Left atrial size in 164 hypertensive patients: an echocardiographic and ambulatory blood pressure study

BACKGROUND: Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization. Whether or not LAE reflects early structural change from hypertension is unclear. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between LA size, 24-h blood pressure measurements, age, body mass index (BMI), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in hypertensive patients. METHODS: We studied 164 outpatients (age range 30-76 years, 73 men and 91 women) with mild to moderate hypertension. Physical examination, electrocardiogram, noninvasive blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), Doppler echocardiogram were performed. Left ventricular mass index and LA dimensions were calculated. The sample was divided by age (< 60 and > or = 60 years). RESULTS: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was present in 45% of patients aged < 60 years and in 70% of patients aged > or = 60 years (p = 0.002). Left atrial enlargement (> 4 cm) was present in 35% of elderly and in 24% of young patients (p = 0.31), and in 36% of patients with and 21% of patients without LVH (p = 0.0057). There was no significant difference in the younger patients with and without LVH. The incidence of obesity was low (31%) in the whole sample. The percentage of overweight in the elderly patients with LVH and higher LA size was equally low. Multivariate analysis showed age (p = 0.044) and LVMI (p = 0.002) as the only significant predictors of LA enlargement. CONCLUSION: Since LAE is associated with a high risk of death and CV hospitalization, we emphasize the importance of development and use of drugs that inhibit LVH.     

Increased left ventricular mass index and nocturnal systolic blood pressure in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria.

AIMS: To compare left ventricular mass (LVM) index and function in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without microalbuminuria and to investigate the clinical determinants of left ventricular hypertrophy. METHODS: Echocardiography, electrocardiography and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed in microalbuminuric (n = 29) and normoalbuminuric (n = 29) patients with Type 2 diabetes and no clinical evidence of heart disease. Groups were individually matched for age, sex and diabetes duration and smoking status. RESULTS: LVM index (62 (34-87) vs. 52 (33-89) g/m2.7, P = 0.04) and LVH prevalence, using two out of three definitions, were greater in patients with microalbuminuria (LVM/height2.7: 72 vs. 59%, P = 0.27, LVM/height: 66 vs. 38%, P = 0.04, LVM/body surface area: 59 vs. 31%, P = 0.03). Night-time systolic blood pressure (126 (99-163) vs. 120 (104-157) mmHg, P = 0.005) and the night/day systolic blood pressure ratio (0.92 (0.08) vs. 0.88 (0.06), P = 0.04) were higher in those with microalbuminuria. Systolic and diastolic function were similar in both groups. Linear regression analyses showed that body mass index (BMI) was significantly related to loge LVM index (R2 = 11.8%, P = 0.005) and a relationship with night/day systolic blood pressure was also suggested (R2 = 4.6%, P = 0.057). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Type 2 diabetes, LVH is more common and severe in those with microalbuminuria. Its presence may be related to raised night/day systolic blood pressure ratio and is significantly related to BMI. The high prevalence of LVH strengthens the case for echocardiographic screening in Type 2 diabetes to identify high risk patients who might benefit from aggressive cardiovascular risk factor intervention.     

Prevalence and determinants of left ventricular diastolic filling abnormalities in an unselected hypertensive population

The independent contribution of age, sex, duration of hypertension, heart rate, clinic and ambulatory blood pressure and echocardiographic left ventricular mass to left ventricular diastolic filling abnormalities in essential hypertension was investigated in 250 subjects (145 untreated and unselected hypertensives and 105 healthy normotensive controls) undergoing Doppler and standard echocardiography and non-invasive 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Late and early diastolic transmitral peak flow velocities and their ratio (all P less than 0.01), the rate of deceleration of early diastolic mitral flow (P less than 0.01) and the time of deceleration of early diastolic mitral flow (P = 0.018) were abnormal in the hypertensive group vs controls. None of these parameters significantly varied in the presence vs absence of LV hypertrophy. In the hypertensive group, the prevalence of abnormal age-corrected Doppler values varied up to 46% (up to 45.4% and 50% in the absence and presence of left ventricular hypertrophy, respectively; P = n.s.). In a stepwise multivariate regression analysis, age and average daytime or night-time ambulatory blood pressure showed a significant independent relationship with each of these Doppler indexes of left ventricular diastolic filling. Late transmitral peak flow velocity and the ratio of late to early peak flow velocity were also independently affected by the heart rate. Sex, duration of hypertension, clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure and left ventricular mass index did not show any independent relationship to these Doppler parameters of left ventricular filling. In conclusion, Doppler abnormalities of diastolic transmitral blood flow were detected in up to 46% of patients in an unselected hypertensive population with a low prevalence (14.5%) of left ventricular hypertrophy. Age and ambulatory blood pressure, but not sex, duration of hypertension, clinic blood pressure and left ventricular mass itself, were the major independent determinants of these abnormalities.     

