RIGHT-VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN E SSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

Diastolic function of the right and left ventricle was examined by Dop pler-echocardiography in 40 patients with essential hypertension in co mparison to control subjects of identical age. In hypertensive patient s the ratio VENA of early and late diastolic filling velocities was fo und significantly reduced for right ventricular (1.04 +/- 0.19 vs 1.22 +/- 0.17) as well as left ventricular (1.04 +/- 0.16 vs 1.30 +/- 0.23 ) filling. So the hemodynamic changes of hypertensive heart disease ar e characterized by a diastolic dysfunction of the right just as of the left ventricle.