[Analysis of factors influencing left ventricular mass and diastolic function in normotensive men]

Increase in left ventricular weight is an important risk factor for the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, and reduction in diastolic function of the left ventricle is an early marker for cardiac dysfunction. Factors related to the left ventricular mass and diastolic function were analyzed in middle-aged normotensive men.

The subjects were 126 normotensive men aged 49 +/- 1 years who were hospitalized for health-checkup. In addition to physical examination and routine laboratory tests, echocardiography including the pulse-Doppler method was performed and urinary electrolyte excretions, plasma angiotensin II, plasma noradrenaline and the angiotensin converting enzyme genotype were examined.

Left ventricular mass index was positively correlated with mean blood pressure (r = 0.249, p < 0.006) and body mass index (r = 0.279, p < 0.002). With regard to the index of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, the late to early peak transmitral flow velocity ratio (A/E) was positively correlated with age (r = 0.465, p < 0.001) and urinary sodium excretion (r = 0.240, p < 0.007). Neither left ventricular mass index or A/E was affected by the angiotensin converting enzyme genotype and was not significantly correlated with plasma angiotensin II or noradrenaline.

Increase in left ventricular mass is influenced by blood pressure and obesity, whereas reduction in left ventricular diastolic function is affected by greater age and salt intake.