Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction in Essential Hypertension

Objective To investigate the relationship between left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertension. Methods We studied 34 patients with hypertension and 15 healthy subjects using echocardiography. The diameter of left main coronary artery was detected before and after cold pressure test (DICPT)or nitroglycerin (DING) using echocardiography with probe located on the beginning of left main coronary artery. Results Compared with the normal control (14.98%±1.54%), the coronary artery dilatation induced by cold pressure test was lower both in patients without left hypertrophy(9.18%±1.12%, n=5)and with left hypertrophy (4.27%±2.01%, n=19) with remarkable difference between them(P0.01). The left ventricular mass index (LVMI)was higher in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH)(159.6±29.6)g/m 2 than that without left ventricular hypertrophy(98.8±12.8)g/m 2 and that in the normal(113.1±13.1)g/m 2(P0.001). No significant difference in blood pressure between the two hypertensive groups[(155.4±4.8/95.5±6.5 vs 154.4±4.6/98.2±4.4)mm Hg, P0.05] was found. LVMI correlated negatively with the coronary artery dilatation induced by cold pressure test (r=-0.54,P0.000 1). Conclusion Left ventricular hypertrophy was associated with coronary endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertension. The coronary endothelial dysfunction may contribute to the development of left ventricular hypertrophy.=