血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体基因A1166C多态性与原发性高血压患者左室肥厚的关系

左室肥厚 (LVH)是原发性高血压 (EH)患者靶器官损害的重要特征之一 ,其发生、发展可能受多种因素的影响。血管紧张素Ⅱ (AngⅡ )是紧素 血管紧张素系统 (RAS)的重要组成成分 ,它的多种生物学效应都是通过AngⅡ 1型受体 (AT1 R)介导的〔1〕,AT1 R不仅是调节血压的主要中介 ,它与AngⅡ结合后还可引起多种生物学效应。本文旨在探讨EH人群中AT1 R基因型与LVH的关系。1　对象与方法2 0 0 1年 1～ 8月在唐山市开滦医院就诊的EH患者 1 2 6例 ,男 66例 ,女 60例 ,年龄 5 3～ 82 ( 67±6)岁。EH诊断标准按照《1 999WHO/ISH高血压治疗指…     

血管紧张素Ⅱ-1型受体基因A1166C多态性与原发性高血压的相关性研究

目的:研究血管紧张素Ⅱ-I型受体(AT1R)基因A1166c多态性与国人原发性高血压(EH)的关系,以期从分子学水平上阐明其发病机制,为EH的诊断、治疗及易患性研究提供依据。方法:应用聚合酶链反应,限制性内切酶酶解的方法检测83例EH患者(EH组)和64例健康人(对照组)的AT1R基因型,比较各组间的基因分布差异.分析AT1R基因A1166多态性与高血压的关系。结果:EH患者AT1R基因型AA、AC、CC的频率分别为57.8％,38.6％,3.6％与对照组的67.2％,29.7％,2.7％相比较,差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。结论:AT1R的C等位基因频率在EH患者的分布较健康者高,但无统计学意义,尚不能确定AT1R基因A1166C多态性与EH有相关性。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ的2型受体基因多态性与男性原发性高血压相关性研究

目的 :探讨我国男性原发性高血压 (EH)患者及其危险分层与血管紧张素Ⅱ的 2型受体 (AT2 R)基因C312 3A多态性的关系。方法 :①随机选取 85例男性EH患者 ,另选 4 5例男性正常人作为对照。②用聚合酶链式反应 (PCR) /限制性内切酶AluI酶解检测AT2 R基因的C312 3A多态性。③根据心血管绝对危险水平分层把患者分为低中危、高危和极高危者。结果 :高危和极高危者的AT2 R基因的A等位基因频率均明显高于低中危者 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但AT2 R基因的A和C等位基因频率与正常对照组间的差别却无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :AT2 R的C312 3A基因多态性与男性EH发病无关 ,但突变的A等位基因与EH患者的靶器官损害及并存的临床情况有密切关系     

血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体基因rs388915多态性与原发性高血压的相关性

目的:研究血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体(angiotensinⅡtype 1 receptor,AT1R)基因rs388915多态性与汉族人群原发性高血压(EH)的相关性,为EH的诊断、治疗及易感性研究提供依据。方法:选取在北京安贞医院就诊的北方汉族原发性高血压患者640例(EH组)和442例体检血压正常者(正常对照组NT),应用荧光定量聚合酶链反应方法进行AT1R基因rs388915位点的多态性检测,比较不同分组人群的差异。结果:rs388915位点在EH组和NT组的基因型分别为GG型23/8、AG型211/125、AA型393/305;G等位基因频率分别为79.5%/83.9%,A等位基因频率分别为20.5%/16.1%。2组之间基因型和等位基因频率差异有统计学意义(分别为P=0.03;P=0.01)。显性模型、加性模型在2组间差异有统计学意义(P=0.019;P=0.03)。根据性别进行亚组分析,在女性人群中,EH组和NT组基因型分别为GG型7/3、AG型87/51、AA型132/127,2组之间基因型频率有差异(P=0.045);G等位基因频率28.7%/15.7%和A等位基因频率71.3%/84.3%,发现2组差异无统计学意义(P=0.000)。男性人群中,2组(EH/NT)患者基因型分别为GG型6/5、AG型124/74、AA型261/178,2组间差异无统计学意义(P=0.26);G等位基因频率19.5%/16.3%和A等位基因频率81.5%/83.7%,2组间差异无统计学意义(P=0.15)。经Logistic逐步回归分析,rs388915等位基因与EH发病密切相关(P=0.024,OR=1.341,95%Cl=1.039～1.1731)。结论:AT1R基因rs388915多态性可能与中国北方汉族人群原发性高血压的发病有关,特别是在女性人群中。     