NT-proBNP in normoalbuminuric patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To examine levels of NT-proBNP and its relation to hypertension, as well as diastolic function in normoalbuminuric patients with Type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study comprised 60 Type 2 diabetic patients without albuminuria. Thirty patients were normotensive and 30 had hypertension. Exclusion criteria were cardiac symptoms and an ejection fraction < 55%. Thirty age- and sex-matched normal subjects served as controls. Diastolic dysfunction was assessed with echocardiography, by means of mitral inflow and colour M-Mode flow propagation recordings. RESULTS: Overall NT-proBNP was significantly elevated in the Type 2 diabetes group, compared with the controls [54.5 pg/ml (5-162) vs. 32.7 pg/ml (5-74.3) P = 0.02]. NT-proBNP was significantly higher among hypertensive patients compared with both normotensive patients and controls but no difference was found between the normotensive patients and the controls [58.0 pg/ml (8.5-162), P < 0.05 vs. 50.8 pg/ml (5-131) P = 0.4]. Patients with concentric and eccentric hypertrophy had significantly higher NT-proBNP levels compared with the control group [81.0 pg/ml (5-147), P < 0.001 and 66.8 pg/ml (42-128), P < 0.001], whereas patients with left ventricular remodelling (enlarged relative wall diameter but normal left ventricular mass) were comparable with the control group [42.3 pg/ml (8.3-142) P = 0.55]. Patients with left atrial enlargement also had incremental NT-proBNP values. NT-proBNP was only moderately correlated to age (r = 0.33, P < 0.05) and left ventricular diastolic diameter (r = 0.41, P < 0.05), but unrelated to diastolic function. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP is significantly increased in hypertensive, normoalbuminuric patients with Type 2 diabetes. These findings were related to left ventricular hypertrophy and increased left atrial and ventricular diameters.     

动态脉压对老年高血压病患者左心室肥厚及主动脉根部扩张的影响

目的研究老年高血压病患者动态脉压(24 h PP)与左心室肥厚(LVH)及主动脉根部(AOD)扩张的相关关系。方法对60例老年高血压病患者进行动态血压(ABP)和超声心动图等检查,分别测量ABP和超声心动图的各种参数。将24 h PP≥60 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)的患者30例作为A组,24 h PP<60 mm Hg的患者30例作为B组。结果A、B两组LVH和AOD扩张的发生率差异有显著性意义(P<0.01)。左心室重量指数与24 h PP2、4 h平均收缩压(24 h SBP)密切相关(P<0.01),与脉压和收缩压呈正相关(P<0.05)。AOD与24 h PP、24 h SBP、年龄和病程密切相关(P<0.01)。结论老年高血压病患者的24 h PP与LVH及AOD扩张密切相关,24 h PP可作为评价抗高血压药物能否更好地减少高血压病患者靶器官损害的重要指标之一。     

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.     

老年原发性高血压患者血压晨峰与左心室肥厚的关系

目的探讨老年原发性高血压患者血压晨峰与左心室肥厚的关系。方法选择老年原发性高血压患者80例,根据24 h动态血压监测分为2组:血压晨峰值≥55 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)为晨峰组,血压晨峰值<55mm Hg为非晨峰组,每组40例,均常规行超声心动图检查,计算左心室重量指数(LVMI)。结果晨峰组24h、昼间、夜间收缩压及血压晨峰均明显高于非晨峰组(P<0.05),晨峰组LVMI明显高于非晨峰组;左心室肥厚比例明显高于非晨峰组(P<0.05)。结论老年原发性高血压患者血压晨峰与左心室肥厚密切相关。     

