Subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography and its relation to ambulatory arterial stiffness index in hypertensive patients.

Background: Increased arterial stiffness is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among hypertensive patients.

Objectives: To assess the relationship between ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) and subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction assessed by 2-D speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE).

Methods: We enrolled 70 consecutive patients with hypertension.