title: Comparison of the left atrial appendage flow velocities between patients with dipper versus nondipper hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study, left atrial appendage (LAA) flow velocities of dipper and nondipper hypertensive patients were compared with normal subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three patients with nondipper hypertension (NDH), 25 patients with dipper hypertension (DH), and 25 control subjects with comparable age, gender, and body mass indices were enrolled in the study. A detailed history, physical examination, and routine laboratory tests were obtained on all participants. Standard transthoracic echocardiographic examinations were performed on each subject. In addition, LAAs of all patients were visualized using transesophageal echocardiography. LAA filling and ejection velocities were measured using pulsed-wave Doppler with the sample volume placed in proximal third of the LAA. The mean LAA ejection velocity in patients with NDH (47.7 + 13.0 cm/sec) was found to be significantly lower relative to the DH (66.3 + 12.9 cm/sec) and the control group (81.7 + 8.0 cm/sec) (P < 0.001). The mean LAA filling velocity in patients with NDH (41.7 + 14.7 cm/sec) was also significantly lower relative to those observed in the DH 58.8 + 9.2 cm/sec) and the control group (67.2 + 7.9 cm/sec) (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In NDH patients, LAA filling and ejection flow rates are decreased relative to DH patients and the control group. For patients with NDH detected using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, more aggressive treatment approach should be considered. Maintenance of LAA function may prevent potential complications secondary to left atrial appendage dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Mus Sifa Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Mus, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ferhat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kumak
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gungor
mesh_terms: D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity