Cardiologie clinique et expérimentale
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Abstrait

The Role of Echocardiography in Hypertension

Catirli Enar Sibel

Systemic hypertension leads to hypertensive heart disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a result of chronic systemic pressure overload. Although systolic function is preserved in early stages, it deteriorates gradually. LVH is symmetrical in hypertension. LVH causes different changes in longitudinal, radial and circumferential mechanics in patients with hypertensive patients. Longitudinal strain is significantly decreased, while radial strain is increased.

Left atrial (LA) dilatation is commonly seen in hypertensive patients. Also, LA strain values are lower in hypertensive patients when compared to normal, irrespective to the presence of LA enlargement or LVH. In addition, LVH may cause early sub clinical RV dysfunction as well.

According to the most recent guidelines, it is stated that initiation or monitoring the response to antihypertensive response is based on clinical parameters. However, periodic evaluation of cardiac function and morphology by echocardiography are necessary because of the progressive characteristics of hypertensive cardiomyopathy.