Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
10:03

Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Experimental Models of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Published on: June 27, 2025

Patterns of left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension: should echocardiography guide the pharmacological

Diego F Dávila1, Jose H Donis, Rodolfo Odreman

  • 1Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares. Universidad de Los Andes. Mérida, Venezuela. diegod@ula.ve

International Journal of Cardiology
|May 1, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Essential hypertension treatment is complex because patients vary. Echocardiography reveals distinct cardiac adaptations, concentric and eccentric hypertrophy, impacting drug response. Tailoring treatment to ventricular geometry improves outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Essential hypertension patient populations are heterogeneous.
  • Cardiovascular adaptation to hypertension exhibits structural and functional variability.
  • Echocardiography can characterize this heterogeneity, specifically ventricular hypertrophy patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate distinct hemodynamic, neurohormonal, and therapeutic profiles associated with different patterns of cardiac adaptation in hypertensive patients.
  • To determine if ventricular geometry influences the response to antihypertensive medications.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized echocardiography to classify hypertensive patients based on left ventricular geometry (concentric vs. eccentric hypertrophy).
  • Assessed hemodynamic parameters (stroke volume, peripheral vascular resistance) and neurohormonal profiles (plasma renin, sympathetic activity).
  • Evaluated therapeutic responses to angiotensin II antagonists (losartan) and beta-adrenergic blockers (atenolol).

Main Results:

  • Concentric hypertrophy featured an elliptic ventricle, normal stroke volume, high resistance, elevated renin/natriuretic peptides, and responded well to losartan.
  • Eccentric hypertrophy showed a spheric ventricle, increased stroke volume, low resistance, low renin, high sympathetic activity, and was refractory to losartan and atenolol.
  • Significant differences in drug efficacy were observed between the two geometric patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Ventricular geometry is a critical factor in hypertensive patients' heterogeneity.
  • Cardiac adaptation patterns, specifically hypertrophy type, significantly influence antihypertensive drug efficacy.
  • Personalizing hypertension treatment based on echocardiographic findings may optimize therapeutic outcomes.

More Related Videos

Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subxiphoid-Only Examination for Hypotensive Patients08:45

Echocardiographic Assessment Using Subxiphoid-Only Examination for Hypotensive Patients

Published on: April 18, 2025

Pulsed Wave Doppler Assessment of Diastolic Dysfunction in the ZSF-1 Rat Model of Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease08:57

Pulsed Wave Doppler Assessment of Diastolic Dysfunction in the ZSF-1 Rat Model of Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease

Published on: May 22, 2026

Related Concept Videos

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...
Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
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...
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care01:29

Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care

Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
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...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...