EARLY SCREENING USING ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY TO ASSESS LEFT VENTRICULAR REMODELING IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS AT HAIL CARDIAC CENTRE, SAUDI ARABIA

Abstract

Background: Hypertension is a major global public health issue and a leading risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Early detection of left ventricular (LV) remodeling is essential to prevent progression to heart failure. Echocardiography, including advanced techniques such as Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS), provides detailed insights into subclinical myocardial dysfunction that may not be detected by conventional parameters. Objectives: This study aimed to assess early markers of LV remodeling among hypertensive patients at Hail Cardiac Centre, Saudi Arabia, and to evaluate the role of GLS compared with conventional measures such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 341 hypertensive adult patients (aged 18–69 years) attending Hail Cardiac Centre between 2023 and 2024. Demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic data were collected, including LVEF, LVMI, relative wall thickness (RWT), and GLS using speckle-tracking echocardiography. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the association between hypertension-related variables and LV remodeling indices. Results: The mean age of patients was 53.2 ± 10.8 years, with a nearly equal distribution of males and females. LVEF values were within the normal range in most patients; however, GLS revealed subclinical dysfunction in some cases despite preserved LVEF, demonstrating its sensitivity for early detection of hypertensive-related changes. A considerable proportion of patients also exhibited increased LVMI and RWT, reflecting structural remodeling. GLS showed stronger associations with clinical variables compared to LVEF, underscoring its diagnostic significance. Conclusion: Echocardiographic evaluation of hypertensive patients demonstrates that conventional measures such as LVEF may appear normal, whereas GLS can uncover subtle dysfunction at an earlier stage. Incorporating GLS alongside LVMI in routine echocardiographic screening may improve early detection of LV remodeling and support timely clinical interventions in hypertensive patients. Remodeling, Subclinical Dysfunction.