Diastolic dysfunction, hypertrophy and hypertension ventricular-arterial uncoupling treatment.

The aim of the study was to evaluate hypertension treatment effects on mechanical efficiency of the cardiovascular system and cardiac reverse remodeling in hypertensive patients. This is an observational prospective study, consecutive hypertension patients. Left ventricle mass index measured by Devereux 2D method and diastolic function following the Guidelines from the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. Left ventricular end systolic elastance (Ees) was measured by Guarracino calculator, the effective arterial elastance (Ea) and ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) measured by Sunagawa et al. single beat method adapted by Chen et al. in human ventricles. The sample was analyzed in quartiles (Q) according to VAC. Follow-up 2 years. In total, 288 patients, mean age 56.3 ± 12.5 years and 168 patients (58.3%) males. VAC increased from 0.303 ± 0.07 to 0.54 ± 0.25 (p < 0.005) in Q1 mainly due to a reduction in Ees from 5.25 ± 2.3 to 3.68 ± 0.25 mmHg/ml (p < 0.01), while Ea increased from 1.5 ± 0.53 to 1.64 ± 0.56 mmHg/ml (p = NS). The frequency of LVH was reduced from 31.9 to 10.8% in Q1 (p < 0.025). The frequency of normal diastolic function increased from 75 to 94.6% (p < 0.01) in Q1, from 78.7 to 100% in Q2 (p < 0.005), from 87.1 to 100% (p < 0.025) in Q3 and from 88.7 to 100% (0,025) in Q4. Patients with the worst ventricular-arterial uncoupling were the most benefited from hypertension treatment. Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy was observed only in the group of patients with the worst ventricular-arterial uncoupling, while improvement in diastolic function was demonstrated in all quartiles of patients.

Ventricular-Arterial Uncoupling and Hypertension Mediated Diastolic Dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: The increase in the pulsatile component of left ventricle afterload is suspected to cause a mismatch between the left ventricle (LV) and the vascular tree. AIM: To demonstrate that ventricular-arterial uncoupling is frequently present in the development of LV hypertrophy (H) and diastolic dysfunction (DD) in hypertension (HBP). METHODS: Observational study, HBP patients with ejection fraction > 54%. Conventional 2D echocardiography and tissue Doppler performed following imaging guidelines. LV end systolic elastance (Ees), the effective arterial elastance (Ea), and ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) measured by Chen single beat method. RESULTS: 288 patients, mean age 56.3 ± 12.5 years and 168 patients (58.3%) males. Mean LV mass index was 87.2 ± 20.4 grs/m2 and frequency of LVH 20.1% (58 patients). The mean VAC was 0.54 ± 9.23. LV Stroke volume, stroke work and systolic stress were 46.2 ± 10.3 cc/m2, 91.4 ± 22.2 g-min/m2, and 57 ± 14.6 dynes/cm2 in quartile 1, and 33.5 ± 6.6 cc/m2, 65.5 ± 15.2 g-min/m2, and 77.8 ± 17.1 dynes/cm2, in quartile 4, respectively (p < 0.001). Peripheral resistance index was 3349 ± 1072 and 4410 ± 1143 dynes*s/cm-5/m2 quartiles 1 vs. 4 (p < 0.005). The frequency of LVH was 31.9% in quartile 1 and 11.3% in quartile 4 (p < 0.005) and LVH or DD was 37.5% and 12.7%, respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Stroke volume and stroke work were significantly increased while systolic stress and peripheral resistance index were significantly reduced in patients with worst VAC. Ventricular-arterial uncoupling is mostly caused by an increase in Ees rather than by an elevation of Ea. LVH or DD are more frequent in the worst cases of ventricular-arterial uncoupling.

Medium to Long Term Follow-Up of Treated Hypertensive Mediated Heart Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertensive mediated heart disease is the consequence of anatomical and functional changes in cardiovascular system. The benefits on left ventricular (LV) diastolic impairment and remodeling of hypertension treatment are well established. AIM: To evaluate LV structure, systolic and diastolic function of treated hypertensive patients on a medium to long term follow-up. METHODS: Prospectively observational cohort study. Hypertensive patients over 18 years, ultrasound evaluation of LV structure and diastolic and systolic function, follow-up at least once a year. Diastolic function assessed following recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. RESULTS: 285 patients, mean follow up of 1731 ± 952 days. Sample mean age 56.3 ± 12.5 years, 166 patients (58.3%) were males. Baseline blood pressure 147.8 ± 19/86.8 ± 11 mm Hg, 5 years blood pressure 134.4 ± 15.7/79 ± 9 mm Hg (p < 0.005 SBP and p < 0.01 DBP). Baseline fixed dose combinations 115 patients (40.4%), follow-up 53.1% (p < 0.05). LV remodeling was detected in 88 patients (30.9%) vs. 30.1% at 5 years (p = NS). The frequency of an E/e' ratio > 14 was reduced from 38 patients (13.3%) to 3.6% (p < 0.001), e' septal velocity < 7 cm/sec or e' lateral velocity < 10 cm/sec was reduced from 38.6% (110 patients) to 19.3% (p < 0.001). Baseline normal diastolic function was detected in 85.6% (244 patients) and 94% at the end of the follow-up (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In this observational cohort followed by a mean of 5 years, the main benefit of hypertension treatment was the prevention or regression of diastolic dysfunction.

Functional Organ Damage in Cardiovascular Low Risk Patients with High Central Aortic Pressure.

