Function In Hypertensive Patients Research Articles

Assessment of mitral annulus velocity by Doppler tissue imaging in the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive patients

Objective This study evaluated left ventricular diastolic dysfunction by using Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) to measure mitral annulus velocity in hypertensive patients. Design and methods Mitral inflow velocities recorded by Doppler echocardiography and mitral annulus velocities measured by DTI were performed in 70 hypertensive patients (62 men and 8 women, age 56.8±8.4years) and in 30 healthy subjects (26 men and 4 women, age 56.3±11.8years). Early (Em), late (Am) diastolic and systolic (Sm) mitral annulus velocities were obtained.

The impact of different geometric patterns of left ventricle on myocardial performance index in hypertensive patients

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate global left ventricle function in hypertensive patients with different geometric patterns of left ventricle by using myocardial performance index (MPI). Design and method The study included 88 hypertensive patients (mean age 52±8years) and 45 healthy persons (mean age 51±7years). The endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricle dimensions, thickness of interventricular septum (IVS) and left ventricle posterior wall (PWT) were measured in all subjects by using two-dimensional echocardiography.

Left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive patients with different geometric patterns of left ventricle

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate diastolic function of left ventricle in hypertensive patients with different geometric patterns of left ventricle. Design and method The study included 88 hypertensive patients (mean age 52±8 years) and 45 healthy persons (mean age 51±7 years). The endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricle dimensions, thickness of interventricular septum (IVS) and left ventricle posterior wall (PWT) were measured in all subjects by using two-dimensional echocardiography. The ratio of early and late diastolic transmitral flow velocities (E/A) was assessed by Doppler echocardiography and the ratio of early diastolic mitral flow velocity was achieved by pulsed-wave Doppler and tissue Doppler (E/Ea) in all subjects. Left ventricle mass index (LVMI) was calculated for all subjects. According to the value of relative wall thickness (RWT) and LVMI hypertensive patients were subdivided into four groups: normal (N) 30 (34%), concentric remodeling (CR) 28 (31.8%), concentric hypertrophy (CH) 20 (22.7%) and eccentric hypertrophy (EH) 10 (11.4%) patients. Results The E/A ratio gradually decreased in hypertensive patients from N to EH group (N, 1.1±0.13; CR, 1.01±0.14; CH, 0.88±0.15; EH, 0.85±0.14), and it was lower comparing it with control group (1.24±0.19), (p<0.01 for all). The E/Ea ratio was higher in all hypertensive groups (N, 9.43±1.72; CR, 10.09±2.86; CH, 14.85±3.76; EH, 11.66±3.03) compared with the controls (6.58±1.12), (p<0.01 for all). In CH group the E/Ea ratio was higher than in N, CR and EH groups (p<0.01, p<0.01, p=0.02, respectively). The E/Ea ratio in hypertensive group was correlated with LVMI (r=0.29, p<0.01), RWT (r=0.21, p=0.032) and IVS (r=0.31, p<0.01). Conclusion Left ventricular diastolic function is impaired in all hypertensive patients. The degree of geometric pattern diastolic cardiac function damage is the most obvious in concentric hypertrophy left ventricle geometric pattern. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate diastolic function of left ventricle in hypertensive patients with different geometric patterns of left ventricle. Design and method The study included 88 hypertensive patients (mean age 52±8 years) and 45 healthy persons (mean age 51±7 years). The endsystolic and enddiastolic left ventricle dimensions, thickness of interventricular septum (IVS) and left ventricle posterior wall (PWT) were measured in all subjects by using two-dimensional echocardiography. The ratio of early and late diastolic transmitral flow velocities (E/A) was assessed by Doppler echocardiography and the ratio of early diastolic mitral flow velocity was achieved by pulsed-wave Doppler and tissue Doppler (E/Ea) in all subjects. Left ventricle mass index (LVMI) was calculated for all subjects. According to the value of relative wall thickness (RWT) and LVMI hypertensive patients were subdivided into four groups: normal (N) 30 (34%), concentric remodeling (CR) 28 (31.8%), concentric hypertrophy (CH) 20 (22.7%) and eccentric hypertrophy (EH) 10 (11.4%) patients. Results The E/A ratio gradually decreased in hypertensive patients from N to EH group (N, 1.1±0.13; CR, 1.01±0.14; CH, 0.88±0.15; EH, 0.85±0.14), and it was lower comparing it with control group (1.24±0.19), (p<0.01 for all). The E/Ea ratio was higher in all hypertensive groups (N, 9.43±1.72; CR, 10.09±2.86; CH, 14.85±3.76; EH, 11.66±3.03) compared with the controls (6.58±1.12), (p<0.01 for all). In CH group the E/Ea ratio was higher than in N, CR and EH groups (p<0.01, p<0.01, p=0.02, respectively). The E/Ea ratio in hypertensive group was correlated with LVMI (r=0.29, p<0.01), RWT (r=0.21, p=0.032) and IVS (r=0.31, p<0.01). Conclusion Left ventricular diastolic function is impaired in all hypertensive patients. The degree of geometric pattern diastolic cardiac function damage is the most obvious in concentric hypertrophy left ventricle geometric pattern.

