Left ventricular hypertrophy reduction and clinical events. A meta-regression analysis of 14 studies in 12,809 hypertensive patients

Background

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor for clinical events (CE), and regression of LVH is associated with reduction of cardiovascular risk. However, whether a continuous relationship between reduction of LVH and risk of CE exists has not been investigated.

Methods

Randomized clinical trials evaluating LVH at baseline and reporting quantitative LVH changes and CE, stroke or new onset heart failure) were included. Meta-regression analysis was performed to test the relationship between changes in LVH and incidence of the composite outcome (all-cause death, MI, stroke or new onset heart failure) and between changes of LVH and occurrence of each component of the composite outcome. Analysis of potential confounder variables was also performed.

Results

Fourteen trials including 12,809 participants and reporting 2259 events were included. Follow-up ranged from 0.50 to 5 years, with mean 1.97 ± 1.50 years. Mean age was 62 ± 5 years and 52% of patients were women. The composite outcome was significantly reduced by active treatments (OR: 0.851, IC: 0.780 to 0.929, p < 0.001), as well stroke (OR: 0.756, IC: 0.638 to 0.895, p < 0.001) whereas MI and new onset heart failure were not significantly reduced by treatments. LVH changes did not predict the reduction of CE. No significant influence on the association of baseline patients and studies characteristics was found.

Conclusions

A significant continuous relationship between LVH changes and CE could not be demonstrated in hypertensive patients, independently on the technique or drug used. Ad hoc designed studies should further explore the relationship between LVH modification and outcomes in hypertensive patients.     

Thresholds in the relationship between mortality and left ventricular hypertrophy defined by electrocardiography

Background

Electrocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in current use were defined using autopsy results or echocardiography; criteria defined using mortality might be more clinically meaningful.

Methods

Using data from Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), we selected electrocardiographic measures that best differentiated those surviving at 5 years from those who did not. We identified voltage thresholds using regression techniques and then compared survival for subjects above and below the thresholds.

Results

Cornell voltage, Cornell product, and Novacode estimate of left ventricular mass index were discriminative for mortality and had identifiable thresholds present in their relationships with mortality. Independent of systolic blood pressure, there were significant associations with 5-year mortality for Novacode index above threshold; hazard ratios were 1.58 for women and 1.27 for men, and for 5-year cardiovascular mortality were 1.78 for women and 2.34 for men.

Conclusions

Electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy validated against mortality might be clinically useful.     

Correlation of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy criteria with left ventricular mass by echocardiogram in obese hypertensive patients

Introduction

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and obesity are important cardiovascular risk factors. This study evaluates the influence of obesity on the diagnostic performance of the most used electrocardiographic criteria for LVH in hypertensive patients.

Methods

One thousand two hundred four outpatients from the Hypertensive Unit of the Hospital São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, were studied. All underwent 12-lead electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. The most known electrocardiographic criteria for LVH were assessed and compared with the left ventricular mass index obtained by echocardiogram in obese and nonobese groups of hypertensive patients.

Results

The population's mean age was 57.4 ± 4.7 years; 351 were men (29.1%) and 853 women (70.8%). Cornell voltage, Cornell duration, Sokolow-Lyon voltage, Romhilt-Estes criteria, and R wave in aVL 11 mm or higher showed a positive correlation with left ventricular mass index (P < .05). Notwithstanding, there were no changes regarding specificity for obese or nonobese characteristics. However, sensitivity had a statistically significant decrease in obese patients in regard to Sokolow-Lyon voltage and Romhilt-Estes criteria and strain pattern (P < .05).

Conclusion

Cornell voltage and Cornell duration criteria, Perugia score, R wave in aVL, and QTc variable had no significant changes in diagnostic sensitivity in the obese patients.     

Left ventricular hypertrophy on long-term cardiovascular outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Abstract

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) had been associated with increased adverse cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients. Prognostic significance of LVH in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not established. This study aimed to investigate prognostic impact of LVH on the patients with STEMI. Methods: We analyzed the data and clinical outcomes of 30-day survivors with STEMI who underwent successful coronary intervention from 2003 to 2009. Definition of LVH was LV mass index (LVMI) >115?g/m² in male and >95?g/m² in female. Patients were classified into a LVH group and a non-LVH group. Occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; death, recurrent MI, target vessel revascularization (TVR)) within 5 years was evaluated. Results: We enrolled 418 patients and mean follow-up duration was 43?±?17 months. Two hundred and fourteen patients (51%) had LVH. The survival of the patients with LVH was significantly worse than the patients without LVH (log-rank p?=?0.024). In a multivariate regression model, the presence of LVH was independently associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.096–5.123, p?=?0.028). When the end points were analyzed based on LVH severity, all-cause mortality was significantly correlated with LVH severity (p?=?0.011). The severe LVH was independently associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality (OR, 5.110; 95% CI, 1.454–17.9, p?=?0.001). Conclusion: LVH was associated with increased rate of adverse clinical outcomes in 30-day survivors after STEMI, who underwent successful coronary intervention.     

