Echocardiographic Assessment of LA Volume and Function in Hypertensive Patients

Background: Chronic cardio vascular disorders such as hypertension imparts a variety of structural changes in the cardiac chambers. Left Atrial Enlargement is one such marker due to the hypertensive heart diseases. This study aims to assess the Left Atrial volume and function among hypertensives. Objective: 1. To determine LA volume and LA function in Hypertensive patients.2. To estimate the prevalence of Left atrial Enlargement in Hypertensive patients and its significance. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 patients attending Out Patient Department of Cardiology, Stanley Medical College A tertiary care center in Tamilnadu. The study period was April June 2019. Patients with known case of hypertension and the newly detected hypertensives were subjected to 2 D Trans thoracic Echocardiographic Examination. Parameters such as Left Atrial (LA) volume, Left Ventricular (LV) wall thickness, LA Function, LV systolic and LV diastolic function are measured based on standard views. Multiple regression models were constructed to evaluate the independent contributions of factors on LA volume. Results: A total of 350 study participants were enrolled in the study as per the eligibility criteria. The mean age of the population was 49.10 12.3 years; range 30-78 years and 190 men were enrolled in the present study. The prevalence of Left Arterial Enlargement (LAE) among hypertensives was found to be 28.6 %. Left Atrial Volume Index (LAVi) showed a positive correlation with MAP (r=0.44, p