Objective To assess the effects of irbesartan on left ventricular remodeling and function in spontaneously hypertensive rats
by quantitative tissue velocity imaging.Methods 20 twelve-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly assigned to two groups;SHR group(n=10) and IRB group(n=10),10 twelve-week-old male Wistar Kyoto rats were as control group.Rats in IRB group was given a daily dose of 50 mg/kg irbesartan for 12weeks by gavage,and echocardiographic scan was performed in each group 12 weeks later.Results Commpared with WKY group,the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and end-diastolic volume in SRH group were both significantly decreased(P<0.05).The left ventricular relative mass were significantly increased(P<0.01).the parameters of diastolic in SHR group including The E/A ratio E peak descending velocity were all significantly increased(P<0.05).The peak longitudinal velocity of systole and diastole in SHR group at mitral annulus and segments of left ventricular lateral wall were significantly decreased.(P<0.05).However,the ejection fraction in SHR group were not decreased obviously(P>0.05).Commpared with SHR group,the parameters all about in irbesartan group were significantly improved.Conclusion Irbesartan has beneficial effects on preventing left ventricular remodeling and improving left ventricular function.Using quantitative tissue velocity imaging combined with two-dimensional echocardiography,the effects can be assessed comprehensively,accurately and quantitively.