高血压患者左心室肥厚与QT离散度增大

目的　进一步探讨高血压左心室肥厚及左心室质量增大与 QT离散度 (QTdispersion,QTd)改变的关系。方法　采用 12导联心电图同步描记及心脏超声检查等方法对 94例原发性高血压患者 [男性 40例 ,女性 5 4例 ,年龄 (5 9.9± 11.2 )岁 ]和 11例正常人 [男性 4例 ,女性 7例 ,年龄 (5 2 .8±16 .9)岁 ]作 QTd及左心室肥厚、左心室质量检测分析。结果　高血压左心室肥厚组 ( 组 ,n=6 2 ) QTd较非肥厚组 ( 组 ,n=32 )以及正常对照组 ( 组 ,n=11)均明显增大 (P<0 .0 1～ 0 .5 0 ) ,QTd与左心室质量呈正相关 (r=0 .47,P<0 .0 1)。结论　原发性高血压左心室肥厚、左心室质量增大可使 QTd明显增大 ,具有心室肌复极不均一、有形成折返性室性心动过速及心脏性猝死的潜在危险     

Clusters of AMI risk factors and their association with left ventricular hypertrophy: A population-based study within the Skaraborg Project,Sweden

Objectives

Risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are known to cluster and to be differently distributed in men and women. The aim of this study was to sex-specifically explore clusters of acknowledged AMI risk factors by factor analysis, and to study whether such clusters are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), used as a subclinical measure of CHD.

Methods

In 2001–2005, 2328 subjects (30–74 years) were randomly selected from two municipalities in Sweden (participation-rate 76%) and were assessed with regard to cardiovascular risk factors; 852 participants also had an echocardiographic examination performed.

Results

Factor analysis identified three identical factors in men and women. WHR, HOMA-ir, systolic blood pressure, and ApoB/ApoA1 loaded significantly on the principal “metabolic factor”, leisure-time physical activity and self-rated health loaded significantly on the “vitality factor”, and smoking and alcohol consumption loaded significantly on the “addiction factor”. The metabolic factor was associated with LVH in both men (P < 0.001) and women (P < 0.001), whereas the addiction factor was associated with LVH solely in men (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

The consistent pattern in the clustering of acknowledged AMI risk factors suggests common underlying mechanisms in both men and women. However, whereas the metabolic factor was paramount in both men and women in the association with LVH, the addiction factor had an impact solely in men. As LVH often precedes AMI, a deeper understanding of risk factors for LVH, including consideration of the supposed sex differences, can be useful in order to explore prevention strategies for AMI.     

Left ventricular hypertrophy screening using a hand-held ultrasound device.

AIMS: To test the diagnostic potential of a hand-held ultrasound device for screening for left ventricular hypertrophy in a hypertensive population using a standard echocardiographic system as a reference. METHODS: One hundred consecutive hypertensive patients were enrolled. An experienced investigator performed measurements of the thickness of the anterior septum and posterior wall using the parasternal 2D-long axis view and the end-diastolic dimension of the left ventricle with both imaging devices. Left ventricular hypertrophy was defined as an increase in left ventricular mass > or = 134 g x m(-2) for men and > or = 110 g x m(-2) for women, when indexed for body surface area and > or = 143 g x m(-1) for men and > or = 102 g x m(-1) for women, when indexed for height. RESULTS: Sixty-five men and 35 women were studied (age 60 +/- 11 years); mean duration of hypertension: 13 +/- 11 years; mean blood pressures: systolic 150 +/- 20 mmHg and diastolic 89 +/- 11 mmHg. The anterior septum and posterior wall were visualized in all patients with both imaging devices. The standard echocardiographic system identified left ventricular hypertrophy by body surface area in 18 (18%) patients and by height in 26 (26%) patients. The agreement between the standard echocardiographic system and the hand-held device for the assessment of left ventricular hypertrophy was 93%, kappa: 0.77 (left ventricular mass/body surface area) and 90%, kappa: 0.76 (left ventricular mass/height). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that hand-held devices can be effectively applied for screening for left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients.     

