ATRIAL DISTURBANCES OF CARDIAC-RHYTHM IN HYPERTENSIVE DISEASE

A total of 57 males with Stage II hypertensive disease were studied to diagnose latent atrial disturbances of cardiac rhythm. Holter monitor ing showed that latent atrial arrhythmias were diagnosed in 82.4% of p atients. There was a significant correlation between the incidence of atrial arrhythmias and the left atrial dimension defined at echocardio graphy. A dilatation of the left atrium of greater than 4.0 cm serves a factor that predisposes to frequent atrial extrasystoles and atrial tachycardias. The electrical instability of a dilated left atrium was evidenced by diagnostic transesophageal cardiac pacing which readily i nduced persistent paroxysms of atrial fibrillations in patients with e nlarged left atrium. The simultaneous use of Holter monitoring and dia gnostic transesophageal cardiac pacing in the outpatient setting enhan ces their diagnostic value in detecting latent atrial arrhythmias in p atients with hypertensive disease.