The effect of candesartan on blood pressure, metabolic profile and renal function in hypertensive patients

The effect of candesartan on blood pressure, metabolic profile and renal function in hypertensive patients

The influence of ambulatory blood pressure profile on regional left ventricular systolic function in hypertensive patients

The influence of ambulatory blood pressure profile on regional left ventricular systolic function in hypertensive patients

Long-term decline in renal function is linked to initial pulse pressure in the essential hypertensive

In the absence of malignant hypertension, the mechanisms for the decline in renal function in hypertensive patients are not well known. Several recent studies, essentially cross-sectional, point to a role for an increase in arterial stiffness and its corollary, the increased pulse pressure (PP), in barotrauma of the renal glomerulus. We examined relations between the PP measured on consultation or by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and the long-term decline in renal function in a population of essential hypertensive patients initially untreated, with normal renal function and without proteinuria. We evaluated the renal outcome of 375 patients of mean age 49 years in a baseline state over a mean follow-up period of 14 years. At follow up, the glomerular filtration rate estimated from the modification of diet in renal disease formula was below 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 in 51 of these patients, two of whom required dialysis. The blood pressure parameter best correlated with subsequent renal failure, independently of other factors of risk such as age or type 2 diabetes, was the PP measured either in consultation or by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring before starting treatment. The PP either measured on consultation or by ambulatory monitoring emerged as an independent determinant of the decline in renal functions in this population, pointing to the possibility of barotrauma of the glomeruli from increased arterial stiffness.

P-380 Anemia is Associated with Increased Ventricular Mass and Impaired Diastolic Function in Hypertensive Patients Without Cardiac Complications

P-380 Anemia is Associated with Increased Ventricular Mass and Impaired Diastolic Function in Hypertensive Patients Without Cardiac Complications

Impact of diabetes on treatment-induced changes in left ventricular structure and function in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. The LIFE study

Background and aim Diabetes is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and impaired systolic function in hypertensive patients, but less is known about its impact on LVH regression and functional improvement during antihypertensive treatment. Methods and results We performed annual echocardiography in 730 non-diabetic and 93 diabetic patients (aged 55–80 years) with hypertension and electrocardiographic LVH during 4.8-year losartan- or atenolol-based treatment in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study. Baseline mean blood pressure (BP) and LV mass did not differ between groups. Diabetic patients had higher body mass index and pulse pressure, and lower LV ejection fraction, midwall shortening, stress-corrected midwall shortening, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (all p < 0.05), and were more likely to have albuminuria. Despite comparable BP reduction in diabetic and non-diabetic groups during treatment (33/18 vs. 28/16 mm Hg (ns)), diabetes was associated with higher prevalence of persistent LVH (47 vs. 39%, p < 0.05). In multivariate analyses, diabetes independently predicted less LV mass reduction and less improvement in stress-corrected LV midwall shortening (both p < 0.01). Conclusion Among hypertensive patients with LVH, diabetes is associated with more residual LVH and less improvement in systolic LV function by echocardiography over 4.8 years of antihypertensive treatment.

