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Possible Beneficial Effect of Olmesartan Medoxomil on Left Atrial Function in Patients with Hypertension

Noninvasive Assessment by Acoustic Quantification

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Abstract

Background and objective: Hypertension alters the diastolic properties of the left ventricle and results in deterioration in the structure and function of the left atrium. We aimed to evaluate whether olmesartan medoxomil has an effect on left atrial function in hypertensive patients.

Methods: Fifty hypertensive patients and 20 controls were included in the study. Hypertensive patients were treated with olmesartan medoxomil for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, study participants were examined by acoustic quantification and tissue Doppler imaging. Left atrial reservoir function was assessed by end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), reservoir volume (RV) and peak filling rate (PFR). Left atrial booster pump function was assessed by atrial emptying volume (AEV), atrial emptying fraction (AEF) and peak atrial emptying rate (PAER). Left atrial conduit function was assessed by rapid emptying volume (REV), rapid emptying fraction (REF), REV/AEV ratio, and the ratio of peak rapid emptying rate and PAER (PRER/PAER).

Results: Atrial RV and PFR were significantly increased in hypertensive subjects (48.30 ± 19.28 mL vs 34.35 ± 14.26 mL, p < 0.001; 267.26 ± 126.52 mL/s vs 206.81 ± 107.17 mL/s, p < 0.05) compared with controls, while the REV/AEV ratio was decreased in hypertensive patients compared with controls (2.86 ± 0.85 vs 3.69 ± 2.13, p < 0.001). After therapy with olmesartan medoxomil, atrial RV (48.30 ± 19.28 mL vs 40.50 ± 17.59 mL) and PFR decreased (267.26 ± 126.52 mL/s vs 220.40 ± 108.56 mL/s, p < 0.05) and the REV/AEV ratio increased (2.86 ± 0.85 vs 3.14 ± 0.43, p < 0.05) in hypertensive patients.

Conclusion: Our novel findings indicate that left atrial function is impaired in hypertensive patients, and that olmesartan medoxomil can improve left atrial function in this context. Our study also showed that acoustic quantification is useful for non-invasive evaluation of the benefits of treatment on left atrial function.

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Acknowledgements

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this study. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Department of Cardiology, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Health, QiLu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, No. 107 West Wenhua Road, 250012, China

    Hui-Ping Gong, Wei Zhang, Li Li, Hong-Wei Tan, Zhi-Yong Ma, Xue-Zhen Zhong, Zhi-Hao Wang, Tao Song, Yun Zhang &  Ming Zhong

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  1. Hui-Ping Gong
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  2. Wei Zhang
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  3. Li Li
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Correspondence to Ming Zhong.

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Gong, HP., Zhang, W., Li, L. et al. Possible Beneficial Effect of Olmesartan Medoxomil on Left Atrial Function in Patients with Hypertension. Clin. Drug Investig. 28, 241–249 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2165/00044011-200828040-00005

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