LEFT-VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN YOUNG MEN WITH HIGH NORMAL BLOOD-PRESSURE

OBJECTIVE: Abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling ha ve been reported in hypertensive patients. This study was designed to compare LV diastolic filling between individuals with high normal bloo d pressure (HNBP) and optimal blood pressure (OBP). SUBJECTS AND DESIG N: From a survey of 219 young male individuals (age 21+/-0.1 years), t wo groups were selected according to their BP (group A: systolic BP [S BP] 120 mmHg and diastolic BP [DBP] 80 mmHg, n=23 and group B: SBP 130 to 139 mmHg and/or DBP 85 to 89 mmHg, n=21). Subjects' habits, anthro pometric characteristics, LV structure and systolic and diastolic func tion were compared. RESULTS: No differences were detected between the two groups in habits, systolic function or early diastole. LV mass ind ex (LVMI) was higher in group B (103.6+/-4.58 g/m(2) versus 90.49+/-3. 27 g/m(2) in group A, P<0.05), though the values were not high enough to indicate LV hypertrophy. The pattern of LV late filling was differe nt between the two groups. The peak late diastolic flow velocity (A) w as 0.45+/-0.02 m/s in group B and 0.52+/-0.03 m/s in group A (P<0.05). The early peak velocity (E):A ratio was 1.82+/-0.08 in group A and 1. 59+/-0.08 in group B (P<0.05). The early filling fraction also demonst rated a significant shift to more prominent late diastolic filling in group B (0.68+/-0.01% versus 0.73+/-0.01% in group A, P<0.05). This pa ttern in LV filling did not correlate to inheritance, age, sex, heart rate, habits or body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: This shift in filling pa ttern to a late flow in young men with HNBP seemed to be an early indi cator of an increased dependence of LV filling on atrial contraction a nd may reflect an impairment in LV relaxation.