Abstract: The objective was to investigate the relationship between pulse pressure (PP) and left ventricular function in patients with essential hypertension. 24 h ambulatory blood pressure were monitored, and two-dimensional echocardiography were examined in 555 initially untreated patients (275 men and 280 women), aged (47.1± 12.7) years. The patients were divided into four groups according to ambulatory pulse pressure (PP) respectively: Group A: PP≤5.32 kPa(40 mmHg); Group B: 5.45 kPa(41 mmHg)≤PP≤6.65 kPa(50 mmHg); Group C: 6.78 kPa(51 mmHg)≤PP≤7.98 kPa(60 mmHg); Group D: PP≥8.11 kPa(61 mmHg). Results: With increased ambulatory pulse pressure, left ventricular diastolic function decreased. It was manifested as increased ratio of peak flow velocity of atrial contraction to early diastole (A/E) and prolonged early diastolic filling period (EDFP). There were no changes in systolic function with increased pulse pressure. The results show that increased pulse pressure induces decreased left diastolic ventricular function in patients with essential hypertension.

Key words: essential hypertension, pulse pressure, left ventricular diastolic function