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Updated: Jul 31, 2026

A Rat Model of Pressure Overload Induced Moderate Remodeling and Systolic Dysfunction as Opposed to Overt Systolic Heart Failure
Published on: April 30, 2020
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.
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.
Background:
In hypertensive heart disease, it is uncertain whether the impairment of left ventricular (LV) systolic function might be reverted by antihypertensive treatment.
Hypothesis:
This study was undertaken to address the likelihood of recovery of LV dysfunction and to identify factors potentially related.
Methods:
Twenty-six patients with primary (n = 16) and renovascular (n = 10) hypertension participated in the study and were classified into Groups A (n = 12) and B (n = 14) according to normalization or persistent left ventricular dysfunction (fractional shortening < 0.30) after 36 weeks of follow-up. All patients received standard medical therapy and appropriate procedures for renovascular disease correction. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with recovery.
Results:
Patients in Group A compared with those in Group B were younger (41 +/- 14 vs. 52 +/- 10 years; p < 0.05), had a greater frequency of renovascular hypertension (8 vs. 2; p < 0.05), showed shorter LV end-diastolic (54 +/- 5 vs. 61 +/- 8 mm; p < 0.05) and end-systolic dimensions (41 +/- 6 vs. 49 +/- 9 mm; p < 0.05), and lower mass index (215 +/- 64 vs. 261 +/- 47 g.m-2; p < 0.05) before treatment, whereas fractional shortening (0.24 +/- 0.4 vs. 0.20 +/- 0.5; p > 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (116 +/- 12 vs. 122 +/- 19 mmHg; p > 0.05) were similar. On follow-up, Group A patients showed lower diastolic blood pressure (89 +/- 15 vs. 105 +/- 20 mmHg; p < 0.05) and mass index (142 +/- 34 vs. 222 +/- 40 g.m-2; p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified systolic dimension and renovascular hypertension as factors associated with fractional shortening normalization.
Conclusion:
The recovery of LV dysfunction is expected to occur most likely in patients with renovascular hypertension and the shortest systolic dimensions.
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