Association of Reduced Left Atrial Reserve With Exercise Intolerance and Outcome in Hypertension.

Background: Hypertensive heart disease (HHD) is a leading contributor to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, the mechanisms behind the transition to the symptomatic phase remain unclear.

Objectives: We sought to find the association of the exercise response of left atrial (LA) mechanical function with functional capacity, symptoms, and outcome across the heart failure (HF) spectrum in hypertension.

Contribution of reduced skeletal muscle perfusion reserve to exercise intolerance in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Background: Skeletal muscle (SM)-associated mechanisms of exercise intolerance in HFpEF are insufficiently defined, and inadequate augmentation of SM blood flow during physical effort may be one of the contributors. Therefore, we sought to investigate the association of SM perfusion response to exertion with exercise capacity in this clinical condition.

Methods: Echocardiography and SM microvascular perfusion by contrast-enhanced ultrasound were performed at rest and immediately post-exercise test in 77 HFpEF patients in NYHA class II and III, and in 25 subjects with normal exercise tolerance (stage B).

Association of arterial hemodynamics with left ventricular systolic function in hypertensive patients: A longitudinal study.

Background: Left ventricular (LV) systolic impairment, particularly in the longitudinal direction, is considered an early and sensitive marker of hypertensive heart disease and increased cardiovascular risk. The evidence indicates that aortic stiffness and central hemodynamic factors are important determinants of LV performance, mediating the interaction between the heart and vascular load. Despite the existence of cross-sectional analyses linking central blood pressure (BP) parameters with LV mechanics, no longitudinal data are available which include serial measurements in the course of antihypertensive treatment.

Prediction of AF in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Incremental Value of Left Atrial Strain.

Objectives: This study sought to identify the factors associated with incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in a well-characterized heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) population, with special focus on left atrial (LA) strain.

Background: AF is associated with HFpEF, with adverse consequences. Effective risk evaluation might allow the initiation of protective strategies.

Association of central blood pressure with left atrial structural and functional abnormalities in hypertensive patients: Implications for atrial fibrillation prevention.

Aims: Functional and structural abnormalities of the left atrium have been demonstrated to be clinically and prognostically significant in a range of cardiovascular disorders, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation. Among the potential contributors to these aberrations, central arterial factors remain insufficiently defined. Accordingly, we sought to investigate the determinants of left atrium abnormalities in hypertension, with special focus on central haemodynamics.