The relationship between blood pressure variability, obesity and left atrial phasic function in hypertensive population.

We sought to investigate the relationship between blood pressure (BP) variability and left atrial (LA) phasic function assessed by volumetric and speckle tracking method in normal-weight, overweight and obese hypertensive patients. This cross-sectional study included 164 untreated hypertensive subjects who underwent a 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring and complete two-dimensional echocardiographic examination (2DE). All the patients were separated into three groups according to their body mass index (BMI): normal-weight patients (BMI < 25 kg/m(2)), overweight patients (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m(2)), and obese patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). Daytime, nighttime and 24 h BP variability indices were higher in obese hypertensive subjects than in lean patients. Maximum and minimum LA volumes and volume indexes gradually and significantly increased, whereas pre-A LAV decreased, from normal-weight to obese subjects. Total and passive LA emptying fractions, representing LA reservoir and conduit function, gradually reduced from lean to obese individuals. Active LA EF, the parameter of LA booster pump function, increased in the same direction. Similar results were obtained by 2DE strain analysis. BP variability parameters were associated with structural, functional and mechanical parameters of LA remodeling in the whole study population. The parameters of LA reservoir function were negatively related with BP variability indices, whereas the parameters of LA pump function were positively related with BP variability indices. Obesity significantly impacts BP variability and LA phasic function in untreated hypertensive subjects. BP variability is associated with LA remodeling independent of BP, left ventricular systolic and diastolic function.

Relationship between right ventricular remodeling and heart rate variability in arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed at evaluating right ventricular remodeling (structure, function, and mechanics) and heart rate variability (HRV), as well as their interaction, in untreated hypertensive patients. METHOD: This cross-sectional study involved 55 untreated hypertensive patients and 40 patients with no risk factors, similar by sex and age. All the patients underwent a 24-h Holter monitoring and comprehensive two-dimensional and three-dimensional echocardiography assessment (2DE and 3DE). RESULTS: All time and frequency domain HRV variables were reduced in the hypertensive patients. Right ventricular systolic and diastolic function, as well as right ventricular longitudinal strain, was significantly impaired in the hypertensive patients. Parameters that indicate comprehensive right ventricular remodeling (right ventricular wall thickness, tricuspid E/e' ratio, 2DE right ventricular longitudinal strain, and 3D right ventricular ejection fraction) correlated with the parameters of cardiac sympathovagal balance (SD of all normal RR intervals, root mean square of the difference between the coupling intervals of adjacent RR intervals, 24-h low-frequency domain, 24-h high-frequency domain, and 24-h total power). Of note, right ventricular diastolic function, right ventricular longitudinal function, and 3DE right ventricular ejection fraction were associated with cardiac autonomic nervous function, independently of age, BMI, blood pressure, and left ventricular hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Right ventricular structure, systolic and diastolic function, as well as right ventricular longitudinal deformation, are significantly impaired in untreated hypertensive patients. HRV variables are also decreased in hypertensive population. 2DE and 3DE parameters resembling right ventricular remodeling are independently associated with cardiac autonomic nervous system markers in the whole study population.

Left Ventricular Mechanics in Untreated Normotensive Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Two- and Three-dimensional Speckle Tracking Study.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to investigate left ventricular (LV) mechanics estimated by two- (2DE) and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) strains in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 50 untreated normotensive DM subjects and 50 healthy controls similar by sex and age. All the subjects underwent adequate laboratory analyses and complete 2DE and 3DE examination. RESULTS: Left ventricular mechanics, assessed by 2DE, was impaired in all three directions. Global longitudinal 3DE strain was significantly decreased in the DM group in comparison with the controls (-17.8 ± 2.5 vs. -19.1 ± 2.7%, P = 0.014). Similar results were found for 3DE global circumferential strain (-18.9 ± 2.9 vs. -20.4 ± 3.2%, P = 0.01), 3DE global radial strain (40.3 ± 6.9 vs. 43.1 ± 7.3%, P = 0.035), and 3DE global area strain (-29.2 ± 3.7 vs. -31 ± 4%, P = 0.024). LV torsion was similar between the DM patients and the controls (2.1 ± 0.6 vs. 1.9 ± 0.5 °/cm, P = 0.073); whereas LV untwisting rate was significantly increased in the DM subjects (-114 ± 26 vs. -96 ±23 °/s, P < 0.001). A multivariate analysis showed that 3DE global longitudinal and area myocardial functions were associated with HbA1c independently of 3DE LV mass index. CONCLUSION: Left ventricular deformation obtained by 3DE is significantly impaired in the type 2 DM patients. HbA1c is independently associated with LV mechanics that implies that early anti-diabetic therapy and normalization of the fasting glucose level and HbA1c could impede further cardiac damage.

Effects of the metabolic syndrome on right heart mechanics and function.

BACKGROUND: We sought to investigate right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) deformation obtained using 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and 2-dimensional (2DE) strain in subjects with the metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 108 untreated subjects with the MS and 75 control subjects similar according to sex and age. The MS was defined by the presence ≥ 3 American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria. All the subjects underwent adequate laboratory analyses and complete 2DE and 3DE examination. RESULTS: 2DE global longitudinal strain of the RV was significantly decreased in the MS group compared with the control subjects (-24 ± 5 vs -27 ± 5%; P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for the RA longitudinal strain (40 ± 5 vs 44 ± 7%; P < 0.001). Systolic and early diastolic RV and RA strain rates were decreased, whereas late diastolic strain rates were increased among the MS participants compared with the control subjects. 3DE RV ejection fraction was significantly decreased in the MS subjects (55 ± 4 vs 58 ± 4%; P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis of MS criteria showed that systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting glucose were independently associated with RV and/or RA myocardial function and deformation. CONCLUSIONS: RV mechanics and RA mechanics, assessed using 3DE and 2DE strain, were significantly deteriorated in the MS subjects. Among all MS risk factors, systolic blood pressure, abdominal circumference, and fasting glucose were the most responsible for the right heart remodelling.

Circadian blood pressure pattern and right ventricular and right atrial mechanics: A two- and three-dimensional echocardiographic study.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate right ventricular (RV) and right atrial (RA) function and mechanics in untreated hypertensive patients with different blood pressure (BP) patterns by using two-dimensional (2DE) speckle tracking analyses and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE). This cross-sectional study included 174 recently diagnosed hypertensive patients. All patients underwent a 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring and complete 2DE and 3DE examination, including 2DE speckle tracking analysis. Our results showed that 2DE RV global longitudinal strain was significantly lower in the non-dippers. Similar results were obtained for 2DE RV systolic and early diastolic strain rate. The RA longitudinal strain, as well as RA systolic and early diastolic strain rate, was decreased in non-dippers. Our results revealed that 3DE RV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were increased, whereas 3DE RV ejection fraction was reduced in non-dipper hypertensive patients. Similar results were obtained for RA volumes and RA ejection fraction estimated by 2DE. Independent predictors of 3DE RV ejection fraction, 2DE RV and RA global longitudinal strain were left ventricular mass index and RV wall thickness. An additional independent predictor of the RV longitudinal strain was 3DE RV ejection fraction, and for RA longitudinal strain, an additional independent predictor was tricuspid E/é ratio. Two-DE speckle tracking evaluation and 3DE examination revealed that the RV and RA function and mechanics were more deteriorated in the non-dipper patients than in dipper untreated hypertensive patients.