Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Evaluation of Coronary Flow Reserve After Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion in Rats
06:32

Evaluation of Coronary Flow Reserve After Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion in Rats

Published on: June 28, 2019

Coronary flow reserve in hypertensive patients with appropriate or inappropriate left ventricular mass

Maurizio Galderisi1, Giovanni de Simone, Silvana Cicala

  • 1Cardiology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Federico II University Hospital, Naples, Italy. mgalderi@unina.it

Journal of Hypertension
|November 5, 2003
PubMed

Insights

In hypertensive patients, excessive left ventricular mass (LVM) significantly reduces coronary flow reserve (CFR). This association persists independently of LV hypertrophy, highlighting LVM excess as a key factor in hypertension-related cardiac dysfunction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research
  • Echocardiography

Background:

  • Arterial hypertension often leads to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
  • The relationship between excessive left ventricular mass (LVM) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) in hypertensive patients without coronary artery disease requires further elucidation.
  • Compensatory mechanisms in hypertension can be overwhelmed, impacting cardiac function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between coronary flow reserve (CFR) and left ventricular mass (LVM) exceeding compensatory needs in patients with arterial hypertension.
  • To determine if an excess of LVM, beyond predicted compensatory values, correlates with impaired CFR.
  • To differentiate the impact of inappropriate LVM from generalized LV hypertrophy on CFR.

Main Methods:

  • Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography was used to measure CFR in the left anterior descending artery.
  • 40 hypertensive outpatients without coronary heart disease were evaluated.
  • Patients were categorized based on LVM relative to predicted values (appropriate vs. inappropriately high LVM).

Main Results:

  • Patients with inappropriately high LVM exhibited lower CFR compared to those with appropriate LVM (P < 0.002).
  • A negative correlation was found between the extent of excess LVM and CFR (beta = -0.44, P < 0.005), independent of age, BMI, and blood pressure.
  • Inappropriate LVM was a stronger predictor of CFR impairment than the presence of LV hypertrophy (P < 0.004 vs. P = 0.057).

Conclusions:

  • In hypertensive individuals without coronary artery disease, increased LVM beyond compensatory levels is linked to reduced CFR.
  • This association is independent of the presence of LV hypertrophy, suggesting excess LVM is a critical factor.
  • Excessive LVM plays a significant role in the hemodynamic alterations affecting coronary circulation in hypertension.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice06:39

Ultrasound Based Assessment of Coronary Artery Flow and Coronary Flow Reserve Using the Pressure Overload Model in Mice

Published on: April 13, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction01:20

Mitral Regurgitation I: Introduction

Mitral regurgitation is characterized by the backward circulation of blood from the left ventricle to the left atrium during systole, a phase of the cardiac cycle when the heart contracts and pumps blood out of the chambers. This abnormal flow occurs primarily due to the dysfunction of the mitral valve or its supporting structures, which include the mitral leaflets, chordae tendineae, annulus, and papillary muscles.Etiology and Mechanisms:Primary Mitral Regurgitation: This type arises from...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Cardiac Output and Stroke Volume01:11

Cardiac Output and Stroke Volume

Cardiac output (CO) is an integral aspect of human physiology, reflecting the heart's efficiency and responsiveness to the body's needs. It represents the volume of blood that the left or right ventricle ejects into the aorta or pulmonary trunk each minute. The CO is calculated by multiplying the heart rate (HR)—the number of heartbeats per minute—by the stroke volume (SV)—the amount of blood pumped out with each heartbeat.
In an average resting adult male, the typical cardiac output averages...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...