Impaired endothelial function in hypertensive patients with target organ damage

To evaluate the correlation between endothelial dysfunction and multiple target organ damage (TOD), we measured endothelial function using high-resolution ultrasonography in hypertensive patients with or without TOD. Two hundred and eighty patients with hypertension were divided into four groups as follows: no TOD (Group I, n=61); 1 TOD (Group II, n=113); 2 TOD (Group III, n=59); and >or=3 TOD (Group IV, n=47). Endothelial function was assessed by endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and -independent vasodilation (after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin) of the brachial artery using high-resolution vascular ultrasound. We also assessed the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid, carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). FMD was inversely associated with the number of affected organs. FMD was lower in the patient groups with >or=3 TOD (Group IV: 6.85+/-4.70% vs Group II: 10.00+/-6.15%, P<0.01), 2 TOD (Group III: 7.37+/-5.02% vs Group II, P<0.01) and 1 TOD as compared with patients with no TOD (Group I: 11.88+/-7.11% vs Group II, P<0.05). In univariate correlation analysis, there was a significant relationship between FMD and IMT, serum creatinine, LVMI and cf-PWV. In stepwise multivariate regression analysis, FMD still correlated with waist size (beta=-0.283, P<0.01), age (beta=-0.231, P<0.05) and IMT (beta=-0.197, P=0.05). These findings suggested that reduced FMD was associated with the number of TOD and may be considered an indicator for evaluating TOD.

Ratio of Peak Early to Late Diastolic Filling Velocity of Transmitral Flow is Predictive of Right Ventricular Diastolic Abnormality in Untreated Hypertensive Patients

Objective Impaired right ventricular (RV) diastolic function in hypertensive patients has been observed with pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). However, it is unclear whether TDI should be used to assess RV diastolic function for all hypertensive patients, regardless of their transtricuspid flow patterns. Moreover, the predictors of TDI-derived RV diastolic function abnormality in these patients are not well known. Materials and Methods Thirty untreated hypertensive patients underwent standard Doppler echocardiography and pulsed wave TDI. They were divided into two groups based on RV diastolic filling patterns: group A ( n = 22) with a transtricuspid flow early diastolic filling velocity (E)/late diastolic filling velocity (A) ratio of > 1 and group B ( n = 8) with a transtricuspid flow E/A ratio of < 1. Systolic and diastolic indices of both ventricles were compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics and standard Doppler echocardiographic measurements between the two study groups. Among the TDI parameters compared, only the RV regional relaxation time (RT m) was significantly longer in group B than in group A (50.4 ± 33.1 ms vs. 20.8 ± 22.0 ms, respectively; p = 0.009). A similar proportion of patients with TDI-derived RV diastolic dysfunction was observed in both groups (86.4% in group A vs. 87.5% in group B; p = 1.000). Stepwise, forward multivariate analysis revealed that the only independent correlate of TDI-derived indices of RV diastolic function was the transmitral flow E/A ratio. This ratio was positively correlated with the ratio of tricuspid annular peak early diastolic (E m) to late diastolic (A m) velocity and negatively correlated with RV RT m ( p < 0.01 for both). Conclusion In this study, the transmitral flow peak E/A ratio showed the best correlation with TDI-derived RV diastolic function indices. Assessment of RV diastolic function using pulsed-wave TDI in hypertensive patients is valuable if an inverted transmitral flow E/A ratio is detected with conventional Doppler echocardiography.