Cornell指数和Sokolow指数诊断左室肥大的价值

比较和评估Cornell指数与传统Sokolow指数诊断左室肥大(LVH)的价值,探索进一步提高心电图诊断性能的可能性。以1999～2003年我院体检及住院患者为研究对象,共499例。依据超声心动图测定的左室重量指数(LVMI)分为正常组(男210例、女83例)和LVH组(男126例、女80例)。计算Cornell指数和Sokolow指数的诊断灵敏度、特异度和准确率,以及不同特异度条件下的电压阈值及其相应的灵敏度和准确率。结果:两指数诊断男、女LVH的特异度大体相当,均>95%;男、女性Cornell指数的灵敏度和准确率高于Sokolow指数。把Cornell指数的特异度降为95%时,其诊断准确率可由80%提高到82%;调整电压阈值,Sokolow指数的最高诊断准确率为84%,但其特异度仅为85%。结论:Cornell指数诊断LVH的性能优于Sokolow指数;适当调整电压阈值标准可进一步改善两指数的心电图诊断性能,但改善的空间有限。     

New precordial bipolar electrocardiographic leads for detecting left ventricular hypertrophy

Background

Novel small and wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) devices offer new means of recording cardiac activity in different applications. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of closely separated (6 cm) bipolar leads in differentiating subjects with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) from healthy subjects.

Methods

The material contained body surface ECG of 236 healthy and 116 LVH subjects. A total of 36 vertical, 30 horizontal, and 66 diagonal bipolar leads located on the anterior thorax were analyzed. The QRS amplitudes were calculated, and the leads' overall diagnostic performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

The best overall diagnostic performances were obtained from 2 areas: one near the precordial electrodes of standard leads V₁ to V₃ and the other on lower anterior thorax. Vertical and diagonal bipolar leads located at lower anterior thorax provided the highest ROC areas (≥0.79). These bipolar leads also provided similar sensitivities than the traditional Sokolow-Lyon method.

Conclusion

The new short distance vertical and diagonal bipolar leads are efficient in discriminating subjects with LVH from healthy subjects based on QRS amplitude.     

Differentiation between left bundle branch block and left ventricular hypertrophy: Implications for cardiac resynchronization therapy

Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces heart failure hospitalizations and mortality in patients with complete left bundle branch block (LBBB), but potentially not those with right bundle branch block or nonspecific LV conduction delay, such as that due to LV hypertrophy (LVH). Furthermore, endocardial mapping and simulation studies have suggested that one-third of patients diagnosed with LBBB by conventional electrocardiographic criteria are misdiagnosed, and these patients likely have a combination of LVH, LV chamber dilatation and delayed initiation of LV activation (incomplete LBBB). Increase in LV size due to hypertrophy/dilatation and slowed intramyocardial conduction velocity prolong QRS duration in patients with LVH, which can frequently go above the QRS duration threshold of 120 ms conventionally used to diagnose LBBB. New strict criteria for diagnosing complete LBBB have been proposed that utilize longer QRS duration thresholds (130 ms in women and 140 ms in men) and require the presence of mid-QRS notching/slurring in at least 2 of the leads I, aVL, V1, V2, V5 or V6. The emergence of CRT has led to an increased need to differentiate complete LBBB from LVH and other types of intraventricular conduction delay, which should be further studied.     

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高血压左心室肥厚(LVH)的发生除与血压相关外还与生物力学、神经体液及遗传因素相关。循证医学证据表明,LVH是冠心病、心力衰竭、心脏猝死及脑卒中等心血管事件的独立危险因素。长期有效地降压治疗可以在很大程度上逆转LVH,并减少与之相关的心血管事件。     

高血压与左心室肥厚

左心室肥厚 ( LVH)是心血管疾病的重要危险因素 ,高血压是 LVH最常见的原因。本文就高血压患者 LVH的诊断方法、致病因素、病理生理、不良后果及药物治疗等问题作介绍     