高龄高血压患者动态脉压和血脂与左心室肥厚的关系

目的探讨高龄高血压患者动态脉压(APP)和血脂与左心室肥厚(LVH)的相关性。方法入选年龄≥80岁的高血压患者110例,进行24 h动态血压监测、超声心动图检查及血脂检测。根据APP分为高脉压组(≥60mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)74例和低脉压组(<60 mm Hg)36例,以左心室重量指数(LVMI)作为LVH的诊断标准,又分为LVH组50例和非LVH组60例。并进行相关分析和logistic回归分析。结果与低脉压组比较,高脉压组LVMI、LVH的发生率及各收缩压参数明显升高(P<0.05)。LVH组24 h收缩压、昼间收缩压、APP、脉压指数明显高于非LVH组(P<0.05),2组舒张压差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。LVMI与APP、脉压指数、24 h收缩压、昼间收缩压、夜间收缩压呈正相关,与HDL-C呈负相关(P<0.05),与所有舒张压参数均无相关性(P>0.05)。APP是LVH的独立危险因素(OR=1.057,95%CI:1.018～1.096,P=0.003)。结论在高龄高血压患者中,APP与LVMI密切相关,是LVH的独立危险因素;HDL-C与LVMI密切相关。     

Nighttime mean arterial pressure is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in white‐coat hypertension

White‐coat hypertension (WCH) is associated with increased cardiovascular risks. To investigate the relationship between WCH and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), the authors recruited 706 participants who underwent anthropometric measurements, blood laboratory analysis, 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and echocardiography. The authors defined WCH as elevated office BP but normal ABPM over 24h, daytime, and nighttime periods. The authors compared the proportion of LVH between the true normotension (NT) and the WCH population, and further assessed the associations between BP indexes and LVH in the two groups, respectively. The proportion of LVH was significantly higher in the WCH group than in NT participants (19.70% vs. 13.12%, P = .036). In the NT group, 24h SBP, 24h PP, daytime SBP, daytime PP and SD of nighttime SBP were associated with LVH after adjustment for demographic and blood biochemical data (all P < .05). In the WCH population, LVH was associated with 24h SBP, nighttime SBP, nighttime MAP, and office SBP after adjustment (all P < .05). However, on forward logistic regression analysis with all the BP indexes listed above, only 24h SBP (OR = 1.057, 1.017–1.098, P < .001) in the NT group, and nighttime MAP (OR = 1.114, 1.005–1.235, P < .05) and office SBP (OR = 1.067, 1.019–1.117, P < .001) in the WCH group were still significantly associated with LVH. Our study suggests that the proportion of LVH is higher in WCH patients than in the NT population. Furthermore, elevated nighttime MAP and office SBP may play critical roles in the development of LVH in the WCH population.     

高血压患者左室肥厚及主动脉根内径与动态血压的关系

目的探讨ＡＢＰ与左室后壁厚度（ＬＶＰＷＴ），室间膈厚度（ＩＶＳＴ）及主动脉内径（ＡＯＤ）之间的联系。方法对８８例原发性高血压患者应用超声心动图及动态血压计同时测定其ＬＶＰＷＴ、ＩＶＳＴ、ＡＯＤ及动态血压各参数值。结果左室肥厚（ＬＶＰＷＴ或／和ＩＶＳ）者５０例，主动脉根扩张者６０例。相关分析显示ＬＶＰＷＴ、ＬＶＳＴ及ＡＯＤ、动态血压各参数平均值呈显著正相关（Ｐ＜０．０５），其中与２４ｈ平均收缩压、最高收缩压及夜间平均收缩压相关最密切（Ｐ＜０．０１），此外ＬＶＰＷＴ，ＩＶＳＴ及ＡＯＤ与２４ｈ最高收缩压与最低收缩压之差（ΔＡＢＰｓ）及２４ｈ最高舒张压与最低舒张压之差（ΔＡＢＰｓ）亦呈正相关（Ｐ＜０．０５），其中与ΔＡＢＰｓ相比更密切（Ｐ＜０．０１）。结论血压波动性是左室肥厚及主动脉根内径的影响因素。     

Left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with increased sirtuin level in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients

Background: Arterial hypertension is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in general population. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has diverse anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant, and anti-apopytosis effects on endothelium and is associated with endothelial aging and dysfunction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relation of serum SIRT1 level with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

