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Echocardiographic assessment of hypertensive patients with or without hyperhomocysteinemia

Huan Zheng1, Ye Li, Nanzi Xie

  • 1Geriatrics Department, Tongji Hospital affiliated to Tongji University , Shanghai , China .

Clinical and Experimental Hypertension (New York, N.Y. : 1993)
|June 22, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) exacerbates hypertension-induced myocardial impairment, particularly affecting left ventricular diastolic function. Elevated homocysteine levels correlate significantly with diastolic dysfunction parameters in hypertensive patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and thrombosis.
  • The combined impact of hypertension and Hhcy on cardiac function requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in hypertensive patients with or without Hhcy.
  • To determine the influence of Hhcy on cardiac function parameters in hypertensive individuals.
  • To explore the relationship between serum homocysteine levels and LV diastolic dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function in 40 hypertensive patients with Hhcy, 40 hypertensive patients without Hhcy, and 40 healthy controls.
  • Key parameters measured included left atrial volume index (LAVI), interventricular septum thickness (IVST), posterior ventricular septum thickness (PVST), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), E/A ratio, deceleration time (DT), isovolumic relaxation time (IRT), and the Tei index.
  • Statistical analysis was performed to compare groups and assess correlations between homocysteine levels and cardiac function parameters.

Main Results:

  • Hypertensive patients, with or without Hhcy, exhibited impaired cardiac function compared to controls, indicated by higher Tei index values.
  • Significant differences were observed between hypertensive patients with Hhcy and those without, particularly in LAVI, E/A ratio, DT, IRT, and Tei index.
  • Serum homocysteine levels showed significant correlations with LV diastolic function parameters, including LAVI, E/A, DT, and IRT (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Hyperhomocysteinemia contributes to myocardial impairment in hypertensive patients.
  • Elevated homocysteine levels are strongly associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in the context of hypertension.
  • These findings highlight the importance of managing Hhcy in hypertensive individuals to prevent cardiac complications.

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