Introduction: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is suspected when a patient presents with a clinical diagnosis of heart failure despite a preserved ejection fraction. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients of LVDD. In this study, we aimed to compared the clinical characteristics and echocardiographic findings of LVDD patients with and without LVH.

Methodology: LVDD patients at our centre diagnosed with and without LVH were included in the study. LVDD was defined by the abnormal relaxation patterns of Doppler mitral inflow and tissue Doppler. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic parameters were compared between LVH and non­LVH patients with LVDD.

Results: 50 patients of LVH and non­LVH LVDD were included. Age and systolic blood pressure were found to be significantly higher among the LVH group, while mean heart rate and total cholesterol were found to be significantly lower among LVH patients. Mean left ventricular mass index (121.46±19.32 vs 74.93±11.54 gm/m2), p value <0.001), left atrium size (3.82±0.82 vs 3.57±0.34 cm, p value < 0.001), relative wall thickness (0.59±0.11 vs 0.53±0.16, p value < 0.05), filling pressure (16.85±5.21 vs 15.01±4.32 mm of Hg, p value < 0.05) and Tei index (0.59±0.16 vs 0.51±0.11, p value < 0.05) were found to be significantly higher among patients with LVH.

Conclusions: Coexistence of LVH and LVDD can increase the mortality manifold and thus early identification by echocardiography may prompt close monitoring and aggressive management.