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Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery
Published on: February 20, 2017
Left atrial size in 164 hypertensive patients: an echocardiographic and ambulatory blood pressure study
M A Tedesco1, G Di Salvo, G Ratti
1Department of Cardio-Thoracic Sciences, Second University of Naples, Italy.
Insights
Left atrial enlargement (LAE) in hypertensive patients is linked to age and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Early detection and treatment of LVH are crucial for managing cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Research
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Left atrial enlargement (LAE) correlates with increased mortality and cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization risk.
- The association between LAE and early hypertensive structural changes remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between left atrial (LA) size and 24-hour blood pressure, age, BMI, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in hypertensive individuals.
Main Methods:
- 164 hypertensive outpatients (age 30-76) underwent physical examination, ECG, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), and Doppler echocardiography.
- Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and LA dimensions were calculated.
- Patients were stratified by age (<60 and >=60 years).
Main Results:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) prevalence was higher in older patients (70%) versus younger (45%).
- LA enlargement (>4 cm) was more common in elderly patients (35%) and those with LVH (36%), with age and LVMI being significant predictors.
- No significant difference in LA size was observed in younger patients with or without LVH.
Conclusions:
- LAE is a significant risk factor for mortality and CV hospitalization.
- Development and utilization of drugs targeting LVH inhibition are essential for managing hypertensive patients.
Background:
Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is associated with an increased risk of death and cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization. Whether or not LAE reflects early structural change from hypertension is unclear.
Hypothesis:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between LA size, 24-h blood pressure measurements, age, body mass index (BMI), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in hypertensive patients.
Methods:
We studied 164 outpatients (age range 30-76 years, 73 men and 91 women) with mild to moderate hypertension. Physical examination, electrocardiogram, noninvasive blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), Doppler echocardiogram were performed. Left ventricular mass index and LA dimensions were calculated. The sample was divided by age (< 60 and > or = 60 years).
Results:
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was present in 45% of patients aged < 60 years and in 70% of patients aged > or = 60 years (p = 0.002). Left atrial enlargement (> 4 cm) was present in 35% of elderly and in 24% of young patients (p = 0.31), and in 36% of patients with and 21% of patients without LVH (p = 0.0057). There was no significant difference in the younger patients with and without LVH. The incidence of obesity was low (31%) in the whole sample. The percentage of overweight in the elderly patients with LVH and higher LA size was equally low. Multivariate analysis showed age (p = 0.044) and LVMI (p = 0.002) as the only significant predictors of LA enlargement.
Conclusion:
Since LAE is associated with a high risk of death and CV hospitalization, we emphasize the importance of development and use of drugs that inhibit LVH.