Methods: One hundered and twenty-five consecutive, newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were divided into two groups with regard to presence of LVH and compared to 40 healthy control subjects. LVH was determined by transthoracic echocardiography using the cube formula. Serum SIRT1 level was analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Serum SIRT1 level was significantly higher in patients with LVH compared to those without LVH (14.3 ± 3.9 ng/ml vs. 7.9 ± 3.6 ng/ml, ?P < 0.001) and healthy control subjects (14.3 ± 3.9 ng/ml vs 6.6 ± 2.0 ng/ml, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed higher serum SIRT1 level independently predicted LVH in hypertensive patients (OR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.30–1.73; P < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated a cutoff value of 9.4 had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 74% for the prediction of LVH (AUC 0.885; 95% CI, 0.815–0.935; ?P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: SIRT1 was a powerful biomarker for predicting LVH in hypertensive patients.     

Impairment of cardiac function in hypertensive patients with Type 2 diabetes: a LIFE study.

AIMS: Type 2 diabetic patients with hypertension have an increased left ventricular (LV) mass and impaired cardiac function compared to hypertensive patients without diabetes. However, it is unknown if the impaired cardiac function can be explained solely by LV hypertrophy, or is independently related to diabetes. The aim of the present study was to compare LV function between diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic LV hypertrophy. METHODS: In 937 patients participating in the LIFE echocardiographic substudy, all echocardiograms were centrally evaluated by a core reading centre measuring LV mass, systolic and diastolic LV function. Known diabetes was present in 105 patients. RESULTS: Left ventricular mass was similar in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Endocardial systolic LV function, estimated by LV ejection fraction, was reduced and indices of midwall systolic LV function were impaired in the diabetic patients. Diastolic LV filling pattern was impaired and arterial stiffness, measured by pulse pressure/stroke index, was increased in diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Systolic and diastolic LV function in hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic LV hypertrophy and diabetes are impaired independent of LV mass, most likely reflecting the adverse effects of diabetes per se.     

Epicardial coronary artery size in hypertensive and physiologic left ventricular hypertrophy

BACKGROUND: In the hypertensive heart, epicardial arteries are not enlarged, despite increased total coronary flow related to augmented cardiac workload, wall stress, and left ventricular (LV) mass. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of different hemodynamic factors and LV mass on baseline left main coronary artery (LMA) size in hypertensive LV hypertrophy (LVH) and physiologic LVH, used as a pressure-independent model of hypertrophy. METHODS: In 104 subjects without coronary disease (26 normotensive subjects without LVH, 15 athletes with physiologic LVH, and 63 untreated hypertensive subjects [28 without and 35 with LVH]), LMA size and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were measured by transesophageal echocardiography, and LV mass, volumes, stroke work, and wall stress were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: The LMA area in normotensive control subjects, athletes, and hypertensive subjects without and with LVH was 13.2 +/- 4.2, 17.5 +/- 2.9, 10.1 +/- 3.2 and 13.1 +/- 3.9 mm(2). In normotensive control subjects, LMA size increased with body surface area, rate-pressure product, stroke work, and LV mass or wall thickness (r = 0.39, 0.39, 0.47 and 0.67 or 0.62, P < .05-0.01). In athletes with physiologic LVH, LMA area increased with CFR (0.65, P < .01). In the whole hypertensive population, LMA lumen increased with LV mass (r = 0.40, P < .01), and decreased with office systolic blood pressure (r = -0.48, P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: In the hypertensive LVH, baseline LMA area is not increased and is inversely related to office systolic blood pressure. In the physiologic LVH, increase in baseline LMA size seems to reflect effect of high-flow stimuli.     

