COLOR M-MODE PROPAGATION VELOCITY (VP) TO ASSESS THE LEFT VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN HYPERTENSION PATIENTS

Objective: To evaluate the color M-mode (Vp) propagation velocity parameter and the correlation between Vp and left ventricular diastolic function parameters in hypertension patients. Subjects and Methods: A echocardiography study of 51 hypertensive patients, admitted to the Department of Cardiology of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. This is a cross-sectional study. Results: The Vp value was 63.34 ± 28.22 cm/s. In the left ventricular hypertrophy group, the Vp was lower (62.68 ± 28.08 cm/s) than Vp of the left ventricular non hypertrophy group but not significative (p > 0.05). We found clearly a diminution of the Vp in the groupe with degree 2 of diastolic dysfunction (Vp = 36.18 ± 4.17 cm/s) in comparison with degree 1 (55.65 ± 21.43 cm/s). Vp was positively correlated with the left ventricular peak E-wave velocity (r = 0.304, p < 0.05) and the E/A wave ratio (r = 0.319, p < 0.05). In addition, Vp was inversely correlated with ventricular septal thickness (r = - 0.372, p < 0.01) and left ventricular post wall (r = -0.347; p < 0.01). Conclusion: The Vp parameter may be used as a complement parameters to assess the left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive patients. This parameter is valuable in patients with 2 stage or more of diastolic function disorder. Key words: Hypertension, ventricular diastolic function, color M-mode propagation velocity