Echocardiographic assessment of hypertensive patients with or without hyperhomocysteinemia

Abstract

The study was designed to assess left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in hypertensive patients with or without Hhcy. The study participants consisted of 40 hypertensive patients with Hhcy, 40 hypertensive patients without Hhcy and 40 age-matched healthy control participants. Cardiac functions were determined using echocardiography and the Tei index was calculated for analysis. LAVI (left atrial volume index), IVST (interventricular septum thickness in diastole), PVST (posterior ventricular septum thickness in diastole), LVMI (left ventricular mass index), E/A (peak early and late diastolic transmitral filling flow velocities ratio), DT (deceleration time of the E wave), IRT (isovolumic relaxation time), and the Tei index were different in the hypertensive patient groups (hypertension with Hhcy and hypertension without Hhcy) compared with the controls. The Tei index was significantly higher in the hypertensive groups compared with the controls (0.62 ± 0.05, 0.51 ± 0.04, and 0.40 ± 0.04, respectively, p < 0.01). Significant differences were also observed between the hypertensive patients with Hhcy and the hypertensive patients without Hhcy regarding LAVI (25.6 ± 4.7 versus 22.9 ± 3.5 ml/m²), E/A (0.73 ± 0.22 versus 0.92 ± 0.14), DT (93.1 ± 6.9 versus 84.3 ± 8.1 ms), IRT (93.1 ± 6.9 versus 84.3 ± 8.1 ms) and the Tei index. Significant correlations were observed between serum homocysteine levels and LV diastolic function parameters (LAVI: r = 0.39, E/A: r = −0.32, DT: r = 0.47, IRT: r = 0.51, p < 0.05). We found that Hhcy had contributory effects on myocardial impairment induced by hypertension. Moreover, there were strong relationships between homocysteine level and LV diastolic dysfunction parameters.

• Hypertension
• hyperhomocysteinemia
• left ventricular function
• Tei index

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the personnel of the Cardiac Ultrasound Unit in Tongji Hosptial for their substantial assistance.