血管紧张素转化酶基因多态性与老年人高血压合并左心室肥厚的探讨

目的 探讨血管紧张素转化酶（ACE）基因插入／缺失（I／D）多态性与老年人高血压合并左心室肥厚（LVH）的关系。同时测定血清ACE水平,观察与ACE基因多态性的关系。方法 应用聚合酶链反应（PCR）技术102例老年人进行ACE基因I／D多态性检测,其中正常对照者41例,高血压无心脑血管合并症（CCVD）患者35例,高血压合并LVH者26例。同时,用紫外分光光度法测定其中32例正常人和29例高血压病患者的血清ACE浓度。结果 高血压合并LVH组DD基因型频率0．385和D等位基因频率0．596分别显著高于正常对照组的0．122和0．378（均为P＜0．05）,以及高血压无CCVD组的0．114和0．386（均为P＜0．05）。同时发现DD型者血清ACE水平显著高于Ⅱ型（P＜0．05）。结论 ACE基因缺失多态性可能是老年高血压合并LVH易患者的重要遗传标志。     

高血压左心室肥厚与血管紧张素Ⅱ受体的关系

目的探讨自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)左心室肥厚和血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)受体的关系。 方法雄性SHR自10周龄始,给予依那普利［enalapril20mg/(kg     

血管紧张素Ⅱ—Ⅰ型受体基因A1166／C多态性与原发性高血压及血脂水平关系

目的：探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ－Ⅰ型受体（ＡＴ１Ｒ）基因Ａ１１６６／Ｃ多态性与国人原发性高血压的关系,并探讨原发性高血压的发病机制。方法;应用限制性内切酶酶解聚合酶链式反应（ＰＣＲ－ＲＦＬＰ）的方法检测７０例健康人和１１２例高血压患者的ＡＴ１Ｒ基因型,生化技术测定血脂水平。结果：原发必因压组的ＡＣ基因型频率２５．７％,Ｃ等位基因频率１２．９％,分别显著高于下沉对照组的７１％和３．６％（Ｐ〈０．０５）,原发     

原发性高血压患者血管紧张素转化酶和血管紧张素受体基因多态性的研究

目的　探讨血管紧张素转化酶 ( ACE)及血管紧张素 - 1型受体 ( AT1 R)基因多态性与原发性高血压 ( EHT)的关系。方法　应用聚合酶链反应及 PCR加酶解方法检测 1 50例健康人 ( NT)及 1 52例 EHT患者 ACE I/ D基因多态性的 ACE及 AT1 R A1 1 6 6 C突变。结果　 EHT组ACE I/ D基因多态性等位基因频率 I为 0 .50 ,D为 0 .50 ,D等位基因频率及基因型频率显著高于 NT组 ( P<0 .0 5) ;而两者之间的 AT1 R A1 1 6 6 C的C等位基因频率差异无显著性 ( P>0 .0 5)。结论　 ACE基因可能是 EHT的重要遗传因素 ,AT1 R基因 A1 1 6 6 C多态性与 EHT无关     

血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体与高血压左心室重构

左心室重构是高血压病重要的病理生理过程，包括心肌细胞肥大和心肌间质重塑两个方面。血管紧张素Ⅱ及其它激素，细胞因子等共同组成的神经-内分泌-细胞因子网络对左心室重构的形成起着调控作用。在这个过程中，血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体联系着细胞间和细胞内各种信息的传递和沟通，成为重构形成的桥梁；同时，该受体的遗传背景可能引起受体功能的变化并影响左心室重构的表型，对个体化治疗和预防有潜在意义。     

氯沙坦逆转高血压病人左心室肥厚与血管紧张素转化酶基因多态性的关系

目的 为了探讨血管紧张素转化酶(ACE)基因多态性与高血压左室肥厚(LVH)的关系。方法 利用外周血白细胞抽提基因组DNA、体外PCR基因扩增的方法检测68例高血压LVH患者ACE基因第16内含子、长度为287bp的片段插入／缺失(I／D)多态性，并将患者分为DD、ID、II三种基因型。观测给予口服氯沙坦(50mg～100mg／d、部分病例加用氢氯噻嗪12．5mg～25mg／d)20周前后患者坐位收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、超声心动图左房内径(LAD)、舒张末期室间隔厚度(IVST)、左室后壁厚度(PWT)、左室舒张末期内径(LVDd)及左室重量指数(LVMI)的变化。结果 (1)68例高血压LVH患者中，ACE基因DD型17例(25％)、ID型22例(32％)、II型29例(43％)，D和I等位基因频率分别为0．41和0．59。(2)所有患者口服氯沙坦20周后，SBP、DBP明显下降；但其它观测指标却因基因型不同而呈现不同的变化。LVMI的下降幅度，DD型为7．4％，ID型为5．2％，II型为2．3％，DD型与ID型、II型相比，有显著性差异。结论 (1)ACE基因I／D多态性可能与高血压LVH有关，ACE基因DD型可能是高血压LVH的独立危险因子。(2)氯沙坦可以显著降低高血压LVH患者的血压、逆转LVH，且以ACE基因DD型效果较好(与ID型、II型相比)。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体基因多态性与高血压左室重构的相关性研究

