Аrterial stiffness and diastolic function of the left ventricle in patients with arterial hypertension and frailty

Introduction. Increased arterial stiffness is one of the key links in the formation of cardiovascular pathology in older age groups. At the same time, the effect of vascular stiffness on myocardial function in cardiac patients with frailty remains insufficiently studied.Aim of study. Тo analyze the data of arterial stiffness and diastolic function of left ventricle (LV) in patients older than 65 years with arterial hypertension and frailty.Materials and methods. The study included 90 outpatient and inpatient patients older than 65 years with the presence of arterial hypertension. All patients were divided into two groups: with the presence and absence of frailty. To identify frailty, we used the questionnaire “Age is not a hindrance”, a short battery of physical activity tests. Methods of volumetric sphygmometry, echocardiography, including tissue Doppler were used. The obtained data were analyzed using a package of statistical programs.Results. The results of a comparative simultaneous non-randomized descriptive study of two groups of patients are presented. The study found that the systolic function, diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle by the type of slowing down of LV relaxation in both groups did not significantly differ in their indicators. In the group of patients with frailty, LV diastolic dysfunction was significantly more often detected by the type of pseudonormalization – with an increase in filling pressure. When analyzing data of arterial stiffness, differences were obtained in both groups in the left cardio-ankle vascular index (LCAVI), systolic blood pressure (LB SAD), pulse pressure (LB PD) in the left shoulder area, and the delta of average blood pressure in the left ankle area (LA% IDA), which were significantly higher in patients with frailty.Conclusion. In the group of patients with hypertension older than 65 years with frailty, a violation of the LV diastolic function by the type of pseudonormalization with an increase in filling pressure prevails. An increase in filling pressure in the group of patients older than 65 years with hypertension and the presence of frailty is associated with an increase in the complex of indicators characterizing arterial stiffness – the cardio-ankle vascular index, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure in the left shoulder area, the delta of average blood pressure in the left ankle area.