Comparison of the Anti-Hypertensive Effects of the L/N-Type Calcium Channel Antagonist Cilnidipine, and the L-Type Calcium Channel Antagonist Amlodipine in Hypertensive Patients with Cerebrovascular Disease

It is known that the risk of cerebral stroke recurrence in post-stroke patients is comparatively higher than in normal subjects, and it is suggested that autonomic nervous system dysfunctions elevate this risk. We investigated the anti-hypertensive effects of cilnidipine, a Ca antagonist which suppresses sympathetic nerve activation, in hypertensives with chronic-stage cerebrovascular disease in a comparison with amlodipine. Amlodipine 5-7.5 mg/day, or cilnidipine 5-10 mg/day was administered to 78 hypertensive subjects (greater than 140 mmHg systolic, or 90 mmHg diastolic) undergoing outpatient treatment. Amlodipine or cilnidipine was also administered similarly, to 30 subjects having hypertension associated with a cerebral infarct which occurred more than one month earlier due to cerebral thrombosis or embolism. After 3 months administration, the subjects' blood pressures and pulse rates were recorded with an ambulatory blood pressure monitor over 24 hours. No difference was recognized in patient age, gender, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure before treatment between the groups. In the cilnidipine groups, no difference in average 24-hour or waking systolic blood pressure values was seen between cerebrovascular disease (CVD) subjects and non-CVD subjects, although in the amlodipine groups, CVD subjects had significantly higher blood pressure values than non-CVD subjects. In the cilnidipine group, the coefficient of variation values of pulse rate were significantly higher in CVD subjects than in non-CVD subjects (p<0.05). In patients with recent stroke, a Ca antagonist with no sympathetic nerve suppression had weaker blood pressure-lowering effects. Significantly increased pulse rate variability, shown in the CVD subjects administered cilnidipine, suggests that cilnidipine enhanced the parasympathetic function in hypertensive patients with CVD.

Evaluation of left ventricular global function, using Doppler Myocardial Performance Index (Tei- index) in patients with systemic Hypertension

The study was designed to compare the Doppler myocardial performance index (Tei index) between those patients with systemic hypertension with normal populations. 50 patients with hypertension (16 with left ventricular hypertrophy and 34 without hypertrophy) were taken as cases and 52 age and sex matched healthy individuals were taken as controls. Left ventricular global function was calculated using the echocardiographic Doppler index as described by Tei et al. (Tei index). Left ventricular global function differs significantly between those with left ventricular hypertrophy and without hypertrophy. Pulmonary venous flow parameters revealed significant increase in atrial reversal velocity (AR velocity) and also significant lengthening of atrial reversal duration (AR duration). All of these parameters signify worsening diastolic properties. The Tei index is not affected by increasing age and therefore, is appropriate for evaluating left ventricular global function in hypertensive patients, most of whom are middle aged or older. This index may be useful for determining treatment strategy and evaluating treatment effects. Â University Heart Journal Vol.4(1) January 2008

Platelet function in hypertension

Platelets from hypertensive patients show increased sensitivity to agonists and have high intracellular free Ca 2+ concentration. Furthermore, in hypertension, platelets show enhanced endogenous production of reactive oxygen species and a reduced antioxidant status which increases protein tyrosine phosphorylation, enhances Ca 2+ mobilization and attenuates NO bioavailability. The study of the abnormalities in platelet function in hypertensive patients can lead to the development of new pharmacological strategies to prevent and/or palliate hypertension-derived complications associated to platelet hyperactivity.

Effect of irbesartan on erectile function in patients with hypertension and metabolic syndrome

Pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) is related to endothelial dysfunction and therefore associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with a combination of risk factors, as in metabolic syndrome, are thus likely to have an increased risk of developing endothelial and ED. The angiotensin receptor antagonist irbesartan has been shown to improve endothelial function in cardiovascular high-risk patients, which suggests a beneficial effect of treatment with irbesartan on ED. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of irbesartan on ED in patients with a metabolic syndrome. A total of 1069 consecutive hypertensive patients with a metabolic syndrome from the Documentation of hypertension and metabolic syndrome in patients with Irbesartan Treatment survey were included. Patients were treated with irbesartan or the combination of irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide for 6 months. ED was assessed using the international index of erectile function. The Cologne Evaluation Questionnaire of Erectile Dysfunction served as a control. Erectile function increased significantly (P<0.0001) after 6 months of treatment with irbesartan, irrespective of dosage and independent of additional treatment with hydrochlorothiazide. Prevalence of ED declined to 63.7% from 78.5% at baseline, along with a significant increase in orgasmic function (P<0.001) and intercourse satisfaction (P<0.001). Treatment with irbesartan alone, as well as in combination with hydrochlorothiazide is associated with an improvement of sexual desire, frequency of sexual contacts and erectile function in hypertensive patients with the metabolic syndrome. These results suggest a beneficial role of angiotensin receptor antagonists in the treatment of metabolic syndrome, and ED.