Left ventricular diastolic filling in patients with left ventricular dysfunction

The pattern of abnormal left ventricular diastolic filling and its specificity in coronary disease patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction has received little attention. We evaluated the left ventricular diastolic filling curve derived from gated blood pool scans in 21 normals, 61 coronary disease patients with ejection fractions less than or equal to 30%, and 51 congestive cardiomyopathy patients with ejection fraction less than or equal to 30%. The peak filling rate (PFR), peak ejection rate (PER), PFR/PER and the % stroke volume filled at 1/3 of diastole (%SV-1/3 DT) and at the end of the rapid filling period (%SV-RFP) were determined for each group. The PFR and PER were reduced in both coronary disease and congestive cardiomyopathy groups. The PFR/PER was increased in the coronary disease group (1.19 +/- 0.28) and congestive cardiomyopathy group (1.21 +/- 0.32) as compared to normals (0.93 +/- 0.20, P less than 0.001). A greater %SV-1/3 DT and %SV-RFP were noted in both coronary disease and congestive cardiomyopathy groups. Coronary disease and congestive cardiomyopathy patients with a mean pulmonary capillary pressure (PCP) greater than or equal to 18 mm Hg had a greater PFR/PER, %SV-1/3 DT, and %SV-RFP than patients with a PCP less than 18 mm Hg. An abnormal and nonspecific pattern of left ventricular diastolic filling is present in both coronary disease and congestive cardiomyopathy patients and is characterized by an increased PFR/PER, a greater %SV-1/3 DT, and a greater %SV-RFP. This pattern may be related to elevated PCPs.     

高血压左室肥厚及构型与室性心律失常的关系

为探讨高血压左室肥厚(LVH)及不同构型与室性心律失常的关系,对320例有或无左室肥厚(LVH)高血压患者进行超声心动图、24h动态心电图检测.结果表明:LVH为105例,检出率为32.8%.复杂性室性心律失常的发生率在有无LVH组间有显著性差异(P<0.05),LVH程度与复杂性室性心律失常级别有密切的关系(r=0.57,p<0.05),LVH不同构型之间复杂性室性心律失常的发生率存在显著差异(p<0.05),不对称性LVH发生率较高.因此,对于肥厚程度较重、不对称LVH的高血压患者要给予高度重视.     

Associations of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Geometry with Adverse Outcomes in Patients with CKD and Hypertension

Background and objectives

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and abnormal left ventricular (LV) geometry predict adverse outcomes in the general and hypertensive populations, but findings in CKD are still inconclusive.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We enrolled 445 patients with hypertension and CKD stages 2–5 in two academic nephrology clinics in 1999–2003 who underwent both echocardiography and ambulatory BP monitoring. LVH (LV mass >100 g/m² [women] and >131 g/m² [men]) and relative wall thickness (RWT) were used to define LV geometry: no LVH and RWT≤0.45 (normal), no LVH and RWT>0.45 (remodeling), LVH and RWT≤0.45 (eccentric), and LVH and RWT>0.45 (concentric). We evaluated the prognostic role of LVH and LV geometry on cardiovascular (CV; composite of fatal and nonfatal events) and renal outcomes (composite of ESRD and all-cause death).

Results

Age was 64.1±13.8 years old; 19% had diabetes, and 22% had CV disease. eGFR was 39.9±20.2 ml/min per 1.73 m². LVH was detected in 249 patients (56.0%); of these, 125 had concentric LVH, and 124 had eccentric pattern, whereas 71 patients had concentric remodeling. Age, women, anemia, and nocturnal hypertension were independently associated with both concentric and eccentric LVH, whereas diabetes and history of CV disease associated with eccentric LVH only, and CKD stages 4 and 5 associated with concentric LVH only. During follow-up (median, 5.9 years; range, 0.04–15.3), 188 renal deaths (112 ESRD) and 103 CV events (61 fatal) occurred. Using multivariable Cox analysis, concentric and eccentric LVH was associated with higher risk of CV outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 2.59; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.39 to 4.84 and HR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.47 to 5.26, respectively). Similarly, greater risk of renal end point was detected in concentric (HR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.44 to 3.80) and eccentric (HR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.42 to 3.74) LVH. Sensitivity analysis using LVH and RWT separately showed that LVH but not RWT was associated with higher cardiorenal risk.

Conclusions

In patients with CKD, LVH is a strong predictor of the risk of poor CV and renal outcomes independent from LV geometry.     

