[Evaluation of diastolic function during and post-exercise in patients with arterial hypertension]

It is known that patients with arterial hypertension and ventricular hypertrophy have diastolic alterations, in particular during exercise. However, it is controversial if diastolic dysfunction continues once exercise had concluded. The objective was to assess the effects of isometric exercise on the diastolic function in patients with arterial hypertension. Five control patients (group 1, G1) and 7 patients with arterial hypertension (group 2, G2) were studied. All patients underwent cardiac catheterization and performed isometric exercise until heart rate increased 43 +/- 7%. Left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were measured. We calculated, +dP/dt(max), the time constant of isovolumic pressure decay (tau) and t1/2 were all measured.

The LVSP increased in G1 and G2 during exercise from 140 +/- 3 to 195 +/- 14 mm Hg (p < 0.05) and 161 +/- 9 to 238 +/- 15 mm Hg, respectively; returning to their basal values once exercise had concluded. The tau (tau) and t1/2 increased, while exercising in G2, from 23 +/- 2 and 15 +/- 2 msec to 35 +/- 7 and 23 +/- 4 msec, respectively. After exercise both variables continued elevated reaching 41 +/- 6 msec (p < 0.05) and 23 +/- 3 msec (p < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, isometric exercise decreases relaxation rate and increases LVEDP in patients with arterial hypertension and ventricular hypertrophy. After exercise, isovolumic relaxation remained altered suggesting the presence of stunned myocardium.