Assessment of LV Geometric Remodeling and Long-axis Function in Elderly Patients with Hypertension Using QTVI

Objective To explore the alteration of left ventricular long-axis function during left ventricular geometric remodeling in elderly patients with essential hypertension (EH) using quantitative tissue velocity imaging and to investigate its clinical significance. Methods Totally 82 elderly patients with EH and 28 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Based on Ganau, elderly patients with EH were divided into 4 groups: normal geometry(22 cases), concentric remodeling(28 cases), concentric hypertrophy(19 cases) and eccentric hypertrophy(13 cases). Systolic peak velocity (Vs) was measured at different segments in left ventricular walls using quantitative tissue velocity imaging. Results Vs in each hypertensive groups were significantly lower than in control groups(P 0.05 or 0.01).The differences between groups were statistically significant and there was a significantly step-down change among normal geometry,concentric remodeling,concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy groups in Vs(P0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion Quantitative tissue velocity imaging can assess left ventricular long-axis function correctly in elderly patients with EH and its alteration during left ventricular geometric remodeling. Quantitative tissue velocity imaging may help to evaluate prognosis of elderly patients with EH.