Left ventricular geometry and myocardial contractility in patients with essential hypertension evaluated by myocardial velocity profile

Background: Left ventricular (LV) systolic function in the hypertensive heart has been evaluated considering geometric differences. The maximal systolic myocardial velocity gradient (G(max)) obtained from myocardial velocity profile can evaluate regional myocardial contractility. The purpose of this study was to assess LV myocardial contractility in the hypertensive heart using G(max) regarding geometric differences. Methods. The study included 93 patients with essential hypertension. G(max) was correlated with relative wall thickness and LV mass index. LV myocardial contractility was assessed by classifying patients into normal geometry, concentric remodeling (CR), eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric hypertrophy (CH). Results. G(max) has shown significant negative relationship with LV end-diastolic dimension. LV end-diastolic dimension in CH and eccentric hypertrophy groups was significantly greater than that in normal geometry and CR groups (CH vs CR, 4.9 vs 4.2 cm, P <.001). LV mass index was significantly greater in CH and eccentric hypertrophy groups than in the other groups (CH vs CR, 196 vs 122 g/m(2), P <.001). Although there was no difference in relative wall thickness between CH and CR groups, G(max) was significantly smaller in CH than in CR group (1.8 vs 2.8 s(-1), P <.05). Conclusions: In patients with essential hypertension, LV myocardial contractility worsened corresponding to increase in IV dimension with similar wall thickness. G(max). obtained from myocardial velocity profile detected depressed myocardial contractility in patients with increased LV dimension.