Systolic function of the hypertrophied left ventricle

The effects of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on systolic function were studied by echocardiography in 61 hypertensive patients. LV mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (h/r ratio) were used together as LVH indices, and three patterns of LV adaptation to the pressure overload were observed: 13 patients had normal LVMI and h/r ratio (no LVH); 32 patients had increased h/r ratio, with normal or increased LVMI (concentric LVH); 16 patients had increased LVMI and normal h/r ratio (eccentric LVH). Cuff arterial pressure was lower in patients without LVH than in those with LVH, but both LVH indices correlated weakly with systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure (r = 0.22 to 0.33). Eccentric LVH showed peculiar hemodynamics, characterized by high cardiac output (CO) and normal total peripheral resistance (TPR), whereas CO was normal and TPR moderately and severely increased in patients without LVH and with concentric LVH, respectively. In the group without LVH, peak systolic stress (PSS) and systolic blood pressure/end-systolic volume index (SBP/Ves) were increased, whereas end-diastolic diameter (EDD), end-systolic stress (ESS), and fractional shortening (FS) were normal; thus, the ejective performance was preserved by increased contractility. The group with concentric LVH had normal PSS, ESS, EDD, and FS and increased SBP/Ves, showing that systolic function was normal or supernormal in the presence of adequate LVH. The group with eccentric LVH had increased PSS, ESS, and EDD, whereas FS and SBP/Ves were both normal; thus, the ejective performance was preserved--in spite of an inadequate LVH and increased afterload--through the action of preload reserve.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)