胺碘酮联合厄贝沙坦治疗高血压病合并阵发性房颤的临床疗效观察

目的探讨胺碘酮联合厄贝沙坦治疗高血压病合并阵发性房颤的临床疗效。方法选取2012年2月—2013年3月收治的高血压病合并阵发性房颤患者92例,随机分为对照组和治疗组各46例。对照组给予苯磺酸氨氯地平及胺碘酮治疗,治疗组给予厄贝沙坦及胺碘酮治疗,随访12个月,观察两组治疗前后血压、房颤的复发次数、复发持续时间及左心房内径大小变化情况。结果两组治疗后血压均较治疗前明显降低(P0.05),两组治疗后降压疗效差异无统计学意义(P0.05),治疗组房颤复发次数明显低于对照组(P0.05);治疗组复发持续时间短于对照组(P0.05);治疗组治疗后左房内径比治疗前明显缩小(P0.05),对照组无明显变化,两组治疗后比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论胺碘酮联合厄贝沙坦治疗高血压病合并阵发性房颤患者能有效降低血压,并减少房颤复发次数以及缩短的持续时间,同时长期使用厄贝沙坦还可以抑制左房扩大。     

缬沙坦对病窦综合征双腔起搏术后阵发性心房颤动的影响

目的评价缬沙坦对病窦综合征(SSS)双腔起搏后阵发性心房颤动(AF)的作用。方法双腔起搏器植入术的患者,术后随访时选出有阵发性AF者81例,将其随机分为治疗组(n=41)和对照组(n=40)。在治疗基础疾病的基础上,治疗组给予缬沙坦80 mg,每晚顿服,对照组不予血管紧张素Ⅱ受体阻滞剂类药物治疗。随访1年,观察AF发作次数、AF负荷及左房内径。结果治疗组起搏术后1年AF发作次数、AF负荷、左房内径明显低于对照组(4.2±1.9次/天vs 9.5±3.4次/天,0.395±0.285 h/d vs 0.860±0.316 h/d,35.9±2.7 mm vs 40.7±3.8mm,P均<0.05),亦低于用药前(P<0.01),而对照组上述指标无变化。结论缬沙坦可有效抑制SSS双腔起搏后阵发性AF的发生。     

原发性高血压并发阵发性房颤心房结构和功能的研究

目的应用声学定量(AQ)技术,探讨高血压病有无阵发性房颤(PAF)时左心房结构和功能的变化并筛选高血压病PAF的超声危险因素。方法83例高血压病患者按PAF、有无分为两组,对比分析两组的一般临床特征及声学定量指标。结果PAF组左房内径、左房内径指数、各时相左房容积(EDV、ESV、EREV、OAEV)均明显大于无PAF组,与无PAF组相比,PAF组左房储存器容积(RV)显著增大,LAEF明显降低[RV:(64.61±18.64)vs(49.35±18.43)ml,P<0.001;LAEF:(0.44±0.16)vs(0.54±0.15),P<0.01)。结论与高血压无PAF者相比,高血压伴。PAF者左房容积增大,储存器功能增强,左房助力泵功能减低;左房增大和左房收缩功能减低是高血压病发生PAF的危险因素。     

厄贝沙坦预防阵发性房颤复发的疗效观察

目的评价厄贝沙坦或联合小剂量胺碘酮在预防阵发性房颤复发中的疗效。方法阵发性、症状性房颤患者88例,随机分为厄贝沙坦 胺碘酮、胺碘酮、厄贝沙坦和空白对照组,分别给予厄贝沙坦150mg/d 胺碘酮0.2mg/d、胺碘酮0.2mg/d、厄贝沙坦150mg/d,随访1年。观察房颤复发率、第一次复发间隔、发作频率、房颤持续时间等。结果①房颤复发率:厄贝沙坦 胺碘酮组显著低于对照组组(52.2%,85.0%,p<0.01);②第一次复发间隔:厄贝沙坦 胺碘酮组显著高于厄贝沙坦和对照组(p<0.01;p<0.01),与胺碘酮组比较差异不显著(p>0.05),胺碘酮组又高于对照组(p<0.05),厄贝沙坦组与对照组无显著性差异(p>0.05);③发作频率:厄贝沙坦 胺碘酮组显著低于厄贝沙坦组(p<0.01)、对照组(p<0.01)以及胺碘酮组(p<0.05),胺碘酮组也显著低于厄贝沙坦组(p<0.05)、对照组(p<0.05);厄贝沙坦组与对照组间无显著性差异(p>0.05);④房颤持续时间:厄贝沙坦 胺碘酮组低于对照组(p<0.01)、厄贝沙坦组(p<0.01)和胺碘酮组(p<0.05),胺碘酮组也低于对照组(p<0.05)。厄贝沙坦组与对照组、胺碘酮组比较,均无显著性差异(p>0.05;p>0.05)。结论单用厄贝沙坦与小剂量胺碘酮联合应用,预防房颤复发优于单用胺碘酮。     

