[Dynamics of left ventricular systole in primary arterial hypertension with a positive submaximal stress test]

There was made an exercise test until appearing exercise limiting symptoms in 50 patients with the second period of primary arterial hypertension (PAH) and in 73 healthy subjects. Exercise test was positive in 26 PHA patients (group I), and was negative in 24 (group II). Negative exercise tests were stated also in a group of 73 healthy subjects (control group-III). Tolerance of physical exercise, probability of coronary heart disease, rest and exercise arterial blood pressure values and left-ventricular systolic time intervals (LVSTI) were analysed in these groups. The preejection period (PEP) and PEP/LVET ratio increased and left-ventricular ejection time index (LVETI) decreased at rest in patients with the second period of PAH as compared in healthy subjects. It proved that left-ventricular mechanical function had been damaged. Submaximal physical exercise proceeded however with similar changes of LVSTI as healthy subjects. There were found high pretest probability of coronary heart disease, decreased tolerance of submaximal physical effort and decreased left-ventricular mechanical function in patients with positive exercise test. Rest values of PEPI and PEP/LVET ratio were significantly higher and LVETI were lower in I than in II (p less than 0.05) an in III group (p less than 0.001). Increased values of PEPI, LVETI and PEP/LVET ratio in relation to the second group and much more as compared in the control group were observed during physical effort.