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[Significance of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension]
1I. interná klinika FN a LF UK, Bratislava.
Insights
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertension patients significantly increases cardiovascular complications. Early detection of LVH is crucial for managing hypertensive disease course.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hypertension Research
- Diagnostic Markers
Background:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a potential indicator of cardiovascular (CV) complications in hypertension (HT).
- Evaluating the clinical significance of LVH in hypertensive patients is essential for risk stratification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical findings in hypertensive patients with and without echocardiographically defined LVH.
- To determine the association between LVH and the incidence of CV complications in hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of hospital records of hypertensive patients from 1995.
- LVH defined by echocardiography using the Penn convention (LVMI > 125 g/m2 for men, > 115 g/m2 for women).
- Comparison of CV complication rates between LVH-positive and LVH-negative groups.
Main Results:
- LVH was present in 72 patients (mean age 66) and absent in 38 (mean age 56).
- LVH-positive patients showed significantly higher rates of myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heart failure, ischemia, and mitral regurgitation.
- A trend towards increased renal failure, stroke, LV diastolic dysfunction, and aortic regurgitation was observed in LVH-positive patients.
Conclusions:
- LVH in hypertensive patients is associated with a more complicated disease course and increased CV complications.
- Patient age is a significant contributing factor to the development of complications.
- Routine assessment for LVH in hypertensive individuals is recommended to identify those at higher risk for adverse outcomes.
Abstract:
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is supposed to be a useful marker of cardiovascular (CV) complications during the course of hypertension (HT). To evaluate it, authors compared the clinical findings in hypertensive patients (pts) with and without LVH defined by echocardiography (echo). Hospital records of hypertensives treated in the 1st Medical Department during the year 1995 were analysed. LVH was defined by echo (Penn convention) as left ventricular mass index (LVMI) > 125 g/m2 in men and > 115 g/m2 in women. Presence of LVH was found in 72 pts (mean age 66 y), absence of LVH in 38 pts (mean age 56 y). There were statistically significant more CV complications in LVH-positive pts (incidence of myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, heart failure, ischemia (ECG), mitral regurgitation) as in LVH-negative. Tendency for other complications in LVH-positive pts (incidence of renal failure, stroke, LV diastolic dysfunction and aortic regurgitation) was also present. LVH-positive pts were about ten years older than the LVH-negative. In other risk factors (LVH and age not included) the both groups of pts were matched. LVH in pts with HT brings usually a complicated course of the disease. Age is an important contributing factor. Authors recommend to look after LVH presence in hypertensives as it carries much more complicated course of the disease.