Effects of lisinopril vs hydralazine on left ventricular hypertrophy and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in essential hypertension

In order to compare the long-term effects on ambulatory bloodpressure and left ventricular hypertrophy of hydralazine andlisinopril we studied 30 patients, all , nales, still hypertensive(diastolic blood pressure 95 mmHg) despite combined beta-blockerldiuretictherapy and with echocardiographic evidence of left ventricularhypertrophy (left ventricular mass index 131 g. m^–1)They were randomized to receive hydralazine slow release 50mg twice daily or lisinopril 20mg once daily in addition toprevious therapy (atenolol 50 mglchlorthalidone 125 mg) for6 months. Casual blood pressure, non-invasive ambulatory bloodpressure monitoring (ABPM), M-mode echocardiogram, plasma reninactivity and plasma catecholamines were evaluated before therandomization and after 6 months of treatment. Both drugs significantlyreduced casual as well as daytime systolic and diastolic bloodpressure, without statistical differrences between the two treatments.Lisinopril was sign more effective than hydralazine in reducingnight-time systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Plasma norepinephrinewas significantly reduced by lisinopril and increased by hydralazine.Left ventricular mass was significantly reduced by lisinoprilbut not by hydralazine. The results of linear regression andmultiple regression analysis suggested that the lisinopril-induceddecrease in both day- and night-time blood pressure might accountfor the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, whereasthe lack of left ventricular hypertrophy regression during hydralazinetreatment could be due mainly to the reflex sympathetic activationinduced by the drug.     

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。     

高血压患者动态脉搏波速度与左室肥厚和左心功能的关系

目的 探讨高血压患者动态脉搏波速度（pulse wave velocity, PWV）与左心室重构和左室舒张功能的关系。方法 本研究回顾性收集在2011年5月-2013年1月期间,于卫生部北京医院门诊或住院的≥18岁的原发性高血压患者,采用Mobil-O-Graph PWA无创动态血压监测仪测量动态血压和动态PWV。同期进行超声心动图检查,评估左心室结构和功能。采用Pearson相关分析,比较动态PWV和左室结构功能参数之间的相关性。采用二元Logistics回归分析,分析动态PWV、年龄、性别、体重指数、糖尿病、吸烟、血脂异常和是否服用降压药物对左室肥厚（LVH）的影响。结果 总共有136患者纳入此研究。平均年龄55.4±14.1岁,72.1%为男性。动态PWV平均值为8.10±1.97ms-1,动态PWV与左心室质量指数（LVMI）（r=0.257,p=0.003）和左心房前后径（r=0.431,p<0.001）呈显著正相关,与E/A比值呈显著负相关（r=-0.337,p<0.001）。二元logistic回归分析显示,高血压患者动态PWV是LVH的独立危险因素。结论：高血压患者中,动态PWV与LVMI相关,可能是LVH的独立危险因素。     

Left ventricular mechanical efficiency in hypertensive patients with and without increased myocardial mass and with normal pump function

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a physiologic process of adaptation of the heart to mechanical load increase. Despite depression of left ventricular contractile performance, mechanical efficiency and ventriculoarterial coupling are preserved in hypertensive patients with LVH. To assess the differences between patients with and without LVH, left ventricular contractile performance and the ventriculoarterial coupling were compared in two groups of hypertensive patients with similar body surface area and arterial pressures, and normal pump function: 30 patients with LVH (group 1) and 23 without LVH (group 2). Left ventricular angiography coupled with simultaneous recording of pressures with a micromanometer were used to determine end-systolic stress-to-volume ratio (ESSVR), end-systolic elastance (Ees), effective arterial elastance (Ea), external work (EW), and pressure–volume area (PVA). Myocardial contractile performance, assessed by Ees normalized by myocardial mass and by ESSVR, was lower in group 1 than in group 2 (1.23 ± 0.28 v 1.89 ± 0.48 mm Hg/mL/100 g, and 3.85 ± 0.99 v 5.13 ± 0.56 g/cm²/mL, respectively, both P < .001). Ventriculoarterial coupling evaluated through Ea/Ees ratio, and mechanical efficiency evaluated through EW/PVA ratio, were similar in the two groups (0.53 ± 0.08 v 0.51 ± 0.05, and 0.78 ± 0.03 v 0.80 ± 0.02, respectively, NS). In conclusion, this study shows that ventriculoarterial coupling and mechanical efficiency are comparable in hypertensive patients with and without LVH. These results suggest that in hypertensive patients, the matching between left ventricular performance and arterial load and the energy transfer are preserved either through left ventricular hypertrophy with moderate depression of myocardial contractile performance or through enhancement of myocardial contractile performance in patients with normal left ventricular mass.