[The myocardial function of the left ventricle in hypertension based on data from radionuclide ventriculography].

Radionuclide ventriculography was used in 145 patients with stage I and II essential hypertension and in 20 healthy persons to investigate systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricular myocardium. Quantitative analysis of myocardial function was performed on the basis of indices of total and local contractility, cardiac output, time and rate values of contraction and filling. A decrease in total ejection fraction, rate values of contraction and filling combined with increased cardiac outputs was noted in stage II essential hypertension. An exercise tolerance test in some of these patients revealed signs of the limited myocardial reserve.