An Echocardiographic Evaluation Of Left Ventricular Systolic Functions In Hypertensive Patients*

Abstract

Introduction:
Hypertensive heart disease is an important and common cause of morbidity and mortality’. As the systemic arterial pressure goes up, the cardiac workload is increased2. To overcome this after load, certain changes take place in the heart, predominantly in the left ventricle. Initially, it may involve augmented venous return, i.e., pit-load³ thus increasing ventricular ejection through the Frank-Starling mechanism. Enhanced ventricular contractility may also be achieved through a state of increased adrenergic input to the rnyocardiurn4.

Patients and Methods:
The study consisted of 32 consecutive, hypertensive, patients who attended the medical outpatient department of Sheikh Zayed Hospital,Lahore, during a period of one month. Electrocardiogram (E.C.G.) and X-ray chest were done by trained technicians. Echocardiographic examination of each patient was done by an experienced cardiologist who knew nothing about the severity or duration of hypertension or the patient’s medication.

Results:
A total of 32 consecutive hypertensive pat ients were evaluated. Two of these were excluded because of inadequate echocardiograms. Of the rest, 15 were males and 15 females. Ages of the patients ranged from 14 years to 75 years, average being 46.6 years. Duration of known hypertension ranged from recently diagnosed to 20 years. Eight patients had blood pressure controlled with medic ation at the time of presentation while 22 were uncontrolled. Patients were divided into four groups according to the left ventricular mass/rn2 calcul ated by echocardiography.