LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH PRESERVED EJECTION FRACTION

Authors

  • Anida Ferati Karemani Clinical Hospital Tetovo, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tetova, Tetovo, Republic of North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4243-5569 (unauthenticated)
  • Elizabeta Srbinovska Kostovska University Clinic for Cardiology, Skopje, North Macedonia Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius, University in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
  • Ardian Ferati University Clinic of Cardiology, Skopje, North Macedonia
  • Mentor Karemani Clinical Hospital Tetovo, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tetova, Tetovo, Republic of North Macedonia
  • Nexhbedin Abazi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53582/nn1nbk41

Keywords:

echocardiography; hypertension; left ventricular dysfunction; preserved ejection fraction;

Abstract

Introduction: Arterial hypertension is a significant public health problem, and the single greatest risk factor for heart failure at a population level.

Aim: The study goal was to evaluate the left ventricular dysfunction in patients with preserved EF and arterial hypertension with varying durations, in an attempt to detect latent impairment of LV systolic function.

Material and methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at the Public Health Clinical Hospital Tetovo, Republic of North Macedonia in the period 2024/2025. A total of 92 patients over 18 years of age with a diagnosis of arterial hypertension and preserved EF above 50% were selected.

Results: Out of 92 patients, 58 (63%) were males and 34 (37%) females. The average age was 56.34±8.36 years with a min/max of 40/68 years and 50% of patients aged ≤58 years, with no significant difference between the genders. Significantly worse values ​​were found for the echocardiographic parameters GLS (p=0.0003), RWT (p=0.00005), LVMI (p=0.00001), E/e’ratio (p=0.0015) and TEI index (p=0.0002) in patients from the group with atrial hypertension >5 years compared to those with hypertension duration ≤5 years. GLS significantly correlated with hypertension control, duration of hypertension and diabetes. No significant correlation was found between GLS and gender, age, and BMI.

Conclusion: The implementation of larger cohort studies for evaluation of the left ventricular dysfunction in patients with preserved ejection fraction (≥50%) and arterial hypertension with different durations will support the detection of latent impairment of LV systolic function, will identify high-risk patients and will allow timely intervention.

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Published

2026-06-18

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Original Articles