Introduction:

Dilation of the left atrium (LA) is considered an echocardiographic marker for atrial remodeling and atrial fibrillation. Therefore, we have investigated the correlation between dilatation of the IA with hemodynamic alterations of the left ventricle in patients with arterial hypertension.

Methodology:

In this observational and prospective study we have investigated electrocardiographic variations, echocardiographic measurements and Holter ECG of 24 hours in hypertensive patients who attend a tertiary hospital from March 2018 to September 2018 as outpatients and inpatients.

Results:

104 patients were studied, 65 known hypertensive patients and, 39 non-hypertensive as control group. The diameter of the AI ​​had a mean of 37 ± 8 in hypertensive patients, while in non-hypertensive patients the mean was 34 ± 5 ​​(p = 0.03). A significant association was found between hypertension and increased diameter of the LA (p = 0.04 OR: 2.6 CI 0.88-7.7). In hypertensive patients, a significant association was observed between the dilated left atrium and the decreased ejection fraction (p = 0.01 OR: 4.66 CI: 1.28-16.98). In addition, a significant association between dilated LA and the increased diastolic diameter of the LV (p = 0.0004 OR: 8.75 IC 2.18-35.01). A significant association was observed between the presence of dilated IA and the left ventricular systolic diameter increased in hypertensive patients (p = 0.006 OR: 5.74 CI 1.5-21.91).

Conclusion:

There was a significant relationship between arterial hypertension and dilatation of the left atrium. Hypertensive patients with dilatation of the IA had a significant increase in systolic and diastolic diameters of the left ventricle, as well as a significant decrease in systolic functionality of the left ventricle. Therefore, hypertensive patients who have dilation of the left atrium also had associated hemodynamic alterations of the left ventricle.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )