ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diastolic function after regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, in mild to moderate hypertension treated with angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitor and, if necessary, with a diuretic. METHODS: Ninety-eight hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and abnormal left ventricle diastolic function indexes received captopril (Capotena) 50 to 200 mg/day plus chlortalidone during 12 months to reach blood pressure control, defined as a diastolic blood pressure < or =90 and systolic blood pressure < or =140 mm Hg. Left ventricular (LV) mass index was calculated by M mode and two-dimensional echocardiography, and left ventricular diastolic function was assessed by transmitral pulsed Doppler ultrasound every 3 months. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were women and 35 were men, mean age was 53.4 +/- 8.4 years (range 34-70). Thirty-six patients had mild (36.7%) and 62 (63.3%) moderate hypertension. Treatment reduced significantly both systolic pressure from 165 +/- 13 to 137 +/- 12.9 mm Hg (p<0.05) and diastolic pressure from 99 +/- 8.6 to 86 +/- 6.37 mm Hg (p<0.05). LV mass index decreased from 155.4 +/- 32.9 to 121.7 +/- 29.14 g/m2 (p<0.05). Late diastolic filling velocity (A wave) and the ratio of E/A waves improved (p<0.05), but early diastolic filling velocity (E wave) and isovolumetric relaxation time did not change with treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Some indexes of diastolic function improved after regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and good blood pressure control with captopril and chlortalidone.