Left ventricular hypertrophy and arrhythmogenesis

Abstract

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) poses an independent risk of increased morbidity and mortality, including atrial arrhythmias, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The most common causes of LVH are hypertension and valvular heart disease. Electrocardiography and echocardiography are the first steps in the diagnosis and evaluation of therapy in patients with LVH. Cardiac MRI is the gold standard in diagnosis and assessment of response to therapy. Management of LVH should be based on etiology, evidence, and guideline adherence. Timely and optimal management of the underlying cause of LVH results in improvement (regression) of LVH and its related complications.

Keywords: Arrhythmogenesis; Atrial fibrillation; Hypertension; Hypertensive heart disease; Left ventricular hypertrophy; Torsades de pointes; Ventricular arrhythmias.