Addressing the relationship between cardiac hypertrophy and ischaemic stroke: an observational study

Research over the last decade has recognized left ventricular hypertrophy as a risk factor for major cardiovascular events including stroke. While cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is the best modality to quantify left ventricular hypertrophy, echocardiographic calculation of left ventricular mass index is a reasonable alternative.

We carried out a hospital based prospective study to identify the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, assessed using echocardiography, in patients presenting with ischaemic strokes. This is the first study that attempted to quantify this issue in a cohort of Sri Lankan patients. The study was carried out in the National Hospital of Sri Lanka over a period of 6 months.

A total of 55 patients (44 males, 80%) (mean age: 62.3, range: 48-82 years) with ischaemic strokes were studied. Of them, only 38 could be mobilized to measure the height and weight to calculate the left ventricular mass index. Of the rest, only one person had the electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy. Of the 38 patients evaluated, 29 (76.3%) had left ventricular hypertrophy while 19 (50%) had severe hypertrophy.

The rates of left ventricular hypertrophy reported in similar studies in other countries vary between 25-62%. Given the high prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy reported in this study and its recognition as a risk factor for stroke recently, together with the availability of effective treatment for risk reduction, the cost effectiveness of population screening should be evaluated. Further studies are planned in this regard.