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Abstract
Systemic hypertension is a common cause of congestive heart failure. However, left
ventricular (LV) systolic function remains normal for many years in patients with
mild or moderate hypertension. In this study, high-quality M-mode echocardiograms
were recorded in 7 patients with borderline hypertension, 14 patients with mild hypertension
and 15 normal persons. Measures of systolic and diastolic LV function and the degree
of LV hypertrophy were studied with the assistance of a tablet digitizer and dedicated
microcomputer. Average blood pressure was 125 ± 10/77 ± 7 mm Hg in normal subjects,
146 ± 18/92 ± 2 mm Hg in patients with borderline hypertension and 150 ± 11/102 ±
4 in patients with mild hypertension. Indexes of systolic LV function were similar
in all 3 groups. The peak rate of early relaxation of the LV posterior wall was significantly
decreased in the group of patients with mild hypertension (4.7 vs 6.6 sec−1, p < 0.01). The mitral valve closure rate was 150 ± 32 mm/s in normal subjects, 119
± 35 mm/s in patients with borderline hypertension and 106 ± 26 mm/s (p < 0.001) in
patients with mild hypertension. Mild LV hypertrophy was present in 6 of 7 patients
with borderline and 13 of 14 patients with mild hypertension. The degree of hypertrophy
and the level of blood pressure correlated poorly. It is concluded that subtle abnormalities
of diastolic LV function may be present in patients with mild hypertension at a time
when LV systolic function in normal and that the degree of hypertrophy and intermittent
measurements of blood pressure at rest correlated, poorly, suggesting that additional
factors may play a role.
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
May 7,
1985
Received in revised form:
May 6,
1985
Received:
February 25,
1985
Identification
Copyright
© 1985 Published by Elsevier Inc.
