Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 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

Left ventricular geometry, ambulatory blood pressure and extra-cardiac organ damage in untreated essential

Cesare Cuspidi1, Valentina Giudici, Francesca Negri

  • 1Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy. cesare.cuspidi@unmib.it

Blood Pressure Monitoring
|March 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Left ventricular (LV) geometric patterns in hypertension correlate with blood pressure (BP) levels and organ damage. Concentric LV hypertrophy indicates higher BP and increased vascular and renal damage, serving as a key cardiovascular risk marker.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hypertension Research
  • Cardiovascular Imaging

Background:

  • Limited data exists on left ventricular (LV) geometric patterns, updated criteria, blood pressure (BP), and extra-cardiac organ damage (OD) in hypertension.
  • This study investigates the relationship between LV geometry, ambulatory BP, and markers of vascular and renal OD in untreated essential hypertensives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between LV geometric patterns, ambulatory BP levels, and subclinical organ damage.
  • To determine if LV geometry serves as a marker of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Categorized 669 hypertensives into four groups based on LV geometric patterns using sex-specific criteria and relative wall thickness (RWT) of 0.42.
  • Utilized 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring to derive BP variables.
  • Performed multivariate analysis to identify independent correlates of RWT.

Main Results:

  • Lower BP associated with normal LV geometry; higher BP with concentric LV hypertrophy (LVH), irrespective of criteria.
  • Decreased nocturnal BP dip and increased carotid/renal OD observed from normal LV geometry to concentric LVH.
  • Age, LDL cholesterol, and night-time BP were independent correlates of RWT.

Conclusions:

  • LV geometric patterns reflect varying BP loads and subclinical organ damage in hypertension.
  • These patterns, along with LV mass, are reliable markers of cardiovascular risk.
  • Findings underscore the importance of LV geometry in assessing hypertensive patients.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Shunt Surgery, Right Heart Catheterization, and Vascular Morphometry in a Rat Model for Flow-induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension09:23

Shunt Surgery, Right Heart Catheterization, and Vascular Morphometry in a Rat Model for Flow-induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Published on: February 11, 2017

Related Concept Videos

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...
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
Hypertension I: Introduction01:28

Hypertension I: Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...
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...
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology01:29

Hypertension II: Pathophysiology

Hypertension is a chronic condition in which the blood's force against artery walls is excessively high, posing risks such as heart disease. The condition's underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions among the cardiovascular, kidney, and autonomic nervous systems.Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): This system significantly influences blood pressure regulation. When blood pressure decreases, the kidneys secrete renin. This enzyme transforms angiotensinogen, a plasma protein,...
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...