Left ventricular mass estimation by different partition values in a large population of black hypertensive subjects

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hypertension Research
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Left ventricular (LV) geometry is crucial in assessing cardiovascular risk.
• Accurate measurement of left ventricular mass (LVM) is essential for diagnosing LVH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare two common methods for indexing LVM: LVM/height ^2.7 and LVM/body surface area (BSA).
• To determine the impact of these indexing methods on the classification of LV geometric patterns.
• To assess the prevalence of abnormal LV geometry in untreated, asymptomatic Black hypertensive individuals.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of untreated, asymptomatic Black hypertensive patients was studied.
• Echocardiography was used to assess LV geometry and calculate LVM.
• LVM was indexed using two methods: LVM/height ^2.7 and LVM/BSA.
• Patients were classified into four geometric patterns: normal, concentric hypertrophy, concentric remodeling, and eccentric hypertrophy.

Main Results:

• Concentric hypertrophy was the most prevalent geometric pattern, observed in 33.6% to 39.5% of patients.
• LVM indexed for height ^2.7 identified a higher prevalence of abnormal LV geometry compared to LVM indexed for BSA (P < 0.0001).
• Abnormal LV geometry was present in over 80% of the study population.

Conclusions:

• Abnormal left ventricular geometry is highly prevalent in untreated, asymptomatic Black hypertensive individuals.
• Indexing LVM by height ^2.7 is a more sensitive method for detecting LVH and abnormal LV geometry than indexing by BSA.
• These findings have implications for risk stratification and management of hypertension.