目的 :探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ 1型受体 (AT1R)基因A116 6C多态性与原发性高血压 (EH)及其左室重构的关系。方法 :测定 10 4例EH患者和 15 4例健康对照者的血压 ,身高 ,体重 ,空腹血糖、总胆固醇、甘油三酯浓度 ;测定EH患者的左室重量指数 (LVMI)并记录病程 ;多聚酶链式反应 限制性酶切法 (PCR RFLP)鉴定AT1R基因 116 6位点基因型。结果 :EH组AT1R基因AC/CC基因型频率高于对照组 (0 .2 0 2∶0 .0 97,P <0 .0 5 ) ,116 6C等位基因频率高于对照组 (0 .115∶0 .0 5 2 ,P <0 .0 1) ;用协方差分析排除病程、收缩压、总胆固醇等混杂因素的作用后发现 ,EH组中AC/CC基因型患者LVMI高于AA基因型者 (12 7.37∶115 .98,P <0 .0 5 )。结论 :AT1R基因 116 6位点AC/CC基因型及C等位基因与EH及其左室重构有关。     

血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性与高血压左室肥厚的关系

目的探讨血管紧张素转换酶（ＡＣＥ）基因多态性与高血压左室肥厚的关系。方法对１０４例高血压病患者，采用二维引导下的Ｍ型超声心动图检测有无左室肥厚（ＬＶＨ），同时作２４小时动态血压监测，采血检测ＡＣＥ基因多态性（ＰＣＲ方法）。１１３例正常人作基因频率检测。结果（１）高血压ＬＶＨ（＋）与ＬＶＨ（－）两组动态血压指标除夜间平均ＳＢＰ、平均动脉压（ＭＡＰ）差异有显著性外，２４小时及白天平均ＳＢＰ、ＤＢＰ、ＭＡＰ和夜间平均ＤＢＰ两组间差异均无显著性。（２）ＬＶＨ（＋）组Ｉ基因频率明显高于ＬＶＨ（－）组，ＬＶＨ（＋）组Ｉ基因型明显高于ＬＶＨ（－）组。（３）１１３例正常人基因型频率分布：Ｉ为０．５８，Ｄ为０．４２。结论本研究提示，ＡＣＥ基因多态性与左室肥厚明显相关，Ｉ基因型者似更易发生左室肥厚。ＡＣＥ基因型频率分布东方人与西方人不同。     

Mechanism of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker action in the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy

Left ventricular hypertrophy refers to a pathologic increase in left ventricular mass and is associated with an increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality from any cause. In the development of left ventricular hypertrophy there is growth of cardiomyocytes and accumulation of extracellular matrix and fibrosis. The actions are partly induced by angiotensin II, the principal effector of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, binding to the AT1 receptor. Biochemical markers, some implicated in inflammatory changes, correlate with changes in left ventricular mass. The reduction in left ventricular mass brought about with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy correlates with a reduction in these inflammatory changes, monitored by brain natriuretic peptide. Recent studies incorporating trials of ARBs have found ARBs to be more effective in reducing left ventricular mass than beta blockers and possibly more effective than calcium antagonists. Initial studies suggest that ARBs and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may have similar effects in terms of reducing left ventricular hypertrophy, and the combination of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and ARBs is thought to be synergistic due to a more complete inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In conclusion, these agents are efficacious in antihypertensive therapy and can play an important role in the prevention or regression of left ventricular hypertrophy due to hypertension.     

老年高血压病合并冠心病、脑梗塞患者AT1R基因多态性的研究

目的 探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ-Ⅰ型受体（AT1R）基因A1166／C多态性与老年原发性高血压病的关系，并探讨原发性高血压病的发病机制。方法 应用聚合酶链式反应、限制性内切酶酶解（PCR－RFLP）的方法检测40例健康人和92例原发性高血压病患者（其中31例合并冠心病，37例合并脑梗塞患者）的AT1R基因型；生化技术测定血脂水平。结果 原发性高血压病组、合并冠心病组及合并脑梗塞组的C等位基因频率14．6％、14．5％和10．8％，分别显著高于正常对照组的3．7％（P＜0．05）；带有C等位基因的原发性高血压病患者无论是否合并冠心病、脑梗塞，其血浆LP（a)水平均增高。结论 提示AT1R基因可能是老年原发性高血压病的重要遗传因素，AT1R基因可能参与脂质的调节。     