Endothelial function in hypertensive patients under the conditions of stress, muscle relaxation and their combination

Aim of the paper was to study the influence of stress, muscle relaxation and their combination on endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) in hypertensive patients. We investigated 22 hypertensive patients of I stage (age 41,8+1,8 years) and healthy persons (n= 16) as control group comparable by sex and age. The central hemodynamic parameters and forearm blood flow estimated before and during the reactive hyperemia test (RHT) at initial condition, during the mental stress, muscle relaxation and their combination. Results: the mental stress caused in healthy people increased heart rate and systolic blood pressure, but did not influence on forearm EDV. In hypertensive patients increase of heart rate and blood pressure at mental stress was accompanied by decrease of EDV (up to 5,15±0,75%). The muscle relaxation condition in healthy individuals resulted in more expressed EVD (on 10,76±1,77%). In hypertensive patients heart rate and blood pressure reduction was even more expressed, thus, EDV was comparable with basal. The combination of stress and muscle relaxation unequally influenced on EVD in groups: if in the control disappearance of additional vasodilator reaction (EVD was 7,98+1,0%) has taken place, in the hypertensive group the stress with condition of muscle relaxation had no similar effect (EVD was 8,71 ±2,3%). Thus, we revealed dependence of EDV on both stress and stress-limiting influences. It can be used in primary and secondary prevention of arterial hypertension.

Vascular endothelial functions, carotid intima-media thickness, and soluble CD40 ligand levels in dipper and nondipper essential hypertensive patients

The lack of nocturnal decline in blood pressure (BP) is associated with an increase in cardiovascular events. Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) is involved in the pathogenesis of risk factor-related vascular damage. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between vascular endothelial functions, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), plasma sCD40L levels and circadian BP profile in patients with essential hypertension. The study population consisted of 81 essential hypertensive out-patients. BP dipping was defined as a night-to-day systolic and diastolic decrease >or=10%. Forty-seven dipper and 34 nondipper patients were compared. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), sCD40L and urinary albumin were measured. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and cIMT was compared between the groups. sCD40L level (3.28 +/- 2.08 and 2.30 +/- 1.99 ng/ml, respectively, P = 0.036) and urinary albumin concentration (36.7 +/- 20.1 and 23 +/- 29.7 mg/l, respectively, P < 0.0001) were higher in nondippers than in dippers. Serum hs-CRP levels were not significantly different. FMD was found higher in dippers than nondippers (11.8 +/- 3.9% and 6.6 +/- 2.2%, respectively, P < 0.0001). The average cIMT was significantly higher in nondippers than dippers (0.928 +/- 0.060 Vs. 0.734 +/- 0.134 mm; P < 0.0001). Nondipper patern has an additional negative effect on endothelial functions in hypertensive patients. Nondippers have enhanced sCD40L levels, which may contribute to their increased susceptibility to develop vascular damage.

Mechanical dyssynchrony: another mechanism of left ventricular dysfunction in hypertension?

Mechanical dyssynchrony: another mechanism of left ventricular dysfunction in hypertension?