风湿性心脏病并发心房颤动的相关因素分析

为探讨风湿性心脏病(简称风心病 )心房颤动 (简称房颤 )发生的相关因素,选择行二尖瓣球囊扩张术治疗的风心病二尖瓣狭窄伴房颤患者 65例为研究对象 (房颤组 ),另取不伴房颤的风心病二尖瓣狭窄患者 65例为对照组。分别记录其病程、心功能状态、心电图及超声心动图结果与各心腔内压力进行对照分析。结果:房颤组较对照组年龄大,病程长,房颤组心功能Ⅲ级以上者占 60%,而对照组仅占 23%。房颤组左房内径较对照组明显增大(44. 31±5. 76mmvs39. 33±5. 45mm),而二尖瓣口面积则较对照组明显小 (0. 844±0. 167mm2 vs1. 114±0. 240mm2,P<0. 001 )。房颤组左房平均压较对照组明显增高(26. 20±6. 16mmHgvs17. 95±7. 09mmHg,P<0. 001)。结论:风心病二尖瓣狭窄患者房颤的发生与二尖瓣口面积、左房平均压升高及左房内径扩大程度密切相关。     

厄贝沙坦联合胺碘酮治疗高血压病合并阵发性房颤的临床观察

目的探究对高血压病合并阵发性房颤患者实施厄贝沙坦联合胺碘酮治疗。方法随机将2016年1月至2017年9月我院96例高血压病合并阵发性房颤患者分为观察组(48例,应用厄贝沙坦联合胺碘酮治疗)、对照组(48例,应用胺碘酮及硝苯地平治疗)。均随访一年,对比两组患者的血压水平、房颤复发率、房颤复发第一次间隔时间、房颤发作频率、房颤持续时间、左心房内径大小。结果观察组治疗后舒张压[(82.23±0.42)mmHg]、收缩压[(126.42±0.29)mmHg]低于对照组[(86.78±2.95)mmHg、(132.30±2.36)mmHg],P0.05;观察组房颤复发率、房颤复发第一次间隔时间均少于对照组,且治疗后左心房内径小于对照组,P0.05。观察组治疗后房颤发作频率[(3.95±1.42)次/年]、房颤持续时间[(16.42±0.29)h]均少于对照组[(6.89±1.95)次/年、(26.30±2.36)h],P0.05。结论对高血压病合并阵发性房颤患者实施厄贝沙坦联合胺碘酮治疗十分可行,不仅可增强降压效果,还能减少房颤复发,缩小左心房内径。     

心脏再同步化治疗慢性心力衰竭伴持续性心房颤动的疗效

目的评价心脏再同步化治疗(CRT)慢性心力衰竭(简称心衰)合并持续性心房颤动(简称房颤)患者的临床疗效。方法选择慢性心衰患者53例,其中42例窦性心律患者及11例房颤患者接受双心室起搏治疗,术后3个月进行随访,观察患者的心功能分级,6 min步行距离,超声心动图测定各房室腔内径大小、左室射血分数(LVEF)、二尖瓣返流以及速度向量成像超声评价同步性参数的变化。结果 53例三腔起搏器置入术均取得成功。与术前相比,术后3个月房颤CRT患者心功能分级(2.30±0.47级vs 3.0±0.02级)、左房内径(44.9±3.8 mm vs52.2±4.2 mm,P<0.05),LVEF(0.43±0.02 vs 0.32±0.03)及二尖瓣返流(1.5±0.2 vs 3.18±1.75,P<0.01)均有明显改善,速度向量成像超声结果显示,室内不同步较术前有明显改善。窦性心律患者术后各项心功能及不同步指标较术前亦有明显改善,与房颤CRT患者比较差异无显著性。结论对于慢性心衰合并持续性房颤患者,CRT与窦性心律一样可以改善心功能。     

