How to detect early left atrial remodelling and dysfunction in mild-to-moderate hypertension

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Early changes in left atrial function in hypertension are difficult to assess quantitatively. Measuring atrial reversal flow into the pulmonary veins and regional left atrial deformation parameters assessed by Tissue Doppler-derived strain/rate (S/SR) imaging could provide quantitative assessment of left atrial deformation. We aimed to quantify changes in left atrial volume and deformation and pulmonary flow reversal (PVREVERS) in hypertension to detect subclinical left atrial dysfunction. In 74 hypertensive and 34 age-matched normotensive patients (mean age 49 +/- 1.4 vs. 44.2 +/- 2.1 years) echo studies were performed, including measurements of LAV during reservoir, conduit and pump phases and standard indices reflecting left ventricular filling. S/SR was measured in the lateral left atrial wall. Total deformation (STOTAL) and the contribution to early (SE-index) and late (SA-index) filling were calculated. Hypertensive patients had significantly impaired diastolic function and increased left atrial volume during all phases. Only LAVCONDUIT significantly correlated with both ventricular hypertrophy and parameters of diastolic function. Velocity time integral of PVREVERS correlated with blood pressure and LAVCONDUIT. In hypertensive patients STOTAL was significantly higher (54.9 +/- 2.6 vs. 45.5 +/- 2.7%, P < 0.03) and SE-index was lower (P < 0.0001). This was compensated for by an increased SA-index (P < 0.0001) and SR during atrial contraction (-4.9 +/- 0.2 vs. -2.9 +/- 0.3 1/s, P < 0.0001). SA-index correlated significantly with blood pressure (R = 0.4; P < 0.0001) and PVREVERS (R = 0.3; P < 0.001). Changes in left atrial function due to hypertensive diastolic impairment are best reflected by LAVCONDUIT expansion. Hypertensive atrial dilatation is related to increase in PVREVERS. Left atrial S/SR offers a clinically valuable approach to detecting subclinical atrial dysfunction.