Long-Term N-Acetylcysteine and l-Arginine Administration Reduces Endothelial Activation and Systolic Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Reactive oxygen and nitric oxide (NO) have recently been considered to be involved in the cardiovascular complications of patients with type 2 diabetes, as NO is thought to lose its beneficial physiological effects in the presence of oxygen radicals. For this reason, we tested the effects of l-arginine (ARG) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration in increasing NO bioavailability by reducing free radical formation. A double-blind study was performed on 24 male patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension divided into two groups of 12 patients that randomly received either an oral supplementation of placebo or NAC + ARG for 6 months. The NAC + ARG treatment caused a reduction of both systolic (P < 0.05) and diastolic (P < 0.05) mean arterial blood pressure, total cholesterol (P < 0.01), LDL cholesterol (P < 0.005), oxidized LDL (P < 0.05), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (P < 0.05), intracellular adhesion molecule (P < 0.05), vascular cell adhesion molecule (P < 0.01), nitrotyrosine (P < 0.01), fibrinogen (P < 0.01), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (P < 0.05), and an improvement of the intima-media thickness during endothelial postischemic vasodilation (P < 0.02). HDL cholesterol increased (P < 0.05). No changes in other parameters studied were observed. NAC + ARG administration seems to be a potential well-tolerated antiatherogenic therapy because it improves endothelial function in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes by improving NO bioavailability via reduction of oxidative stress and increase of NO production. Our study's results give prominence to its potential use in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention in these patients.

Noninvasive Assessment of Left Atrial Function by Strain Rate Imaging in Patients with Hypertension: A Possible Beneficial Effect of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibition on Left Atrial Function

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors are likely to reduce the development of atrial fibrillation by preventing atrial fibrosis. Strain rate (SR) imaging is a novel echocardiographic technique to quantify left atrial (LA) function. However, it has not been determined whether SR imaging is applicable for detection of LA dysfunction in hypertensive (HT) patients. We used SR imaging to assess alteration in LA function in HT patients and its modification by RAS inhibitors. SR imaging was performed in 80 HT patients and 50 age-matched normotensive (NT) subjects. HT patients were divided into two groups according to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and LA dilatation. Peak SR was measured at each LA segment (septal, lateral, posterior, anterior, and inferior) and mean peak systolic SR (SR-LAs) was calculated by averaging data in each segment. Mean SR-LAs levels in the dilated LA group (1.97+/-0.45 s(-1), n=25) and non-dilated LA group (2.15+/-0.57 s(-1), n=55) were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that in NT subjects (2.53+/-0.71 s(-1)). Irrespective of the presence or absence of LVH, mean SR-LAs in HT patients was lower than that in NT subjects. When RAS inhibitors were used, the mean SR-LAs level in the non-dilated LA group was equivalent to that in NT subjects. In HT patients, mean SR-LAs, an index of LA reservoir function, decreases before development of LA enlargement and LVH. Treatment with RAS inhibitors appears to preserve LA reservoir function in HT patients without dilated LA. SR imaging can detect LA dysfunction in HT patients and is useful for evaluation of the therapeutic benefit on LA reservoir function.

Enhanced Left Atrial Reservoir, Increased Conduit, and Weakened Booster Pump Function in Hypertensive Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has an impact on left atrial (LA) function in hypertensive patients and, if so, to select clinical factors influencing this relationship. Sixty-four essential hypertensive patients with PAF (group EHf) and fifty-five patients without PAF (group EH) were enrolled. Using acoustic quantification, the maximal and minimum LA volume (LAVmax, LAVmin), the LA volume at the end of rapid emptying (EREV), and the LA volume at the onset of atrial emptying (OAEV) were measured. The LA total emptying volume (TE; TE=LAVmax-LAVmin), LA rapid emptying volume (RE; RE=LAVmax-EREV), and left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF)=(OAEV-LAVmin)/OAEVx100% were calculated. LAVmax, LAVmax indexed to body surface area (LAVmaxI), TE and RE were significantly increased in group EHf. LAEF was clearly lower in group EHf than in group EH. The linear regression analysis showed that the frequency and total number of PAF episodes were the factors with the greatest influence on LAVmaxI (r=0.787, p<0.05). TE and frequency of PAF episodes were the most influential factors on RE (r=0.902, p<0.01). These results suggest that the occurrence of PAF in hypertensive patients is associated with enhanced LA reservoir and conduit function and worse booster pump function. The enhancement of LA reservoir function may be related to the frequency and total number of PAF episodes, and the increased LA conduit function may be related to the LA total emptying volume and frequency of PAF episodes.