高血压病患者的P波离散度及相关因素

目的对有无阵发性房颤(PAF)发生的高血压病患者在窦律时Pd与血压水平和LAV、LAD大小的关系进行研究.方法记录40名无房颤史的高血压病患者和55名有PAF史的高血压病患者在窦律时的12导联体表心电图,计算Pd(Pd=Pmax-Pmin),超声心动图测量LAV和LAD.结果在有PAF史的高血压病患者中Pd明显大于无PAF的高血压病患者(51±12 vs 38±8 ms,P<0.01),两组患者的LAV和LAD无明显差别(105±10 vs 93±18 ml ,47±12 vs 45±10 mm;P>0.05),但大的LAV和LAD组的Pd均明显大于正常的LAV和LAD组(P<0.01).在有PAF史的高血压病患者中,其收缩压均明显高于无房颤史的高血压病患者(170±19 vs 160±13 mmHg,P<0.05).结论高血压病患者Pd增大与发生阵发性房颤可能有关.Pd的大小受LAV或LAD的大小的影响,但LAV或LAD的大小并不是影响Pd的主要因素,收缩压可能在影响Pd大小中起主要作用.     

心房颤动周长与导管消融效果的关系

目的分析不同类型以及不同因素心房颤动(简称房颤)患者房颤周长(AFCL)的特点以及与导管消融效果的关系。方法选取本院行导管消融的房颤患者35例,其中阵发性房颤和持续性房颤分别为20例和15例。所有患者术前房颤心律下行食管电生理检查,记录左房后壁电活动,测量房颤周长。结果持续性房颤AFCL显著短于阵发性房颤患者(143±33 ms vs 151±31 ms,P<0.05)。AFCL与性别、是否合并高血压、糖尿病等因素无关,但AFCL在老龄、房颤病史较长、左房较大的患者中明显缩短。房颤消融术后无复发的患者AFCL明显长于复发患者(152±28 ms vs 133±22 ms,P<0.05)。左房直径和AFCL是房颤消融效果的独立预测因素。结论房颤周长可作为预测房颤预后的重要指标。     

美卡素和可达龙合用治疗心房颤动及对血管紧张素Ⅱ的影响

探讨美卡素和可达龙合用治疗心房颤动(简称房颤)及对血浆血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)的影响。64例持续房颤患者随机分两组,两组均常规给予可达龙和华法令。治疗组在此基础上加用美卡素80mg,1次/日,共6个月。结果:治疗组AngⅡ较对照组明显降低(72.30±16.89ng/Lvs100.10±15.73ng/L,P<0.01)、左房较对照组明显缩小(34.10±6.73mmvs43.10±7.18mm,P<0.05)、4周房颤转复率高(83.3%vs64.3%,P<0.05)、6个月复发率低(10.0%vs23.3%,P<0.05)。结论:美卡素能预防和调整心房电重构,有益于房颤转复和维持。     

阵发性心房颤动患者心房及肺静脉不应期离散度的变化

目的探讨阵发性房颤患者房颤相关组织的电生理特性改变情况。方法选取阵发性房颤患者10例(房颤组)和无房颤病史的左侧旁路有显性预激波患者15例(对照组)。将大头电极分别放置在两组患者左上肺静脉、左下肺静脉、右上肺静脉、右下肺静脉开口及左心房顶壁、前壁、后壁、高位右心房,分别测定各部位有效不应期(EPR)。结果①房颤组心房及肺静脉EPR离散度指数(DI)为0.117±0.028,对照组为0.074±0.029,两组比较,P<0.05。②房颤组左心房ERP为(234.00±28.72)ms,肺静脉ERP为(230.75±32.69)ms;对照组左心房ERP为(248.00±25.99)ms,肺静脉ERP为(244.33±26.78)ms,两组比较,P均<0.05。结论阵发性房颤患者DI明显增大,左心房、肺静脉ERP显著缩短。     

A noninvasive index of atrial remodeling in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation: a pilot study

