Abstract
Background: Arterial hypertension is associated with morphologic and functional left atrial (LA) abnormalities. An increase in LA size in patients with hypertension may suggest early sign of LV diastolic impairment leading to heart failure. Peak Atrial Longitudinal Strain (PALS) is a new echocardiographic method reflecting LA reservoir function. This method is particularly useful when changes are subtle and not easily determined by traditional parameters, as it is in arterial hypertension. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate PALS using 2D strain in patients with and without hypertensionas an indicator for early diastolic LV impairment. Methods: 60 patients with normal Ejection Fraction (30 patients as control group vs 30 hypertensive patients) underwent echocardiography examination. Peak Atrial Longitudinal Strain was measured using speckle tracking 2D echocardiography. Mean PALS between both group was analysed statistically. Result: Of 60 patients, 56,7% were male and 43,3% were female. There were no statistically difference in mean age, body mass index and history of diabetes between control and hypertensive group (58 years vs 54 years, p = 0,300; 24,5 vs 22,5 p= 0,061, 1,9 % vs 1,8%, p=0,398, respectively). Echocardiography examination showed LA diameter and LA volume index were higher in hypertensive group (31,47 vs 28,43 mm, p=0,090; 24,04 ml/m2 vs 18,03 ml/m2, p= 0,100, respectively). There was no diastolic dysfunction found in both group. Comparison between PALS in hypertensive group and control group showed significant result statistically (25,05% vs 46,36%, p=0,001) with lower value in hypertensive group. Conclusion: Patients with arterial hypertension have decreased PALS reflecting abnormality of reservoir LA function even in the absence of echocardiographic signs of LV diastolic dysfunction. PALS may be considered as a promising tool for the early diastolic LV impairment in hypertension.
Published Version
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