Coronary flow velocity reserve is diminished in hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy

Abstract

Background: Dipyridamole stress transesophageal echocardiography (STEE) is a feasible method for the evaluation of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFR).
Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate CFR in hypertensive patients with or without left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
Methods: The study comprised 73 patients with a negative coronary angiogram (29 men and 44 women). Three different groups were compared: normotensive patients, hypertensive patients without LVH and hypertensive patients with LVH.
Results: CFR was significantly decreased in patients with hypertension with LVH as compared to normotensive cases (2.19±0.50 vs 2.71±1.10; p<0.05). CFR of hypertensive patients without LVH was only slightly reduced as compared to normotensive cases (2.44±0.81 vs 2.71±1.10; p=ns). In hypertensive patients with LVH, the LV mass and LV mass index were inversely related to CFR (r = -0.481 and -0.477, p<0.05, respectively).
Conclusions: CFR is diminished in patients with hypertension. The degree of CFR reduction is related to the extent of LVH.