Abnormal left ventricular relaxation in hypertensive patients.

1. The maximum rates of left ventricular ejection and filling were derived (Fourier analysis) from the left ventricular volume curve (99m technetium-human serum albumin gated blood pool studies) in 12 normotensive subjects and 15 hypertensive patients of matched age groups. 2. Average values of cardiac output, ejection fraction, heart rate and left ventricular ejection rate were not significantly different in the two groups. 3. Hypertensive patients had a slower rate of left ventricular filling (P < 0.05), suggesting diminished left ventricular compliance in hypertension.