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Left ventricular hypertrophy: an independent factor of risk
Insights
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) increases cardiovascular risks independently of hypertension. While some drugs reduce LVH mass, no treatment has yet improved patient outcomes by reversing LVH.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- This risk associated with LVH is independent of other known cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the risks associated with LVH.
- To evaluate the effects of antihypertensive agents on LVH mass and clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating LVH.
- Analysis of pharmacological interventions targeting LVH.
Main Results:
- Several antihypertensive agents can reduce left ventricular mass.
- Some agents may also decrease the mass of the normal left ventricle.
- No current pharmacologic agent has demonstrated an improvement in cardiovascular risk through LVH reversal.
Conclusions:
- LVH poses a substantial cardiovascular risk.
- Pharmacological reduction of LVH mass does not necessarily translate to improved clinical outcomes.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking LVH to cardiovascular risk and to develop effective treatments.
Abstract:
Left ventricular hypertrophy imposes a definite risk of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This increased risk is independent of other risks (including that of hypertension). The precise mechanism or mechanisms that account for this risk are not known, although several possible factors have been identified. A variety of antihypertensive agents have been shown to decrease the mass of hypertrophied left ventricle, although some may also diminish the mass of the normal ventricle. No study to date has demonstrated improvement in the risk from LVH with so-called reversal of LVH with pharmacologic agents.