The impact of hypertension on systolic and diastolic left ventricular function. A tissue Doppler echocardiographic study

Background The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of hypertension on systolic function and diastolic function using 2-dimensional echocardiography, conventional Doppler imaging of the transmitral inflow, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of the mitral annulus. Methods From an outpatient clinic population, 414 consecutive patients underwent 2-dimensional echocardiography, conventional Doppler imaging of the transmittal inflow, and TDI of the septal, lateral, inferior, and posterior walls near the mitral annulus. Parameters of systolic left ventricular (LV) function and diastolic LV function were assessed. Patients were divided according to the presence or absence of systemic hypertension (blood pressure >= 140/90 mm Hg on >= 3 measurements or treatment with anti hypertensive medication). Results A complete echocardiographic evaluation was obtained in 397 patients. Among these, 269 (68%) had hypertension. There was no difference with respect to age between patients with and without hypertension. Patients with hypertension had higher LV mass index and relative wall thickness and lower TDI peak systolic velocity (VS) when compared with patients without hypertension. In addition, indices of diastolic LV function were significantly impaired in hypertensive patients. Conclusions Quantitative echocardiography using TDI reveals that hypertensive patients with preserved global LV systolic function often have combined impairment of systolic function and diastolic function.