DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF CARDIAC ULTRASOUND 
IN ESTIMATING THE DURATION OF ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between the degree and duration of arterial hypertension and the hypertrophy of the left ventricle and the ejection fraction of the heart, with cardiac ultrasound. Our prospective study included 50 patients with arterial hypertension as leading diagnosis. All 50 patients were consecutively examined in the Emergency Department and then referred to the Cardiac clinic of the Clinical Hospital "Sveti Duh" for further evaluation. The inclusion criteria were male and female aged 18 and older and arterial hypertension as leading diagnosis during Emergency Department visit. Exclusion criteria were pathological conditions that alter myocardial architecture and impair contractility. Measurement of the left ventricle thickness based on the thickness of the intraventricular septum and the posterior wall of the left ventricle, and the ejection fraction was ultrasonically determined. The highest proportion of subjects was with the first degree of arterial hypertension, followed by subjects with a third degree. The average duration of arterial hypertension was 6.14 years. Of the total number of subjects, 28% did not take any antihypertensive drugs. A statistically significant association was found between the degree and duration of arterial hypertension with the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. Significant association wasn't found between the degree or duration of arterial hypertension and the heart ejection fraction. Our study have shown strong correlation between the degree and duration of arterial hypertension and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy and ultrasound could be a useful method in the evaluation of some patients with arterial hypertension in the emergency department.