Structural and functional changes of the myocardium in patients with essential hypertension

In order to study structural and functional changes of the myocardium in es sential hypertension and factors responsible for their development 100 pati ents (age 18-59 years, mean 46,2+/-1,0 years) were examined by echocardiogr aphy with evaluation of left ventricular mass, systolic and diastolic funct ion. It was found that the state of myocardium in hypertension was characte rized by both left ventricular hypertrophy and remodeling. Eccentric left v entricular hypertrophy prevailed in mild while concentric hypertrophy and c oncentric remodeling - in moderate hypertension. Both left ventricular stru cture and function were related to blood pressure level especially to its 2 4-hour pattern. The state of left ventricular diastolic function depended o n the severity of its structural changes.