Left ventricular hypertrophy

Abstract

Objective: To review the pathophysiology, epidemiology, patterns, diagnosis, and treatment of left ventricular hypertrophy with emphasis on the elderly.

Data sources: A computer-assisted search of the English-language literature (MEDLINE database) followed by a manual search of the bibliographies of pertinent articles.

Study selection: Studies on the pathophysiology, epidemiology, patterns, diagnosis, and treatment of left ventricular hypertrophy were screened for review. Studies on left ventricular hypertrophy in the elderly and recent studies were emphasized.

Data extraction: Pertinent data were extracted from the reviewed articles. Emphasis was on studies involving the elderly. Relevant articles were reviewed in depth.

Data synthesis: Available data about the pathophysiology, epidemiology, patterns, diagnosis, and treatment of left ventricular hypertrophy with emphasis on studies involving the elderly were summarized.

Conclusions: Left ventricular hypertrophy caused by hypertension or other cardiovascular disease is not only a marker for but also a contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in elderly and young patients. The question of whether regression of left ventricular mass in patients with hypertension will decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality needs to be answered by prospective studies using different types of antihypertensive drugs. Future studies on the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs and on stratification of therapy should include echocardiographic estimates of left ventricular mass index.