Wave Intensity Analysis Can Identify Eccentric Cardiac Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients With Varied Left Ventricular Configurations

Objectives-The primary aim of this study was to determine whether wave intensity can discriminate cases of eccentric hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension who have varied left ventricular configurations. Methods-A total of 155 hypertensive patients with different ventricular configurations (27 normal configuration, 42 concentric remodeling 62 concentric hypertrophy, and 24 eccentric hypertrophy) were recruited. We performed a noninvasive wave intensity analysis of the common carotid artery and conventional echocardiography. Blood pressure and flow velocity were measured in the right carotid artery of all patients. Results-The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the eccentric hypertrophy group was significantly lower than the values in the other groups (P < .05). The R-W-1 interval/W-1-W-2 interval ratio (where W-1 indicates the first positive peak and W-2 the second positive peak) in the eccentric hypertrophy group was much higher than the values in the other groups (P < .05). However, there were no significant differences in W-1, W-2, and negative area among these groups. Pearson correlation analysis showed that R-W-1/W-1-W-2, R-W-1, and W-1-W-2 were correlated with the LVEF, whereas there was no correlation between W-1, W-2, negative area, and the reflection coefficient with the LVEF. Conclusions-We propose that by using the R-W-1/W-1-W-2 ratio, wave intensity analysis can identify hypertensive patients with eccentric hypertrophy without the need for echocardiography.