PurposeThis study aims to develop a noninvasive atrial remodeling index (RI) to separate patients presenting paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (ParAF) from those with sustained persistent atrial fibrillation (PerAF), that is, AF episodes interrupted 7 days or more after the onset.MethodsSignal-averaged P-wave duration (SAPWd) and left atrial anteroposterior diameter (LADd) were measured in 33 ParAF patients, in 26 sustained PerAF patients, and in 18 control subjects. By using SAPWd and LADd, a dichotomous (0/1) RI was created. A logistic regression model on the probability of having a sustained PerAF vs a ParAF episode was estimated, including the RI, sex, age, and cardiac comorbidities as covariates.ResultsSignal-averaged P-wave duration was significantly longer in sustained PerAF (153 ± 15 milliseconds) than in ParAF patients (142 ± 13 milliseconds, P < .001) and in both ParAF and sustained PerAF groups vs control group (123 ± 7 milliseconds, P < .001). Left atrial anteroposterior diameter was larger both in sustained PerAF (43 ± 6 mm) vs ParAF patients (38 ± 5 mm, P = .002) and in sustained PerAF group vs control group (38 ± 2 mm, P = .004), but no differences were observed between ParAF patients and controls (P = .6). A 12-fold increase (odds ratio, 11.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-63.5) in the odds of having a sustained PerAF vs a ParAF episode was observed in patients with RI equal to 1.ConclusionsP-wave duration and left atrium diameter enabled to define a noninvasive atrial RI to separate patients with ParAF from those with sustained PerAF. This could be a useful tool to select a suitable strategy for AF treatment.     

血清中白介素-17和白介素-10水平与心房颤动的相关性

目的:探讨左心房和右心房的白介素-17(IL-17)和白介素-10(IL-10)的水平与心房颤动(房颤)发生的关系。方法:选择42例房颤患者,其中阵发性房颤24例,持续性房颤18;选择阵发性室上速或预激综合征患者17例为对照组。通过ELISA方法检测左心房和右心房IL-10和IL-17水平,并使用心脏超声心动图测量左心房长径。分析血清中IL-10和IL-17细胞因子的水平与房颤左房结构重构程度的关系。结果:房颤组左心房和右心房IL-17明显高于对照组(均P<0.01);房颤组IL-10显著高于对照组(左心房:P<0.01,右心房:P<0.05)。结论:IL-17、IL-10与房颤相关。IL-17升高水平与左心房内径成正比。     

心房颤动病史和心房大小与射频迷宫术疗效的关系

报道风湿性心脏病 (RHD)慢性心房颤动 (AF) 6 6例射频迷宫手术治疗AF的结果 ,通过探讨病史长短和左房大小对射频迷宫手术疗效的影响 ,试述心房重构对AF治疗的影响。手术后恢复窦性心律 (恢复组 )患者和未恢复窦性心律 (未恢复组 )患者AF病史长短和左房大小有显著差异 (3.84± 3.2 4vs 11.13± 8.74年 ,6 6 .17± 9.88vs81.83± 12 .85mm ,P均 <0 .0 1)。AF病史越长手术效果越差 ,AF病史 >3年的患者AF转复率明显低于AF病史 <3年者(72 .5 %vs 96 .2 % ,P <0 .0 1) ;左房越大手术效果越差 ,左房最大直径 >70mm患者AF转复率明显低于 <70mm的患者 (6 1.5 %vs 95 % ,P <0 .0 1)。AF病史长短和左房大小明显影响射频迷宫手术的疗效 ,这可能是心房重构给AF治疗带来的不利影响     

结构重构相关因子对无结构性心脏病房颤患者左房结构重构程度的预测

目的:探讨无结构性心脏病房颤患者的左房或右房基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）、金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子-1（TIMP-1）、转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）血清水平与心房结构重构的关系。方法: 通过ELISA方法检测42例无结构性心脏病房颤患者及17例阵发性室上速或预激综合征患者左房和右房中血清的MMP-9、TIMP-1、TGF-β1和bFGF水平,并使用超声心动图测量左心房长径。分析血清中上述细胞因子的水平与房颤左房结构重构程度的关系。结果: 房颤组左房内径(36±7) mm显著高于对照组(31±4) mm（P<0.01）;房颤组左房血清MMP-9为(3037±804) ng/L,明显高于对照组(2439±663) ng/L（P<0.01）和右房(2635±9308) ng/L（P<0.05）,但右房血清MMP-9与对照组相比未见显著性差异;与对照组相比,房颤组TIMP-1明显降低（P<0.05）,TGF-β1明显升高（P<0.01）,bFGF无显著性差异;MMP-9/TIMP-1与左房内径呈正相关。结论: MMP-9、TIMP-1和TGF-β1与房颤相关,并可提示房颤的结构重构程度。     

