Left ventricular hypertrophy in essential forms of systemic hypertension in children

The aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate left ventricular systolic function and hemodynamic indices in different patterns of left ventricular hypertrophy nad geometry in children with hypertensive disease. The study group consisted of 68 children (54 boys and 14 girls),mean age was 15.6 years,with mild or moderate forms of essential hypertension. The methods: Study was performed during the drug-free period. M-mode echocardiography performed according to the American Society of Echocardiography recommendations (Sahn et al. (1). Based on echocardiographic left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness patients were classified into:normal geometry(15 children), concentric remodeling (14 children), concentric hypertrophy (16 children), and eccentric hypertrophy (23 children. Results: End-systolic, end-diastolic and stroke volumes were highest in eccentric hypertrophy and lowest in concentric remodeling. End-diastolic volume/body surface area (preload) was highest in eccentric hypertrophy and lowest in concentric remodeling. The highest values of end-systolic stress (afterload) were noted in normal geometry and the lowest ones in concentric remodeling. Total peripheral resistance was highest in concentric remodeling and lowest in eccentric hypertrophy.