厚患者心肾微动脉的病理特征

目的 研究老年原发性高血压左心室肥厚(LVH)患者心、肾微动脉改变的病理特点,以发现两个靶器官微动脉结构变化的异同和相互联系.方法 从解放军总医院1954-2004年连续尸检的病例中,选取年龄≥60岁经临床和尸检证实为原发性高血压LVH患者25例和对照组8例的心、肾标本为研究对象,其中原发性高血压组再按LVH程度(Ⅰ～Ⅲ级)分为三组,予HE、Masson染色后,用光镜配合电脑图像分析,定量检测心、肾微动脉几何形态学参数,并用半定量的方法 评估微动脉的损伤指数和血浆蛋白浸润指数.结果 高血压组心、肾微动脉血管几何形态学参数随LVH程度的增加呈现出有规律的变化趋势,表现为血管内径(ID)、管腔横截面积(LCSA)减小,而血管壁厚度(WT)、血管壁横截面积(WCSA)、壁腔横截面积比值(WCSA/LCSA)和壁厚内径比值(WT/ID)增大;不同外径(OD)范围的心肌、肾脏微动脉WCSA/LCSA和WT/ID比较均发现,随OD的增加,血管的WCSA/LCSA和WT/ID比值减小;相同OD范围的心、肾微动脉各项血管几何形态学参数比较有明显差异(P＜0.05);高血压组心、肾微动脉血浆蛋白浸润指数、血管损伤指数高于对照组(P＜0.01);各组肾脏微动脉血管损伤指数、血浆蛋白浸润指数均高于心肌微动脉(P＜0.01).结论 原发性高血压患者心、肾微动脉均出现向心性重构,在血管OD范围为10～50 μm的微动脉表现最明显,OD＜50μm的微动脉最易出现闭塞;心、肾微动脉血管重构随高血压LVH程度的增加而加重;高血压肾脏微动脉损伤比心肌微动脉重.微动脉病变是高血压靶器官损害的重要病理学基础.     

长期应用奥美沙坦与福辛普利对高血压左室肥厚和心功能的影响

长期高血压可导致心脏和血管的结构和功能改变,这是发生高血压靶器官损害和心脑血管并发症的基础.     

老年高血压患者静息心率与左心室肥厚和肾功能的相关性

目的探讨老年原发性高血压患者静息心率与左心室肥厚(LVH)和肾功能损害的相关性。方法入选老年原发性高血压患者1766例,按静息心率水平分为3组:<70/min为A组560例、70~79/min为B组656例、>79/min为C组550例,心脏超声检查左心室结构和收缩功能,比较各组尿微量白蛋白(MAU)、24 h MAU、血肌酐、肌酐清除率等指标,采用logistic回归分析影响LVH的因素。结果 A组、B组、C组收缩压[(156.8±10.3)mm Hg vs(163.2±10.3)mm Hgvs(171.8±9.2)mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa]、脉压[(60.4±5.6)mm Hgvs(62.0±5.5)mm Hgvs(67.4±6.5)mm Hg]、左心室舒张末内径[(4 8.11±2.45)mm vs(49.99±2.72)mm vs(52.08±2.91)mm]、室间隔厚度[(11.07±0.76)mmvs(11.82±1.38)mmvs(12.93±1.13)mm]、左心室后壁厚度[(9.83±1.00)mm vs(10.44±1.16)mm vs(10.94±1.38)mm]、左心室质量[(162.6±29.7)gvs(159.6±24.8)gvs(179.9±24.8)g]、左心室质量指数[(102.8±8.53)g/m~2vs(107.1±7.82)g/m~2 vs(114.2±8.54)g/m~2]及LVH比例[3.04%vs 14.2%vs 33.1%]比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。多因素回归分析显示,静息心率是LVH的危险因素(OR=4.82,95%CI:3.46~7.83,P=0.009)。结论老年高血压患者静息心率增快与LVH和肾功能损害密切相关,可作为LVH的预测因素,并提示可能有肾功能损伤的趋势。     

Electrocardiographic strain pattern and left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy: the LIFE study

BACKGROUND: Whether the typical electrocardiographic (ECG) strain pattern (Strain, in leads V5 and/or V6), which is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and LV systolic dysfunction, is independently associated with LV diastolic dysfunction is unknown. METHODS: The Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study enrolled hypertensive patients with ECG-LVH, of whom 10% underwent Doppler echocardiography. LV diastolic function measures included peak mitral E and A wave velocities and their ratio (E/A); E wave deceleration time (EDT); atrial filling fraction (AFF); and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT). Normal filling pattern was defined by E/A < 1 with EDT >or= 150 and or=60 ms; abnormal relaxation by E/A < 1 with EDT > 250 ms or IVRT > 100 ms; pseudonormal filling pattern by E/A >or= 1 associated with IVRT > 100 ms or EDT > 250 ms; restrictive pattern by E/A >or= 1 with IVRT < 100 ms and EDT < 250 ms. A combined index of LV systolic-diastolic function was also computed (isovolumic time/ejection time, modified myocardial performance index). Of LIFE echo substudy participants with all needed ECG and Doppler data (n = 791), 110 (14%) had Strain. RESULTS: Strain was associated with male gender, African-American race, diabetes, history of coronary heart disease (CHD), higher systolic blood pressure (BP), LV mass and relative wall thickness, and higher prevalences of echo-LV hypertrophy and wall motion abnormalities, and with slower heart rate (all P < 0.05). Age, diastolic BP and LV ejection fraction were similar in patients with or without Strain. Diastolic parameters, and prevalences of different LV filling patterns, did not differ significantly between patients with versus those without Strain (all P > 0.1), but modified myocardial performance index was higher with Strain (P < 0.05). Findings were consistent in multivariate analyses. The association of Strain with higher modified myocardial performance index was no longer statistically significant after accounting for LV systolic function and wall motion abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: In hypertensive patients with ECG-LVH, the ECG Strain pattern did not identify independently those with more severe LV diastolic abnormalities.