Abstract:Objective:We aimed to assess the left atrial (LA) myocardial function using two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in hypertension patients with preserved LV ejection fraction and to explore the relationship between LV remodeling and LA function. Methods:The routing 2D echocardiography data sets were acquired of 102 hypertensive patients and 102 age and gender matched normal subjects. Preatrial contraction volume (LAVpreA), minimal LA volume (LAVmin) and maximal LA volume(LAVmax) were measured. LA EF[(LAVmax-LAVmin)/LAVmax],passive[(LAVmax-LAVpreA)/LAVmax] and active empty EF[(LAVpreA-LAVmin)/LAVpreA]were calculated. The LA strain during systole,early and late diastole(εs,εa and εe=εs-εa); srtrain rate(SRs,SRe and SRa) and velocity(Vs,Ve and Va) were analyzed by GE EchoPAC. Results:Global LA εs,εe,and εa,SRs,SRe and SRa as well as Vs,Ve and Va were significantly lower in patients than control group (P < 0.000 1,except εa,which the P was 0.006). The LAVmax,LAVpreA,LAVmin were significantly higher in patients than controls (P < 0.000 1),and empty EF was statistically lower in patients than normal (P < 0.05). The global LA 2DSTE parameters were significantly correlated with LA volumes and empty EF,which represented LA function. The global LA Ve/Va was significantly correlated LV mass index(r=-0.39,P < 0.000 1). Conclusion:Our results indicated that the LA volumes were increased and functions were decreased,which were related with LV remodeling in patients with hypertension.