Echocardiographic features and QT dispersion in borderline isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly

The aim of our study was to examine the structure of left ventricle, diastolic filling indexes and QT dispersion in elderly patients (aged 60 years and over) with borderline isolated systolic hypertension in a population screening program and to compare them with age matched controls. One hundred and four subjects (66 female, 38 male, mean age 66±5) and 110 normotensive age and sex matched controls (64 female, 46 male, mean age 66±5) were included in the study. Echocardiographic features of left ventricle, left atrium and cardiac valves, diastolic filling indexes and QT dispersion in 12 lead electrocardiographic examination were studied. In borderline hypertensive elderly, left ventricular hypertrophy was a more frequent finding compared with the controls (33% versus 15% respectively). Diastolic filling indexes were impaired, presence of left atrial enlargement and cardiac valve calcification were also more frequent in the patients group. In the electrocardiographic examination, the duration of QT and corrected QT interval and dispersion of QT and QTc were significantly prolonged compared with the controls. It is concluded that patients with borderline isolated systolic hypertension have more unfavourable echocardiographic and electrocardiographic findings compared with the normotensive elderly and especially those with end organ damage should be treated as defined for isolated systolic hypertension.