Relationship of left atrial and left ventricular patterns with arrhythmias in hypertension

Objective To study the relationship between left atrial andventricular patterns and arrhythmias in hypertension.Methods 95 hypertensive patients were divided according to their ages into two groups:Group A (those less than 60 years old)and Group B (60 or more).Their left atrial dimension (LAD) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were measured by plused doppler echocardiograph,and their arrhythmias were monitored by Holter dy namic electrocardiogram.And the results were contrastively analyzed with other indexes concerned.Results 63(66.3%) cases were determined having left atrial enlargement (LAE) and 45(47.4%) having left ventricular hypertrop hy (LVH)(P＜0.05 between the two figures).37 cases were found with pure LAE;19 cases with pure LVH and 26 cases with LAE accompanied by LVH(LEH ).Comparison with the non-hypertension group showed P＜0.01.Group A were compared with Group B about their incidence of pure LAE,LVH and LEH,showing P＜0.05. 54 (56.8%) cases were detected with ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and 71(74.7%) cases with atrial arrhythmia (AA) with signifi cant difference.Comparison between Group A and Group B concerning their VA or AA showed P＜0.05.Conclusion Hypertension should include not only LVH but also LAE which has a higher incidence.The occurance of arrhythmias is correlated to the left atrial and ventricular structure changes and more frequently appear in elderly patients with hypertension.