A3102 Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction in Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Objectives: Objectives of the present study were to detect an asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (ALVDD) in subjects with high cardiovascular risk and to compare the incidence of ALVDD in group with and without arterial hypertension. <P>Methods:</P> A total of 400 subjects with high cardiovascular risk aged from 35 to 64 years and who had no symptoms of heart failure were assessed by NT-pro BNP assay and echocardiography. Patients with LVEF < 50% were excluded. The cut-off point for NT-pro BNP was 125pg/ml. Asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was defined as left ventricular hypertrophy or E/e1 ratio > 13 by echocardiography and as increased N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level. Results: The study sample consisted of 188 men (47.0%) and 212 women (53.3%). The mean age of participants was 49.5 ± 11.8 years. Hypertension was diagnosed in 198 participants and 202 were normotensive. The mean N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide value among patients with hypertension was 346.8 ± 169.4 pg. /ml. Asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was detected in 11% (n = 44) of subjects with high risk for heart failure. The incidences of ALVDD among hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients were 16.2% (n = 32) and 5.9% (n = 12). By multivariable logistic regression analysis variables independently associated to ALVDD were ages, left ventricular mass and NT-pro BNP value. Conclusion: Based on our study finding we recommend screening for asymptomatic left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension by using NT-pro BNP testing and echocardiography.