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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
08:17
Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery
Published on: February 20, 2017
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Left ventricular geometry and all-cause mortality in advanced age
Ruth O Teh1, Ngaire M Kerse1, Elizabeth M Robinson2
1Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Auckland.
Heart, Lung & Circulation
|August 19, 2014
Summary
In older adults, abnormal heart structures like left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) are common. Concentric remodelling and eccentric hypertrophy patterns are linked to increased mortality and adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Echocardiography
Background:
- Cardiac structure and function abnormalities are prevalent in diverse populations, including those with and without cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- This study focuses on the elderly population, examining left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and its associated geometric patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and its four geometric patterns in an elderly cohort.
- To establish the clinical characteristics and five-year outcomes for each LV geometry group.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiograms were performed on 100 participants from general practices and Māori Health Services in New Zealand.
- One cardiologist analyzed echocardiograms, blinded to participant clinical history.
Main Results:
- Thirty-two participants (32%) exhibited echocardiographic LVH.
- Concentric remodelling (CR) and eccentric hypertrophy (EH) were independently associated with higher risks of all-cause mortality and hospital admissions compared to normal geometry (NG).
- Eccentric hypertrophy (EH) also showed a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events.
Conclusions:
- Despite high rates of CVD and hypertension, half of the elderly participants had normal left ventricular geometry.
- Concentric remodelling (CR) and eccentric hypertrophy (EH) are significant predictors of adverse outcomes, including mortality, in older adults.
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