LONGITUDINAL SYSTOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY WITH
NORMAL EJECTION FRACTION
Abstract
Background: The left ventricle (LV) journey in their transition from
hypertrophy to heart failure is marked by many subcellular events
partially understood yet. The moment in which the structural
abnormalities reach the umbral to induce myocardial dysfunction remains
elusive. Aims: To evaluate the anatomic-functional relationship between
LV wall thickness and longitudinal systolic dysfunction. Material and
Methods: We prospectively performed clinical history and transthoracic
echocardiogram on healthy individuals and patients with hypertension,
left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50%, and absence of heart
failure symptoms. Results: A total of 226 patients and 101 healthy
individuals were recruited. The distribution for sex was similar between
groups. The mean age was 67±13 years old in the patients, and 44% had
concentric LV hypertrophy. LVEF was identical in both groups (63±6%);
in contrast, global longitudinal strain (GLS) (-18.8±2.5% vs.
-20.4±2%) and mitral annulus plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) (13.8±2.8
vs. 15.5±2mm) were lower. ROC curve classified optimally decreased GLS
with LV septum thickness ≥13mm and decreased MAPSE with thickness ≥14mm.
Multivariable logistic regression found that LV septum thickness is the
only variable associated with longitudinal systolic dysfunction (OR=
1.1, CI95%= 1.05 – 1.15, p= 0.001, R squared= 0.38). Discussion: A
progressive increase in LV wall thickness due to myocyte hypertrophy and
interstitial expansion is associated with LV systolic longitudinal
dysfunction. Conclusions: Patients with moderate or severe ventricular
hypertrophy (septum ≥13mm) had longitudinal systolic dysfunction, GLS
decreases with minor structural change than MAPSE, and LVEF is
insensitive in detecting longitudinal myocardial dysfunction in patients
with hypertension.