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Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in elderly hypertensives: results of the APROS-diadys study

Alberto Zanchetti1, Cesare Cuspidi, Lisa Comarella

  • 1Centro di Fisiologia Clinica, University of Milan, Ospedale Maggiore Milan, Italy. alberto.zanchetti@unimi.it

Journal of Hypertension
|September 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Diastolic dysfunction is common in elderly hypertensive patients without chronic heart failure (CHF). This study found that 25.8% of patients met primary criteria for diastolic dysfunction, highlighting its prevalence in this demographic.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Chronic heart failure (CHF) often involves diastolic dysfunction, particularly in the elderly and hypertensive individuals.
  • The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction in elderly hypertensive patients without CHF has not been systematically studied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of echocardiographic signs of diastolic dysfunction in elderly hypertensive patients without CHF.
  • To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with diastolic dysfunction in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional observational study (APROS-diadys) involving elderly (>/= 65 years) hypertensive patients without systolic dysfunction (LVEF >/= 45%).
  • Echocardiographic Doppler examination was used to assess diastolic dysfunction based on primary (E/A ratio < 0.7 or > 1.5) and secondary criteria.
  • Data from 2545 patients across 107 clinics in Italy were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Diastolic dysfunction was identified in 25.8% of patients based on primary criteria.
  • Age, gender, left ventricular mass, systolic and pulse pressures, and midwall shortening fraction were significant covariates.
  • Using secondary criteria, the prevalence increased to 45.6%.

Conclusions:

  • Diastolic dysfunction is highly prevalent in elderly hypertensive patients attending hospital clinics.
  • These findings underscore the importance of screening for diastolic dysfunction in this at-risk group.
Abstract

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