Echocardiographic and Doppler evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic function in black and white hypertensive patients.
Echocardiography including Doppler examination has been used to assess left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic function in 24 patients: 12 black Negro patients and 12 white patients who were matched with respect to age, heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Significant left ventricular hypertrophy was present with normal systolic function but impaired diastolic function with a decrease in peak E velocity, an increase in peak A velocity and reversal of the E/A ratio. In the combined groups LV mass and LVPW correlated with systolic blood pressure (P less than 0.05). In the blacks systolic and diastolic blood pressure correlated with LV mass and LVPW thickness (P less than 0.05). Septal thickness correlated only with systolic blood pressure (P less than 0.01). In contrast the indices of diastolic function did not correlate with blood pressure or with left ventricular hypertrophy. No morphological differences in the left ventricle have been shown between the two groups but both had significant left ventricular hypertrophy. Whilst diastolic function is abnormal, this appeared to be independent of either blood pressure or degree of left ventricular hypertrophy. A neurohumeral mechanism has not been discounted.
Rittoo
D
D
Cardiac Department, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
Monaghan
M
M
Sadiq
T
T
Nichols
A
A
Richardson
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003971:Diastole; D004452:Echocardiography; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D044465:White People