The authors assessed, using Doppler echocardiography under standard conditions, indicators of left ventricular filling in 95 patients, mean age 52 years, with arterial hypertension of varying severity. The patients were divided into four groups: Group I--Patients with severe hypertension and concentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle (LV). Group II--Patients with severe hypertension without organ changes. Group III--Patients with mild hypertension without organ changes. Group IV--Patients with severe hypertension, hypertrophy of the LV and signs of its failure grade II according to Killip's classification. The results were compared with findings in a group of 30 normal subjects of similar age. In all groups of patients statistically significant differences were found in the type of left ventricular filling, as compared with normal subjects. In less severe affection of left ventricular function, where impaired active relaxation of musculature predominates (groups I, II and III), the left ventricular filling during early diastole was reduced, slower and its main part was shifted to the late stage of diastole. The ratio of the late and early flow rate through the mitral orifice Av/Ev and the ration of time/rate integrals of these rates, TVIA/TVIE, were elevated, as compared with normal subjects, similarly as the time value of retardation of early diastolic flow through the mitral orifice corrected with regard to the heart rate, DT/TF. The value of maximal flow through the mitral orifice during early diastole, PFRB was reduced.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)