QT dispersion and left ventricular geometry in hypertensive patients

It has been shown that increased QT dispersion (QTd) reflects electrical inhomogeneity of the myocardium and is associated with high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. In some cases increased QTd has also been found in some hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. The aim of the study was to investigate the relation between QTd and left ventricular (LV) geometry in hypertensive patients (pts). Studied group consisted of 80 pts aged 52.5 +/- 12.6 yrs with mild, moderate and severe hypertension. Nineteen healthy subjects aged 50.5 +/- 9.6 yrs served as control group. QTd was calculated as a difference between the longest QT and shortest QT from the 12-leads of the standard electrocardiogram. Each subject underwent echocardiographic study to determine the pattern of LV geometry divided into: normal (NG), concentric remodeling (CR), excentric hypertrophy (EH) and concentric hypertrophy (CH). Significantly higher QTd was found out in pts with CH and EH as compared to CG (respectively 61 +/- 10 ms, 69 +/- 15 ms vs 46 +/- 14 ms, p < 0.01). Moreover, pts with CH had higher QTd than NG (69 +/- 15 ms vs 55 +/- 15 ms, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: QTd is related to the pattern of LV geometry. As compared to healthy subjects it is increased in hypertensive pts with concentric and eccentric hypertrophy. In pts with CH QTd is significantly greater than in hypertensive pts with normal geometry.     

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.     

Association of platelet function in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, transient myocardial ischemia, and coronary artery disease

The aim of the study was to evaluate how platelet aggregation relates to left ventricular hypertrophy, presence of transient myocardial ischemia and coronary atherosclerosis in essential hypertensive patients. For that purpose platelet aggregation, symptom-limited treadmill-test, echocardiography and coronary angiography were performed in 65 male patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension. Aggregation was monitored both by a turbidometric method and by a method based on real-time estimation of mean aggregate size. Platelet function was also studied in 18 male normotensive subjects. Hypertensive patients with transient myocardial ischemia were characterized by increased platelet sensitivity to adenosine diphosphate, thromboxane A2 mimetic-U46619, serotonin, platelet activating factor and by increased spontaneous aggregability of platelets compared with normotensive subjects and to patients without myocardial ischemia. Platelet aggregation induced by low doses of agonists positively correlated with the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy. This study provides evidence that platelets play an important role in myocardial ischemia. Besides, it was found that platelet activity positively correlated with the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy. This may provide an additional link between left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary heart disease in hypertensive patients.     

Echocardiographic left ventricular geometry in hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy: The LIFE Study

Aim: To assess the prevalence of echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and concentric remodeling in hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic (ECG)-LVH and to estimate the costeffectiveness of echocardiography and ECG for detection of LVH.Design: Echocardiographic LV measurements and the prevalence of abnormal LV geometric patterns were compared between 964 hypertensive patients with ECG-LVH (Cornell voltage-duration product > 2440 and/or SV₁     

左室压力-应变环对冠心病患者心肌做功评价的初步研究

目的 应用左室压力-应变环（LVPSL）评价冠状动脉狭窄患者心肌做功的改变情况,探讨心肌做功参数在诊断冠心病中的临床价值。 方法 疑诊冠心病患者111例,根据冠脉造影结果分为两组:对照组（冠脉无狭窄或狭窄<50%）33例;冠心病组（至少一支冠脉狭窄≥50%）78例,将冠心病组分为有节段性室壁运动异常组26例,无节段性室壁运动异常组52例;分别采集心尖四腔、两腔、左室长轴切面动态图像,应用Echo PAC工作站获取左室整体纵向应变(GLS),进入心肌做功分析模式,得出LVPSL,最终获取长轴整体做功指数（GWI）、整体有效功（GCW）、整体无效功（GWW）、整体做功效率（GME）。 结果 与对照组相比,冠心病组GLS、GWI、GCW、GME均显著减低,GWW显著升高（均P<0.01）,冠心病有节段性室壁运动异常组GLS、GWW显著升高（P<0.01）,冠心病无节段性室壁运动异常组GWI、GCW、GME均显著减低（P<0.01）,GLS显著减低、GWW显著升高（P<0.01）。ROC曲线显示GWI、GCW、GWW、GME的曲线下面积分别为0.36、0.40、0.75、0.27;GWW截断值为70.5%,预测冠心病的灵敏度、特异度分别为67%、97%,约登指数0.64。 结论 LVPSL可量化分析冠心病患者心肌做功,其中GWW是反映冠心病患者心肌做功和心室功能改变的较敏感指标。     

