Arrhythmia related to hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy in Iraqi patients: frequency and outcome

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) caused by high blood pressure is linked to increased mortality and arrhythmia risk. This study aimed to evaluate arrhythmia in hypertensive patients due to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). A cross-sectional study was performed, assessing participants' blood pressure, echocardiography and electrocardiography, and Holter monitoring in certain cases. There were 300 hypertensive patients >18 years attending the cardiology unit of Baghdad medical city. The study was conducted between January-June 2022. The electrocardiograms at rest for 300 adults with hypertension were investigated. 130 (43.5%) were females, and 170 (56.5%) were males. The mean age of participants was 58 years. Forty-nine (16.3%) patients had arrhythmia. As compared to those without arrhythmia, participants with arrhythmia were older (62.3 vs. 56.1, p=0.03), had a greater prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (24.5% vs. 12.7%, p=0.026), and more prone to experience cardiac failure (32.7% vs. 8.5%, p<0.011). Atrial fibrillation was found in 6 (27.2%) female patients and 5 (18.5%) males. In addition, two (7.4%) male patients and one female patient (4.5%) had atrial flutter, and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) were noted in 10 (37%) and 11 (50%) patients. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 103 gm/m² in female patients and 119.2 gm/m² in males. Palpitation was present in 22 (44.9%) female patients and 27 (55.1%) males. The study revealed that hypertensives with LVH have an arrhythmia frequency of 16.3%. The most common arrhythmias were atrial fibrillation and premature ventricular complex.