Correlation between left atrial strain and left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Hypertension Research

Background:

• Early detection of asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction is crucial for preventing heart failure in hypertensive patients.
• Left atrial strain is suggested to aid in evaluating left ventricular diastolic function, but its role in hypertension requires further investigation.
• This study explores left atrial strain using a two-dimensional speckle tracking technique in hypertensive individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in left atrial strain in hypertensive patients.
• To investigate the relationship between left atrial strain and left ventricular diastolic function.
• To identify early markers of diastolic dysfunction in hypertension.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-two hypertensive patients and 59 healthy controls were enrolled.
• Hypertensive patients were categorized into three groups based on diastolic function index count (0, 1, or ≥2).
• Two-dimensional speckle tracking measured left atrial reservoir strain (LASr), conduit strain, and contraction strain.

Main Results:

• Hypertensive patients showed lower LASr and conduit strain compared to controls.
• LASr and conduit strain decreased with increasing diastolic dysfunction severity.
• LASr positively correlated with measures of diastolic function (septal e´, lateral e´, E, E/A) and negatively with E/septal e´.

Conclusions:

• Left atrial function changes precede structural alterations in early hypertension.
• Left atrial strain, particularly when combined with indices like LASr/(E/septal e´), is a valuable tool for assessing left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive patients.