Assessment of Left Ventricular Function and Structure in Patients with Hypertension by Doppler Echocardiography

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the clinical application of Doppler echocardiography in assessing the left ventricular function and structure between normal subjects and patients with various stages of hypertension. Methods We measured the parameters of the left ventricular function and the structure in 357 patients with various stages of hypertension and 26 normal volunteers by Doppler echocardiography, respectively. The data were determined with the analysis of variance F statistics. Results Peak flow velocity of early diastole (EPFV) and the parameters of the left ventricular systolic function in patients with hypertension were similar to normal subjects. However, peak flow velocity of atrial contraction (APFV) was higher than that in normal subjects. IVS and PW were more hypertrophy in patients with hypertension, and the diameter of LA was increased in severe hypertension. Conclusion With increasing hypertension, the thickness of PW was increased and was the best index in discriminating the degree of hypertension. APFV was one of index in discriminating between normal subjects and patients with hypertension. [