氯通道ClC-1、ClC-2在人心房肌的表达及与心房颤动的关系

目的研究氯通道ClC-1和ClC-2基因在人心房组织的表达及与心房颤动(AF)的关系。方法将71例风湿性心瓣膜病接受换瓣手术患者分为三组,窦性心律(SR)组31例,阵发性房颤(PAF)组7例,慢性房颤(CAF)组33例,于术中获取右心耳组织,应用半定量逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测心房组织ClC-1和ClC-2的mR-NA相对含量。结果①ClC-1、ClC-2基因在人心房组织有表达。②与SR组比较,PAF组ClC-1的mRNA表达增加但无统计学意义(1.05±0.22vs1.01±0.13,P>0.05),CAF组的表达明显增加(1.25±0.18vs1.01±0.13,P<0.001),CAF组较PAF组亦明显增加(P<0.01)。ClC-1的mRNA表达水平与左房内径、AF持续时间呈正相关[(r=0.344,P=0.003)(r=0.405,P<0.001)]。③与SR组比较,PAF组ClC-2的mRNA表达无增加(1.03±0.14vs1.04±0.15,P>0.05),CAF组的表达明显增加(1.26±0.13vs1.04±0.15,P<0.001),CAF组较PAF组亦明显增加(P<0.01)。ClC-2的mRNA表达与左房内径、AF持续时间呈正相关[(r=0.441,P<0.001)(r=0.331,P=0.005)]。结论AF患者ClC-1、ClC-2的mRNA表达水平的增加可能是心房肌电重构的分子基础。     

左房内径及其有效不应期与心房颤动的关系

目的探讨左房内径(LAD)及其有效不应期(ERP)变化与心房颤动(简称房颤)的关系。方法应用彩色多普勒超声心动图仪测定151例房颤患者及160例健康体检者LAD、左室后壁厚度、室间隔厚度、射血分数(EF)值。采用食管调搏S1S2扫描的方法测定左房ERP,观察ERP频率适应性。结果房颤组LAD较对照组显著增加(38.81±9.64mmvs26.88±6.72mm),且持续性房颤患者LAD较阵发性房颤患者显著增加。房颤有左室肥厚(LVH)者LAD较非LVH者显著扩大,左房显著扩大者(≥40mm)其EF、每搏输出量下降最明显。房颤组左房ERP较对照组显著缩短,且频率适应性减退。结论LAD扩大及其电重构与房颤发生相关,LAD扩大与LVH及心功能减退有关。     

1335例心房颤动住院患者病因(或相关因素)分析

目的探讨心房颤动(房颤)住院患者的病因(或相关因素)。方法对我院2000年1月~2005年12月出院时诊断为房颤的1335例患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果(1)入选患者1335例,年龄为19~101(68.7±11.9)岁,男女比例为1.31∶1,阵发性、持续性、永久性房颤分别为54.7%、10.6%、34.7%。(2)房颤病因(或相关因素)统计:老年70%,高血压57.3%,冠心病26.3%,风湿性心脏病12.8%,糖尿病19.8%,贫血18.6%。54.1%合并有心房扩大,12.6%有左心室射血分数下降。<45岁年龄组的首位病因(或相关因素)为风心病,而≥45岁年龄组为高血压。(3)随着高血压病程延长,房颤发生增加,但左心房内径无进一步增加。(4)房颤患者左心房前后径为阵发性房颤<持续性房颤<永久性房颤[(38.81±7.69)mm<(43.55±8.05)mm<(48.05±10.33)mm,P<0.05]。(5)随着房颤病程的延长左心房前后径增加[<5年:(39.98±8.05)mm,5~10年:(44.18±10.84)mm,>10年:(46.17±10.63)mm,P<0.05]。结论老年和高血压是房颤最常见的病因(或相关因素),应积极控制高血压,减少或延缓房颤的发生、发展。     

Characteristics and significance of very early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation

