Regional left ventricular deformation and geometry analysis provides insights in myocardial remodelling in mild to moderate hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
In the early stages of hypertension (HTN), when global left ventricular (LV) function is still unaffected, localized geometrical changes suggest changes in regional function. We investigated regional geometry and systolic deformation (using strain/strain rate (S/SR) imaging) in HTN.


RESULTS
We studied 74 untreated mild to moderate HTNs and 34 matched normotensives (NTN). All had a standard echo including myocardial velocity data for regional radial and longitudinal deformation. Despite the absence of abnormalities in standard functional indices and LVH, non-uniform changes in regional geometry and deformation were observed. Besides a significant increase in wall thickness (WT) in all HTN segments, there was a gradual increase in WT from apex to base resulting in prominent basal septal hypertrophy. In HTN, regional longitudinal peak systolic SR (SSR) and end-systolic S (ESS) were significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced in the basal septum. In the lateral wall there was an increase in peak SSR and ESS (P < 0.05) basally. The basal septal ESS correlated both with mean arterial pressure and basal septal WT, with lower ESS for higher BP and thicker septum.


CONCLUSIONS
Regionally differing geometrical remodelling occurs early in HTN. Longitudinal ESS and peak SSR are sensitive markers of early changes occurring in HTN.
Baltabaeva
Aigul
A
Department of Cardiology, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, UK.
Marciniak
Maciej
M
Bijnens
Bart
B
Moggridge
James
J
He
Feng J
FJ
Antonios
Tarek F
TF
MacGregor
Graham A
GA
Sutherland
George R
GR
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling