Wave Intensity Analysis Can Identify Eccentric Cardiac Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Patients With Varied Left Ventricular Configurations

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether wave intensity can discriminate cases of eccentric hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension who have varied left ventricular configurations. METHODS: A total of 155 hypertensive patients with different ventricular configurations (27 normal configuration, 42 concentric remodeling, 62 concentric hypertrophy, and 24 eccentric hypertrophy) were recruited. We performed a noninvasive wave intensity analysis of the common carotid artery and conventional echocardiography. Blood pressure and flow velocity were measured in the right carotid artery of all patients. RESULTS: The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in the eccentric hypertrophy group was significantly lower than the values in the other groups (P < .05). The R-W1 interval/W1-W2 interval ratio (where W1 indicates the first positive peak and W2 the second positive peak) in the eccentric hypertrophy group was much higher than the values in the other groups (P < .05). However, there were no significant differences in W1, W2, and negative area among these groups. Pearson correlation analysis showed that R-W1/W1-W2, R-W1, and W1-W2were correlated with the LVEF, whereas there was no correlation between W1, W2, negative area, and the reflection coefficient with the LVEF. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that by using the R-W1/W1-W2 ratio, wave intensity analysis can identify hypertensive patients with eccentric hypertrophy without the need for echocardiography.