[Hypertensive cardiopathy: study of external tracings and noninvasive tests].

Hypertensive heart disease has been studied by means of the maximal exercise test, mechanographic techniques and echocardiography. The patients have been divided into three groups according to their electrocardiogram and the size of their heart as measured radiologically: I: normal ECG, normal size; II: ECG shows left atrial hypertrophy, heart of normal size; III: ECG shows left ventricular hypertrophy, heart is dilated. The total work on exercise decreases from group I to group III. The parameters of the pumping action (PEP/TEVG, VCF, FE) were identical in all three groups and were normal. The relationship A/H on the apexogram and the left ventricular mass/volume relationship on the echocardiogram increased from group I to group III. One possible interpretation of these findings suggests an alteration in diastolic compliance of the left ventricle in the early stages of hypertensive heart disease. The response to beta-blockers as measured on the echocardiogram also argue in favour of this theory.