Normalization of left ventricular dysfunction in systemic hypertension

C Frimm C de1, A V de Moraes, C C Medeiros

  • 1Heart Institute, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil.

Clinical Cardiology
|June 30, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Antihypertensive treatment can reverse left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in some patients. Recovery is more likely in those with renovascular hypertension and smaller LV systolic dimensions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Hypertensive heart disease can impair left ventricular (LV) systolic function.
  • The reversibility of this impairment with antihypertensive treatment remains uncertain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the likelihood of LV dysfunction recovery in hypertensive patients.
  • To identify factors associated with the normalization of LV systolic function.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-six hypertensive patients (primary and renovascular) were followed for 36 weeks.
  • Patients were grouped based on LV dysfunction recovery (fractional shortening).
  • Logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with recovery.

Main Results:

  • Patients who recovered (Group A) were younger and more likely to have renovascular hypertension than those who did not (Group B).
  • Pre-treatment characteristics associated with recovery included shorter LV end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions and lower LV mass index.
  • Post-treatment, Group A showed lower diastolic blood pressure and LV mass index.

Conclusions:

  • Recovery of LV dysfunction is more probable in patients with renovascular hypertension.
  • Shorter LV systolic dimensions are a key factor associated with improved LV function post-treatment.
Abstract

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