Hypertensive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Pathophysiology, Assessment and Treatment

Otterstad JE, Smiseth O, Kjeldsen SE. Hypertensive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Pathophysiology, Assesment and Treatment.Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. LVH is associated with coronary events, and there is an association between cerebrovascular disease and increased left ventricular mass (LVM). Experimental studies have elucidated the importance of non-myocytic cells inducing increased perivascular and interstitial fibrosis along with thickening of the media of intramyocardial coronary arteries in hypertensive LVH. M-mode echocardiography is the most accepted standard for the diagnosis and quantification of LVH, but some controversies exist regarding the ideal methodology for serial assessment of LVM. It is still a matter of debate whether 2-dimensional echo measurements represent a more accurate method. Hopefully, both the introduction of 3-dimensional echo and new Doppler techniques can provide more accurate measurements of LVM and add...