LEFT-VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN HYPERTENSION

Abnormalities of left ventricular diastolic function in hypertension are multifactorial in origin. Of importance is the demonstration that abnormalities of left ventricular filling in hypertension may be accompanied by deleterious cardiovascular neurodynamic regulations. However, the left ventricular filling rate can be normalized during medical treatment of hypertension. In particular, regression of left ventricular hypertrophy is almost always associated with or followed by improvement of left ventricular filling. The effects of this normalization on cardiovascular dynamics and the outcome of hypertensive heart disease are yet to be demonstrated.