[Effect of long-term ambulatory hypotensive treatment on the structural and functional status of the myocardium]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hypertension Research
• Cardiac Imaging

Background:

• Essential hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common complication of hypertension, associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
• Assessing the impact of antihypertensive therapy on LVH regression and myocardial function is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in myocardial function and the potential for regression of left-ventricular hypertrophy in patients with stable hypertension.
• To evaluate the effects of one year of effective hypotensive treatment on cardiac structure and function.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 97 patients with essential hypertension (Stage IIB) aged 35-56 years was studied.
• Echocardiography was performed before and after one year of regular hypotensive therapy.
• The study assessed changes in left-ventricular myocardial weight and myocardial function parameters.

Main Results:

• A marked hypotensive effect was achieved during the treatment period.
• Left-ventricular myocardial weight declined in 69% of patients, indicating LVH regression.
• Despite the hypotensive effect, 18.6% of patients showed no change, and 12.4% experienced an increase in myocardial weight.
• The reduction in LVH was not associated with significant alterations in myocardial pump function or contractility.

Conclusions:

• Effective hypotensive treatment can lead to regression of left-ventricular hypertrophy in a majority of patients with essential hypertension.
• Antihypertensive therapy, while reducing LVH, does not appear to significantly alter myocardial pump function or contractility in the short term.
• These findings highlight the benefits of managing hypertension for cardiac remodeling and suggest preserved cardiac function during LVH regression.