DIASTOLIC LEFT-VENTRICULAR FUNCTION IN PA TIENTS WITH MILD AND MODERATE HYPERTENSION - LIQUIDATORS OF THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR-POWER STATION ACCIDENT

Diastolic left ventricular function was studied by doppler-echocardiog raphy in 25 healthy persons (control group) and 40 patients with mild and moderate hypertension including 28 liquidators of the Chernobyl nu clear power station accident. Groups of ''nonliquidators'' and liquida tors were well matched for age, sex and blood pressure levels, Patient s with hypertension including liquidators had such manifestations of d iastolic left ventricular dysfunction as disturbances of relaxation, l owering of transmitral flow velocity during early diastole and augment ation of contribution of atrial systole to the structure of diastolic left ventricular filling. These manifestations were more pronounced in liquidators who also had greater left ventricular myocardial mass.