The influence of hyperhomocysteinemia on left ventricular diastolic function in Chinese patients with hypertension

Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in Chinese patients with essential hypertension. Patients and methods. A total of 74 patients with hypertension were enrolled in the present study and were divided into two groups according to the plasma levels of Hcy: high levels of Hcy (Hhcy) group (n= 37) and control group (n= 37) with normal levels of homocysteine. The study participants consisted of 37 hypertensive patients with Hhcy and 37 hypertensive patients without Hhcy. Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography was performed to assess the LV diastolic function of the patients. Results. The plasma level of Hcy was directly related to LV diastolic echocardiographic parameters in patients with hypertension whereby the ratio E/e' was higher (12.7+/-2.64 vs. 8.98+/-1.55, p< 0.01), e'/a' was lower (0.59+/-0.13 vs. 0.83+/-0.20, p< 0.01), and the left atrial (LA) diameter was longer (43.4+/-3.6 mm vs. 37.6+/-5.0 mm, p< 0.01) in the Hhcy group than in the control group. Conclusion. The LV diastolic function was significantly deteriorated in Chinese hypertensive patients with Hhcy and there were significant correlations between LV diastolic function indices and Hcy levels.