Background: Hypertension causes changes on the cardiac performance, and this effect is more
profound on the LV where systolic high pressure is present.
Patients and Methods: We studied 30 patients (14 females and 16 males of average age of
54.8±13.5) with hypertension and 20 normal individuals, the control group (age range 45.6±17.8, 11
females and 9 males). Measurements of early filling velocity E, late filling velocity A at atrial
contraction and ejection fraction were taken, also isovolumetric relaxation, and contraction times
and ejection times were taken. MPI myocardial performance index was calculated.
Results: Results shows a significant increase in the isovolumetric relaxation time IRT (30%),were
IRT for the patients group was(105.4±20.8)compared to(73±6.86) for the normal group. The late
velocity A (42%), were A for the patients group was (89.28±18) compared to (51.1±18) for the
normal group. Ejection time ET (26%), were ET (438.2±88) for the patients group compared to
(324±34) for the normal group. And the ratio A/E (41%), were A/E for patients group (1.33)
compared to (0.78) for the normal group. While no significant change was observed on ejection
fraction (EF %), isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), early velocity E, and myocardial
performance index (MPI).
Conclusion: Diastolic function impairment was found to occur earlier than systolic function
impairment in hypertensive patients.