高血压左室肥厚心电综合电压诊断价值分析

目的 探讨心电图综合电压标准在高血压左室肥厚（LVH）中的诊断价值,为高血压LVH的筛查、诊断和疗效观察提供依据.方法 按照美国超声学会（ASE）推荐使用的操作常规（ASE Convention）检测90例中国高血压LVH患者心脏质量指数（UCG-LVMI）,心电电压各参数反复测3个心动周期,取均值,评价心电图综合电压标准在高血压LVH中的诊断价值.结果 根据Cornell新标准,90例中国高血压LVH患者真阳性发生率为60.0%（男性）和64.4%（女性）,假阴性发生率为40.0%（男性）和35.6%（女性）.临床诊断评价：敏感度RⅠ＋SⅢ 20.0%、RV5＋SV1 36.7%、Ravl＋SV3 62.2%,特异度 RⅠ＋SⅢ 100%、RV5＋SV1 94.5%、Ravl＋SV3 95.5%,准确度RⅠ＋SⅢ 64.0%、RV5＋SV1 69.5%、Ravl＋SV3 82.0%.结论 ECG-Cornell标准诊断高血压LVH的敏感度、特异度和准确度分别为62.2%、95.5%和82.0%.综合电压中Cornell电压诊断的敏感度、特异度和准确度最高,是高血压LVH筛查、诊断、预后的理想指标.     

Significance of left ventricular hypertrophy in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality

Being a classical sequel of hemodynamic burdens (pressure and/or volume), the untoward results of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were traditionally related to its underlying causes. The Framingham study was the first to demonstrate the increased independent risk associated with LVH detected by ECG and/or by echocardiography. The presence of LVH in nonhypertensive individuals (e.g., obese), the association of LVH with age and gender, and the possibility of genetic control of left ventricular size via nonhemodynamic mechanisms had underscored the importance of LVH per se as a prognostic indicator. The presence of LVH in patients with hypertensive or coronary artery disease results in a severalfold increase in risk compared to similar patients without LVH. Early studies have indicated that the presence of LVH is associated with a significantly worse prognosis in patients recovering from myocardial infarction. We have studied the effect of LVH on long-term (mean 5.5 years) mortality in patients surviving myocardial infarction registered in the SPRINT database. The LVH patients were older and had more complications during hospitalization. The 1- and 5-year mortality rates were doubled in patients with ECG-LVH. Review of the mechanisms operating in LVH reveals important changes in the anatomy and physiology of hypertrophied heart, leading to increased fibrosis, inadequate vascular growth, impaired myocardial function (systolic and diastolic), reduced coronary reserve, and abnormal electrophysiological properties. Regression of LVH by proper treatment (achieved mainly by calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors) may correct many of the above-mentioned adverse phenomena. Whether the regression of LVH per se will lead to improved prognosis remains to be answered in the future.     

非洛地平与赖诺普利的降压效应及对左室肥厚逆转作用的对比

目的：评价并比较非洛地平及赖诺普利治疗轻、中度原发性高血压（ＥＨ）的降压疗效及对左心室肥厚的逆转作用。方法：选择１２８例轻、中度ＥＨ患者,入选前服用安慰剂２周,随机分为非洛地平组６６例和赖诺普利组６２例。非洛地平组服用非洛地平５～１０ｍｇ／ｄ,赖诺普利组服用赖诺普利１０～２０ｍｇ／ｄ,每日１次,疗程２４周。两组均在治疗前及治疗后的２、１２、２４周分别进行偶测血压、２４ｈ动态血压及超声心动图检查。结果：非洛地平和赖诺普利均能显著降低血压,两药对偶测血压的下降幅度差异无显著性（Ｐ＞０．０５）。非洛地平能有效控制清晨高峰期血压。收缩压、舒张压的谷／峰比值分别是７２％、６７％。非洛地平降低２４ｈ平均血压和白昼血压的幅度大于赖诺普利,而夜间血压降低的幅度显著低于白昼。两药治疗２４周后,室间隔厚度、左心室后壁厚度、左室心肌重量及左室重量指数较治疗前显著改善（Ｐ＜０．００１）。两组药物副反应均较轻。结论：非洛地平能有效降低ＥＨ患者的血压,降低靶器官损害的危险性。     

心电图肢体导联室壁激动时间诊断高血压左室肥厚的价值

评价心电图（ＥＣＧ）肢体导联室壁激动时间（ＶＡＴ）诊断左室肥厚（ＬＶＨ）的价值。方法以超声心动图（Ｅｃｈｏ）为标准,对９６例高血压患者左室重量（ＬＶＭ）进行测定,将邻近心电轴之肢体导联ＶＡＴ与Ｅｃｈｏ测定结果进行比较并分析其诊断ＬＶＨ的价值。结果（１）ＬＶＭ与ＥＣＧ心电轴邻近之肢体导联ＶＡＴ有极显著正相关（ｒ＝０．８７及０．７３,Ｐ〈０．０１）,（２）以肢体导联ＶＡＴ≥０．０４ｓ作为ＬＶＨ作为ＬＶ