[Relationship between heart mass and semi-ambulatory pressure profiles]

This work was undertaken with 420 patients (90 normotensives: casual blood pressure less than or equal to 140/90 mmHg and 330 hypertensives) in which was recorded a semi ambulatory blood pressure profile (Dinamap 8AM-8PM, a reading every fifteen minutes). On the same day an echocardiogram was performed. We have correlated the left ventricular mass, the left ventricular mass index, the interventricular septum, the left ventricular cavity volume and the left ventricular posterior wall with casual blood pressure, average daily blood pressure standard deviation and variation coefficient for mean blood pressure, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Analysis by sex, left ventricular mass index and blood pressure level (normotensive, hypertensive): we observe a left ventricular hypertrophy in normotensive males (18 p. 100) and hypertensive ones (39.8 p. 100), in normotensive females (15 p. 100) and hypertensive ones (33.3 p. 100). Overall in 420 patients: excellent correlation (p less than 0.001) between average daily blood pressure, casual blood pressure and the four echocardiographic parameters except for left ventricular cavity volume. But correlation is better (z test of Fisher) with average daily blood pressure than with casual blood pressure. No difference exists between results obtained in women (194) and men (226). Concerning variability, four observations: there exists a correlation between standard deviation, left ventricular mass index, interventricular septum, left ventricular posterior wall (only for standard deviation of MBP). No correlation with coefficient correlation except for the MBP with septum in women. The correlation for the standard deviation are weaker than with average daily blood pressure. They are better with the septum than with other echocardiographic parameters.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)