R-Wave Peak Time and Subclinical Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients: Insights From...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Diagnostics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Hypertension (HT) is a major cause of myocardial dysfunction.
• Early detection of myocardial impairment is challenging.
• Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) detects subclinical damage but has limited routine use.
• R-wave peak time (RWPT) may indicate conduction delays and structural remodeling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between RWPT and LV-GLS in patients with HT.
• To evaluate RWPT as a potential marker for subclinical myocardial dysfunction in hypertensive individuals.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 403 hypertensive patients.
• Transthoracic echocardiography and 12-lead ECG performed.
• LV-GLS assessed via speckle-tracking echocardiography.
• ECG images digitized for RWPT analysis.

Main Results:

• Patients with lower LV-GLS showed significantly longer RWPT and QRS durations.
• RWPT independently predicted impaired LV-GLS (OR: 1.085, P < 0.001).
• ROC analysis yielded an AUC of 0.715 for RWPT (cutoff 45.5 ms).

Conclusions:

• RWPT is a practical and accessible ECG marker.
• RWPT can sensitively detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction in HT patients.