Characteristics of Left Heart Remodeling and Function in Essential Hypertensive Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most prevalent arrthythmias. Hypertension independently accounts for more AF cases than any other risk factors. Therefore,prevention of risk factors in patients with essential hypertensives(EH) is important for early prevention and diagnosis of AF. However,only a few data are available regarding left ventricle remodeling in essential hypertensive patients with atrial fibrillation(EH+AF). Objective To study the characteristics of left heart remodeling and function and its clinical significance in EH+AF,and predict some risk factors of AF. Methods All 561 patients were recruited which included EH+AF(n=224),EH alone(n=171),AF alone(n=166) with normal subjects as control(n=157). Interventricula septal thickness at end-diastole(IVSTd),posterior left ventricular wall thickness at end-diastole(LVPWTd),left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVESD),left atrial dimension (LAD),left ventricular ejection fraction stroke volume(LVEF),stroke volume(SV)cardiac output(CO)were measured with echocardiography. Left ventricular mass(LVM),left ventricular mass index(LVMI)and relative wall thickness(RWT)were calculated. Results LVM,LVMI,IVSTd,LVPWTd,LVESD,LVEDD,LAD,RWT in the EH+AF group were significantly greater than those in the AF alone or EH alone patients(P0.05),and complicated with significantly lower LVER,FS(P0.05). Conclusion Left ventricular function and structure were altered in the EH or AF patient,while the most severe change was found in EH co-existed with AF.