Very Early Recurrence of AF. Introduction: Early restoration of sinus rhythm following ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) facilitates reverse atrial remodeling and improves the long‐term outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors and outcome in patients with very early AF recurrences (< 2 days). Methods and Results: Ablation was performed in 339 consecutive AF patients (paroxysmal AF = 262). Biatrial voltage was mapped during sinus rhythm. If recurrent AF occurred within 2 days following the ablation, electrical cardioversion was performed to restore sinus rhythm. Very early recurrences of AF occurred in 39 (15%) patients with paroxysmal AF and 26 (34%) with nonparoxysmal AF. Patients with very early recurrence had a higher incidence of nonparoxysmal AF (40% vs 18.6%, P< 0.001), requirement of electrical cardioversion during procedure, larger left atrial (LA) diameter (43 ± 7 vs 39 ± 6 mm, P< 0.001), lower left ventricular ejection fraction (54 ± 10% vs 59 ± 7, P< 0.001), longer procedural time, and lower LA voltage (1.5 ± 0.7 vs 1.9 ± 0.8 mV, P< 0.001). A multivariate analysis revealed that the independent predictors of a very early recurrence were a longer procedural time and lower LA voltage. During a follow‐up of 13 ± 5 months, a very early recurrence did not predict the long‐term outcome of a single procedure recurrence in the patients with paroxysmal AF, but was associated with a late recurrence in the nonparoxysmal AF patients. Conclusion: Very early recurrence occurred in patients with paroxysmal AF is not associated with long‐term recurrence. Nonparoxysmal AF is an independent predictor of late recurrence of AF in patients with very early recurrence. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. pp. 1‐6)     

Left atrial function and ventricular filling in hypertensive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Objectives. We evaluated left atrial dimensions and function, as well as left ventricular structure and filling, in hypertensive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.Background. In hypertensive patients, left atrial dilation and enhanced volume transport may facilitate arrhythmias.Methods. Left ventricular two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiograms and pulsed Doppler echocardiography of transmitral flow were performed in 17 consecutive primary hypertensive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (group EHf) and in 34 patients with high blood pressure without this arrhythmia (group EH). Seventeen normal subjects (group N) were also investigated. Groups were matched for age and gender.Results. The EH and EHf groups had similar systolic arterial pressures ([mean ± SD] group EH 185 ± 27, group EHf 173 ± 25 mm Hg, p = NS) and left ventricular mass index (group EH 154 ± 55, group EHf 131 ± 57.8 g/m², p = NS), and their M-mode left ventricular systolic wall stress and fractional shortening were comparable to those of normal subjects. M-mode left atrial maximal (group N 37.8 ± 6, group EH 37.9 ± 4.6, group EHf 44.6 ± 6.7 mm, p < 0.05 for group EHf vs. groups N and EH) and minimal diameters and the diameter preceding atrial contraction (group N 31 ± 3.6, group EH 34.5 ± 5, group EHf 40.4 ± 6.9 mm, p < 0.001 for group EHf vs. group N; p < 0.05 for group EHf vs. group EH) were greater in group EHf than in group EH and group N subjects, whereas only the latter diameter was increased in group EH (p < 0.05 vs. group N), so that left atrial fractional shortening was higher than normal only in group EH (group N 10.8 ± 4.4%, group EH 14.6 ± 5.5%, group EHf 9.3 ± 5.3%; group EH vs. group N, p < 0.05; group EHf vs. group EH, p < 0.05). The pulsed Doppler ratio of early to late transmitral flow rates (E and A wave velocity/time integrals × mitral annulus area) was lower than normal in group EH (group N 2.9 ± 2.2, group EH 1.75 ± 0.8, group EHf 2.8 ± 0.8; group EH vs. group N, p < 0.05; group EHf vs. group EH, p < 0.001; group EHf vs. group N, p = NS) and was “normalised” in group EHf, early flow being increased in this group (group N 42 ± 13, group EH 39 ± 29, group EHf 60 ± 17 ml; group EHf vs. group N, p < 0.05; group EHf vs. group EH, p < 0.05).Conclusions. These results suggest that the occurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in hypertension is associated with enlargement of the left atrium, depression of its contractile function and “normalization” of the pattern of left ventricular filling and is independent of left ventricular hypertrophy and systolic wall stress. The mechanisms linking these variables remain undefined.