BACKGROUND: The loss of the viscoelastic properties of central arteries independently of blood pressure loads could stimulate the development of left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction, renal failure, or cerebral vascular injury. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to determine if an elevated systolic aortic pressure is a marker of more frequent target organ damage (TOD) in hypertensive low cardiovascular risk (CVR) patients. METHODS: Hypertensive non treated consecutive patients (p) assisted at first visit in a specialized center with a CVR according to WHO Americas B area score less than 10 % were included. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and tissue Doppler diastolic and systolic function were measured as Lang et al. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 18:1440-1463, 2005) and Nagueh et al. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 22:107-133, 2009). Cardiac TOD was considered according to 2013 European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by MDRD formula, a value <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) was considered TOD. Systolic aortic pressured (CAoP) was measured by radial tonometry and classified according to criteria proposed by Herbert et al. (Eur Heart J 35:3100-3132, 2014). Continue variables are reported as means with standard deviation and discrete variables as absolute values and percentages. Statistical analysis was performed with Students t test, significant differences were considered with a p value < 0.05 RESULTS: 155 p were included; 23 p (14.8 %) had elevated CAoP while 132 p (85.2 %) had normal CAoP. Sample mean age was 54.1 + 12.9 years; 85 p (54.8 %) were males. Dyslipidemia was detected in 44 p (28.4 %), and 18 p (11.6 %) were smokers. Mean blood pressure was 143.7 + 17.1 mmHg/86.4 + 12.3 mmHg in p with normal (n) CAoP and 140.3 + 12 mmHg/81.9 + 6.8 mmHg in p with CAoP elevated e (p = NS). Mean CAoP in p with normal values was 117.4 + 10.9 mmHg and 116.9 + 10.7 in p with elevated values (p = NS). The average s wave was 7.42 + 1 cm/sec in n CAoP p vs 6.6 + 1 cm/sec in e CAoP p (p < 0.05) while and E/e' ratio >13 was detected in 14.4 % n CAoP p vs 8.7 % e CAoP p (p = NS). Mean GFR was 105.4 + 40.5 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in n CAoP p vs 103.9 + 45.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2) in e CAoP p (p = NS) and GFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) was present in 4.5 % n CAoP p vs 26.1 % e CAoP p (p < 0.0125). CONCLUSIONS: At the same level of CVR according to WHO Americas B score patients with elevated CAoP had lower longitudinal left ventricular systolic function and renal function was more deteriorated.

Association of systolic dysfunction with left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: the presence of systolic dysfunction has not been well recognized in hypertensive patients (p). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to demonstrate that hypertensive p with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) have systolic dysfunction, and that this functional alteration increases when it is associated to diastolic dysfunction (DD). METHODS: descriptivecross-sectional studywith aprospectivelycollected sample according to specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Left ventricular function was evaluated with conventional echocardiography, mitral valvular orifice Doppler and tissue Doppler following international guidelines. The p were divided in four groups by the presence or absence of LVH and DD. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: students t tests and ANOVA test, statistical significance <0,05. RESULTS: 292 p were included, 130 p (51 %) LVH- DD-; 36 p (5,9 %) LVH- DD+; 87 p (37,6 %) LVH+ DD-; and 39 p (5,5 %) LVH+ DD+. Patients with diastolic dysfunction were older and more frequently of female sex, had greater systolic blood pressure and central aortic systolic blood pressure. The shortening rate of longitudinal myocardial fibers measured by tissue Doppler (s wave) were 6,3 +1,1 cm/sec in LVH+ DD+ p, 7,2+1,3 cm/sec in LVH+ DD- p, 6,8+1,2 cm/sec in LVH- DD+ p, and 7,8+0,6 cm/seg in LVH- DD- p (<0,005). CONCLUSIONS: hypertensives p had systolic dysfunction when LVH is present and it is greater when it is associated to DD.

ntroducción: La presencia de disfunción sistólica no ha sido reconocida en pacientes (p) hipertensos. Objetivos: El objetivo del presente estudio es demostrar que los p hipertensos con hipertrofia ventricular izquierda (HVI) presentan disfunción sistólica, y que ella se incrementa cuando se asocia a disfunción diastólica (DD). Material y métodos: estudio observacional de corte transversal con la muestra recolectada en forma prospectiva de acuerdo a criterios de inclusión y exclusión preestablecidos. La función ventricular izquierda fue evaluada por ecocardiografía convencional, Doppler del orificio valvular mitral y Doppler tisular siguiendo las normativas internacionales. Los p fueron divididos en cuatro grupos de acuerdo a la presencia o ausencia de HVI y DD. Análisis estadístico: test t de students y test de ANOVA, significación estadística <0,05. Resultados: se incluyeron 292 p, 130 p (51 %) HVI- DD-; 36 p (5,9 %) HVI- DD+; 87 p (37,6 %) HVI+ DD-; y 39 p (5,5 %) HVI+ DD+. Los p con DD fueron de mayor edad, más frecuentemente mujeres, y su PA sistólica y presión aórtica central estaban más elevados. La velocidad de acortamiento longitudinal de las fibras miocárdicas, medida como onda s con Doppler tisular fue 6,3 +1,1 cm/seg en p HVI+ DD+, 7,2+1,3 cm/seg en p HVI+ DD-, 6,8+1,2 cm/seg en p HVI- DD+, y 7,8+0,6 cm/seg en p HVI- DD- (<0,005). Conclusiones: los p hipertensos presentan disfunción sistólica cuando la HVI está presente y es mayor cuando se asocia a DD.