[Left ventricular hypertrophy in paediatric predialysis children and treatment--induced regression of left ventricular mass].

UNLABELLED: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the chronic renal failure adult population. Recently it has been shown that also paediatric CRF patients are at high risk of cardiovascular complications. Recent research programs are looking into the initial stages of chronic renal insufficiency to assess the early predictors of cardiac or cardiovascular disease. In the present study we analyzed the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in predialysis paediatric population and the potential value of efficient antihypertensive treatment on regression of left ventricular mass. Forty-nine chronic renal failure patients, aged 2-19 years, had two echocardiographic evaluations: at the time of establishing CRF diagnosis and after 30 months of antihypertensive treatment. In this study LVH was defined as left ventricular mass index (LVMI) greater than 51 g/m2.7. At the baseline assessment LVH was found in 18 out of 49 children (63.2%). In the second echocardiographic study LVH was present in 7 (14.2%) children. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Left ventricular hypertrophy is common in young CRF patients. 2. The reduction of left ventricular mass is possible, and may be determined by the effectiveness of antihypertensive treatment.