[Left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension. Part II. Prognostic value of left ventricular hypertrophy]

Abstract

This part of review is based on results of prospective studies of prognostic value of left ventricular hypertrophy defined by electro- or echocardiographical criteria. Increased risk of cardiovascular complications has been found to be associated with left ventricular hypertrophy detected not only by voltage ECG criteria but also by ST-segment and T-wave changes in left precordial leads. Left ventricular myocardial mass is an independent factor of prognosis too. Prognostic significance of left ventricular hypertrophy depends on echocardiographical criteria used and on age, sex, race of patients and presence of coronary heart disease. Unfavorable prognostic significance of left ventricular hypertrophy becomes evident after several years of follow-up. Concentric left ventricular remodeling is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular complications, however its value for prognosis is inferior to that of left ventricular hypertrophy.