Related Experiment Videos
Factors influencing cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive patients
Insights
Atenolol therapy significantly reduced left ventricular mass index in hypertensive patients. This regression was linked to initial mass and reduced wall stress, with lower diastolic pressure predicting greater mass reduction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Essential hypertension can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
- Assessing factors influencing LVH regression is crucial for cardiovascular health.
- Beta-blockers like atenolol are used to manage hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of atenolol on left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in hypertensive patients.
- To identify factors influencing changes in LVMI during atenolol therapy.
- To explore predictors of significant LVH regression.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen male patients with essential hypertension received atenolol (100 mg/kg) for 8 weeks.
- Echocardiography assessed left ventricular wall thickness and LVMI.
- Correlations were examined between LVMI and factors like blood pressure, heart rate, and catecholamines.
Main Results:
- Initial LVMI correlated with systolic blood pressure and exercise heart rate increase.
- Atenolol therapy reduced LVMI by 12% (14 g/m2).
- LVMI decrease correlated with initial LVMI and reduced wall stress; lower initial diastolic pressure predicted greater regression.
Conclusions:
- Atenolol effectively reduces left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients.
- Regression of hypertensive LVH is influenced by baseline LVMI, wall stress reduction, and initial diastolic pressure.
- Further research may elucidate mechanisms of LVH regression in hypertension management.
Abstract:
1. Seventeen male patients with essential hypertension were studied after 4 weeks of placebo and after 8 weeks of beta-adrenoceptor-blockade therapy with atenolol (100 mg/kg). 2. The influence of the following factors on left ventricular wall thickness and left ventricular mass index as determined by echocardiography was examined: patient's age, duration of hypertension, arterial pressure, blood pressure variability, supine heart rate, maximal exercise heart rate, left ventricular wall stress and 24 h urinary catecholamines. 3. Left ventricular mass index was related to systolic blood pressure (r = 0.54, P less than 0.05) and to extent of increase in heart rate with maximal exercise (r = 0.62, P less than 0.05). No significant correlation was present between mass index and other variables. 4. After atenolol therapy, left ventricular mass index decreased by 14 g/m2 (12%). Changes in mass were related to its initial value (r = 0.69, P less than 0.01) and to % change in wall stress (r = 0.64, P less than 0.05). Patients who had a decrease in mass index of 10% or greater had an initially lower diastolic pressure (P less than 0.001). Other factors did not appear to influence significantly the regression of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy.