Left Atrial Enlargement is an Early Signs of Hypertensive Heart Disease | AJBSR

Systemic hypertension often leads to left ventricular hypertrophy, congestive heart failure and death [1]. How to identify the early signs of hypertensive heart is the key to block or reverse the process of heart failure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the predictive value of left atrial (LA) enlargement in the early stage of hypertensive heart disease and to explore the correlation between LA enlargement and heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFnEF). Method: This is case control study of 52 patients admitted to the hospital, 26 patients with history of hypertension (case subject) and 26 without history of hypertension were included as (Control subject). All participant underwent the standard examination and testing as well as Echocardiography (measurement of left atrial dimension, Ejection fraction, left atrial volume, mitral inflow, Left ventricle mass). Patient with valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation or coronary disease were excluded. Result: The mean age was 69±18 year in the hypertensive patients and 66±17 year in control group. The LA dimension of hypertensive group (38±5.2) was significantly greater than control group (34.5±3.4); P<0.001) LAV and LAVI were significantly higher in hypertensive group than control group (55.5±15.5 vs 41.7±13.8 , P<0.001 28.5±7.2 vs 22.2 , P<0.001 respectively). LVM and LVMI were significantly higher in hypertensive group than in control group (174±46 vs 150±31 g, P<0.0001, 106 ±24 vs 95±16, P=0.001). Conclusion: We conclude that Echocardiographic LA enlargement may be an early sign of hypertensive heart disease in patient with no other clear cause of left atrial enlargement