title: Effect of ramipril therapy on abnormal left atrial appendage function.
abstract: This study investigated whether ramipril treatment has a beneficial effect on left atrial appendage (LAA) function in patients with systemic hypertension in sinus rhythm. Patients with untreated systemic hypertension and normal left ventricular systolic function in sinus rhythm (n  = 20; six males/14 females; age 35 - 69 years, mean ± SD 52.8 ± 8.9 years) were evaluated using transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography at baseline and after 6 months of treatment with 5 mg/day ramipril. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased  significantly after ramipril therapy. Baseline LAA emptying velocity was below the age-related reference value for this parameter, indicating abnormal LAA function. There were significant increases in the LAA filling and emptying velocities after ramipril treatment. It is concluded that the  decrease in blood pressure and haemodynamic improvements brought about by ramipril therapy resulted in improved LAA function in hypertensive patients with normal left ventricular systolic function in sinus rhythm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Van Higher Education Hospital, Edremit, Van, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asker
authors.forename: O B
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Timucin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asker
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Karadag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020517:Atrial Appendage / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016279:Atrial Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017257:Ramipril / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D017257:Ramipril