Assessment of regional myocardial systolic function in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy using harmonic myocardial strain imaging

OBJECTIVES: Regional myocardial systolic function in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy was assessed using the newly developed myocardial strain imaging. METHODS: This study included 17 patients with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH group) and 22 normal subjects (N group). The transmural location of the strain peak value (StPP), and the strain peak value (StPV) in the end-systolic phase were measured at the posterior wall by myocardial strain imaging. Left ventricular mass index was simultaneously measured in both groups. RESULTS: StPV was significantly lower in the LVH group than the N group (1.00 +/- 0.36 vs 1.38 +/- 0.42, p < 0.01) and StPP was significantly moved to the epicardium side compared with the N group (31 +/- 10% vs 11 +/- 5%, p < 0.0001). StPV decreased and StPP increased with greater left ventricular mass index (r = -0.61, p < 0.0001; r = 0.72, p < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial systolic impairment in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy may occur from the endocardium side, and the impairment may progress with increased left ventricular hypertrophy.     

Association between electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy with strain pattern and left ventricular structure and function

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with strain pattern has been documented as a marker for LVH. Its presence on the ECG of hypertensive patients is associated with poor prognosis. The study was carried out to assess the association of the electrocardiographic strain with left ventricular mass (LVM) and function in hypertensive Nigerians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ECG as well as echocardiograms were performed in 64 hypertensive patients with ECG-LVH and strain pattern, 65 patients with ECG-LVH by Sokolow-Lyon (SL) voltage criteria and 62 normal controls. RESULTS: The study showed that electrocardiographic left ventricular (LV) strain pattern is associated with dilated left atrium, larger LV internal dimensions and greater absolute and indexed LVM in hypertensive Nigerians compared with ECG-LVH by SL voltage criteria alone or normal controls. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the fact that the ECG strain pattern is associated with increased LVM and an increased risk of developing abnormal LV geometry.     

阿米洛利并开搏通对高血压性心脏病舒张功能的影响

目的:观察阿米洛利与开搏通联合应用对于高血压性心脏病(高心病)左室舒张功能不全的治疗价值。方法:42例高心病舒张功能不全病人作为观察组给予阿米洛利与开搏通口服;30例作为对照组口服钙拮抗剂,分别于治疗前、治疗1年后记录血压,舒张早、晚期血流峰值速度和等容舒张时间。结果:观察组的左室舒张功能较对照组改善明显(P<0.05～<0.001),血压控制良好。结论:阿米洛利与开搏通并用能有效改善高心病患者的左室舒张功能。     

From left ventricular hypertrophy to congestive heart failure: management of hypertensive heart disease

Other than age, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most potent predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the hypertensive population, and is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, sudden death, heart failure and stroke. Although directly related to systolic blood pressure, other factors including age, sex, race, body mass index and stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems play an important role in the pathogenesis of LVH. LVH involves changes in myocardial tissue architecture consisting of perivascular and myocardial fibrosis and medial thickening of intramyocardial coronary arteries, in addition to myocyte hypertrophy. The physiologic alterations which occur as a result of these anatomical changes include disturbances of myocardial blood flow, the development of an arrhythmogenic myocardial substrate and diastolic dysfunction. The latter is directly related to the degree of myocardial fibrosis and is the hemodynamic hallmark of hypertensive heart disease. When diastolic dysfunction is present, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increases out-of-proportion to volume and may be elevated at rest or with exertion leading to clinical heart failure. At least one third of heart failure patients in the United States can be considered to have heart failure related to diastolic dysfunction. Compared to heart failure patients with systolic dysfunction, diastolic heart failure patients are more likely to be older, female, and to be hypertensive at the time of presentation. Although it has been assumed that LVH may lead to systolic dysfunction, evidence is lacking that LVH resulting from hypertension is a major risk factor for systolic heart failure independent of coronary artery disease. Treatment of hypertension greatly attenuates the development of LVH and significantly decreases the incidence of heart failure. In patients with established LVH, regression is both possible and desirable and results in a significant reduction in adverse clinical endpoints.     

Impact of coronary artery disease on left ventricular systolic function and geometry in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (the LIFE study)

Hypertensive patients with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy have a higher incidence of cardiovascular events than those without it. We hypothesized that a close relation exists between clinical evidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and alterations in LV structure and function that contribute to their higher risk. Echocardiograms were recorded in 963 hypertensive patients (mean age 66 +/- 7 years, 41% women) with electrocardiographic LV hypertrophy, and divided into 149 with and 814 without clinical (prior myocardial infarction or angina pectoris) or electrocardiographic (Minnesota codes 1.1, 1.2) evidence of CAD. Patients with CAD had larger LV internal dimensions (5.5 +/- 0.6 vs 5.2 +/- 0.5 cm), increased LV mass (136 +/- 31 vs 122 +/- 24 g/m(2), and 62.4 +/- 19.4 vs 55.5 +/- 12.1 g/m(2.7)), lower ejection fraction (58 +/- 10% vs 62 +/- 8%), higher circumferential end-systolic wall stress (cESS) (198 +/- 59 vs 181 +/- 47 kdynes/cm(2), all p <0.001), and higher total peripheral resistances (2,088 +/- 628 vs 1,963 +/- 553 dynes x s x m(2)/cm(3), p = 0.02). Although eccentric LV hypertrophy predominated, the CAD group had a greater prevalence of this geometric pattern than the non-CAD group (56% vs 47%, p <0.02). An index of myocardial oxygen demand per beat--the LV mass x cESS x ejection time--was 20% higher in patients with CAD. In conclusion, clinical evidence of CAD in hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic evidence of LV hypertrophy identifies subjects with structural and functional abnormalities at high risk for cardiovascular events. LV mass. cESS. ejection time, a noninvasive index that parallels myocardial oxygen demand per beat, is especially high in hypertensive patients with CAD.     

Candesartan cilexetil improves left ventricular function, left ventricular hypertrophy, and endothelial function in patients with hypertensive heart disease.

Patients with hypertension often develop left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and deterioration of the cardiac and endothelial functions. Recent clinical trials have shown the added benefits of angiotensin II receptor blockers in hypertensive patients. Twenty-nine patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) underwent echocardiography, radionuclide ventriculography and the measurement of endothelial function before and after administration of candesartan (8 mg/day). The subjects were divided into poorly controlled blood pressure (BP) (group P, n=6) and well controlled BP (group C, n=23). Endothelial function was evaluated from flow-dependent dilation, which was calculated as the percent change of the radial artery diameter during reactive hyperemia after upper arm occlusion, measured with a high-resolution ultrasound system. In group C, LV diastolic function and endothelial function were significantly (p<0.05) improved at 3 months after administration, LV systolic function and hypertrophy were significantly (p<0.05) improved after 6 months and these effects were maintained at 12 months. Even in group P, LV function, LV hypertrophy, endothelial function and brain natriuretic peptide were significantly (p<0.05) improved at 6 months after administration. In patients with HHD, candesartan improves LV systolic and diastolic function, LV hypertrophy and endothelial function within 6 months of administration, regardless of the control of BP.     

左室压力-应变环结合四维应变技术评价冠心病患者 左心功能的初步研究

【摘要】 目的 应用左室压力-应变环（LV PSL）结合四维应变技术（4D-SI）评估冠心病患者左心功能改变及心肌做功变化,探讨各参数诊断冠心病的价值。 方法 疑诊冠心病患者57例,根据冠脉造影结果分为两组：冠心病组（至少一支冠脉狭窄≥50%）27例;对照组（冠脉无狭窄或狭窄＜50%）30例。分别采集受试者心尖四腔、两腔、左室长轴切面实时三维图像,应用Echo PAC工作站应用心肌做功分析模式,得出左室-压力应变环,获取长轴整体做功指数（GWI）、整体有效功（GCW）、整体无效功（GWW）、整体做功效率（GME）;应用左室四维自动分析功能(4D Auto LVQ),获取左心室整体的长轴应变(4D-GLPS)、环向应变(4D-GCPS)、面积应变(4D-GAPS)及径向应变(4D-GRPS)。结果 与对照组比较,冠心病组GLS、GWI、GCW、GME、4D-GLPS、4D-GCPS、4D-GAPS、4D-GRPS减低,GWW升高,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;各参数ROC曲线显示4D-GLPS、4D-GAPS、GWW诊断冠心病患者左心室心肌功能受损的曲线下面积相对较高,分别为0.881、0.844、0.756。截断值分别为-13.5%、-22.5%、72%,灵敏度分别为81%、81%、64%,特异度分别为83%、73%、96%;两种技术结合的ROC曲线显示4D-SI技术各参数联合左室压力-应变环技术的GWW值得出的AUC相对较大（0.943）,灵敏度、特异度和约登指数分别为89%、90%、0.79。结论4D-GLPS、4D-GAPS和GWW是评价冠心病患者左心功能改变更为可靠的指标。将LV PSL与4D-SI两种技术结合,可从多个角度更好的评价冠心病患者左心功能的改变情况,为临床医生在评估缺血患者时提供更多的信息。     

