[Adaptation of the left ventricle to increased load in primary arterial hypertension]

Adaptational mechanisms of the left ventricle to increased afterload in essential hypertension were studied in a group of 53 males with essential hypertension and in 32 normotensive males of the control group. M-mode echocardiograms were performed in all patients. The degree of hypertrophy, contractility, end-systolic stress index were assessed. The group with essential hypertension had increased peripheral vascular resistance and normal LV out put. In this group there was also increase of LV contractility. Increased LV contractility and LV hypertrophy are adaptational mechanisms maintaining normal cardiac output in patients with hypertension through a decrease in end-systolic stress.