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Changes in left atrial dimension and function and left ventricular geometry in newly diagnosed untreated hypertensive

Adedeji K Adebayo1, Olulola O Oladapo, Adewole A Adebiyi

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. akbayo53972@yahoo.com

Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine (Hagerstown, Md.)
|May 14, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Early hypertension causes marginal left atrial changes, including increased length and accentuated systolic function, alongside left ventricular geometric alterations. These findings highlight early cardiac remodeling in hypertensive individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Hypertension is known to cause cardiac structural and functional changes.
  • The precise sequence and earliest indicators of these changes are still under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate early alterations in left atrial size and function in newly diagnosed hypertension.
  • To examine the relationship between left atrial changes and left ventricular geometry.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiography (M-mode, 2D, Doppler) was used to assess cardiac parameters.
  • Left atrial dimensions, volumes, and emptying fractions were derived from imaging data.
  • 100 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and 50 healthy controls were studied.

Main Results:

  • Hypertensive patients showed increased left ventricular mass compared to controls (37% vs. 16%).
  • Hypertensive subjects exhibited significantly larger left atrial dimensions (3.5 vs. 3.1 cm) and longer pre-atrial contraction length (3.8 vs. 3.6 cm).
  • Peak late mitral inflow velocity was higher in hypertensive patients (0.64 vs. 0.56 m/s).

Conclusions:

  • Left ventricular geometric changes occur early in hypertension, preceding systolic dysfunction.
  • Associated left atrial changes are subtle, marked by increased length and enhanced systolic function.
  • These findings indicate early cardiac remodeling in hypertension.
Abstract

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