冠心病的左室形态与功能多变量分析

作者应用二维超声多普勒技术，以经胸壁与经食管两种检测方法，对心肌梗塞、心肌缺血及正常人３组共１００例进行左心室形态构型与机能的研究。检测１６项参数，进行组间对比，对左室每搏量进行多元回归分析，并且应用敏感参数进行判别分析。结果发现:冠心病尤其是心肌梗塞主要的左室形态改变是中部环径增大，使左室由锥体形向球体形转化；主要的功能改变是射血分数降低及泵血时左室工作方式的改变:由正常时的中部环向收缩及长径轴向收缩为主变为底部环向收缩为主。多元回归分析表明乳头肌水平环径对于左室每搏量及容积均为重要参数；在两个临界水平建立的判别函数有较大的实用价值。     

Impact of type 2 diabetes on left ventricular geometry and diastolic function in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and diastolic dysfunction are very common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of type 2 diabetes on LV geometry and diastolic function in hypertensive patients with CKD. We enrolled 288 Caucasian subjects with hypertension and CKD; of them, 112 had diabetes. Patients with cardiovascular (CV) diseases, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) >60?ml?min(-1) per 1.73?m(2), dialysis treatment and other major non-CV diseases were excluded. All patients underwent routine biochemical analyses and echocardiographic examination with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Patients with diabetes had significantly higher LV wall thicknesses (P=0.0001), relative wall thickness (RWT) (P=0.0001) and left atrium volume index (P=0.03), when compared with patients without diabetes. Further, diabetic patients had very high prevalence of concentric LVH. Em, evaluated by TDI, was significantly lower in patients with diabetes (P=0.005). However, the difference lost statistical significance after correction by analysis of covariance for RWT. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the variables independently associated with Em were: age (β 0.364; P=0.0001), GFR (beta 0.101; P=0.019), and the presence of diabetes (β 0.166; P=0.002). Our study showed that in hypertensive patients with CKD the presence of diabetes is associated with increased LV-wall thicknesses and concentric geometry; further, diabetes together with renal function (GFR) is associated with worse diastolic function, independently of potential confounders, such as age, gender, body mass index and blood pressure.     

Association between left ventricular perfusion defects and myocardial deformation indexes in heart transplantation recipients

The aim of the study was to analyze possible correlations between strain echocardiography (STE) and PET myocardial perfusion in a population of heart transplantation (HTx) recipients showing preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. By STE, LV global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) was lower in HTx. PET showed no transient or chronic ischemia in 83 of 115 HTx (73%). Fixed perfusion defects were observed in 17% of HTx and reversible ischemia in 10%. Significant coronary stenosis was observed only in 10 cases. GLS was independently associated with age at HTx and fixed perfusion defects (HR 0.41; P<.001). Such relationships underline STE ability to early identify HTx pts with subclinical myocardial dysfunction during long‐term follow‐up.     

地尔硫卓对高血压性心脏病左室舒张功能及血脑钠素的影响

目的:观察高血压性心脏病(高心病)左室舒张功能不全(LVDD)患者地硫尔卓(合贝爽)治疗前、后血清脑钠素(BNP)的变化,及BNP与LVDD的关系。方法:合并LVDD的原发性高血压病人60例,每日给予合贝爽90～180mg口服,监测血压的同时,分别于用药前,和服药后1年,测量二尖瓣舒张早期血流峰值(E)速度、舒张晚期血流峰值(A)速度、及等容舒张时间(A2-O)值、并测定BNP水平,比较治疗前后E、A、A2-O值和BNP的变化。结果:治疗一年后患者的(1)收缩压及舒张压较治疗前明显下降(P<0.05);(2)E、A峰及A2-O值改善明显(P<0.05);(3)血清BNP水平明显下降(P<0.05);(4)血清BNP与E/A呈显著负相关(r=-0.694,P<0.05)。结论:(1)地硫尔卓能有效控制血压,改善高心病患者的左室舒张功能;(2)血清BNP水平能反映LVDD水平。