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism and geometric patterns of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy

Polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been found to be associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with essential hypertension (EHT) in certain populations. We sought to evaluate, in a Japanese population, whether ACE genotype is related to left ventricular mass, or to the geometry of LVH in EHT. Eighty-seven patients with EHT were examined. Their relative wall thickness (RWT) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI), determined by echocardiogram, were used to divide them into 4 groups: normal (normal RWT and LVMI, n = 35); concentric remodeling (increased RWT but normal LVMI, n= 10); eccentric hypertrophy (increased LVMI but normal RWT, n = 20); and concentric hypertrophy (increased LVMI and RWT, n = 22). Genetic analysis for ACE genotypes was performed on peripheral leukocytes using PCR techniques. Interventricular septal thickness and RWT were significantly greater in the patients with the DD genotype than in those with the II genotype, but LVMI did not differ among the three ACE genotypes. The frequency of the DD genotype was higher in the concentric hypertrophy group than in each of the other groups, and the frequency of the II genotype was lower in the concentric hypertrophy group than in either the normal or eccentric hypertrophy group. The geometric pattern of hypertensive LVH was associated with ACE genotype in a Japanese population. The DD genotype may contribute to concentric hypertrophy, but not to eccentric hypertrophy.     

Insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin I converting enzyme gene and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a well known risk factor of death from cardiovascular causes. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at particularly high risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which accounts for 80% of deaths in this group. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is probably related to increased left ventricular mass (LVM). Existing data show that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system may play a role in the development of LVH. Since the I/D polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene influences the activity of RAA, it is likely that it could also have an impact on LVH. AIM: To assess the relationship between I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and the severity of LVH assessed by echocardiography (Echo) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The study group consisted of 103 patients (37 women and 66 men; mean age 60.1+/-9.1 years) suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus with a mean duration of 9.0+/-6.5 years. BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), arterial blood pressure, LVM and LVM index (LVM indexed for body surface area [g/m(2)] or height raised to the power 2.7 [g/m(2.7)]) were evaluated. I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene was determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Distribution of I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene in the study group was as follows: genotype II--32.0%, ID--42.7%, DD--25.2% of patients. LVH was diagnosed in 43-71% of patients (depending on criteria used). Distribution of individual genotypes was similar in patients with and without LVH. Genotypes II, ID and DD were observed in 37.3%, 31.4% and 31.4% of patients without LVH (according to the Levy criteria) and in 26.9%, 53.9%, 19.2% in the LVH group, respectively. In persons with DD genotype, when compared to group II, significantly higher values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were noted (147.7+/-20.2 vs 138.2+/-16.7 mmHg, p=0.03 and 89.4+/-9.7 vs 81.9+/-8.7 mmHg, p=0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus there is no relationship between I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene and LVH.     

Blockade of angiotensin II type 1 receptor improves the arrhythmia morbidity in mice with left ventricular hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Stimulation of angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptors has been shown to generate the arrhythmogenic substrate in ventricular hypertrophy. We examined whether candesartan, an AT1 receptor blocker, has antiarrhythmic effects on mouse model of left ventricular hypertrophy created by transverse aorta constriction (TAC). METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty-eight male mice were divided into 3 groups: TAC, candesartan (TAC plus candesartan) and control groups. Echocardiographic examination was performed before the operation and 2 and 4 weeks after the operation. Four weeks after the operation, electrophysiological studies were conducted by inserting a 1.7 F octapolar electrode catheter through the right external jugular vein into the right ventricle. The effective refractory period of the atrioventricular node (AVNERP) in TAC group was significantly prolonged, and short episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and atrial fibrillation (AF) could be induced in 12 of 16 mice (75%) and 8 of 16 (50%), respectively. In contrast, in candesartan group, the incidence of VT was significantly reduced (12.5%) and no AF was induced. Moreover, the drug produced a significant left ventricular hypertrophy regression and restored the AVNERP to normal. CONCLUSIONS: Candesartan reduced both ventricular and atrial arrhythmias in the TAC mice, presumably by preventing the electrical remodeling by inhibiting the AT(1) receptor.     

Effects of spironolactone during an angiotensin II receptor blocker treatment on the left ventricular mass reduction in hypertensive patients with concentric left ventricular hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are now commonly used to treat hypertension because of their beneficial effects on cardiovascular remodeling. However, ARB treatment can not inhibit the left ventricular (LV) remodeling sufficiently, which may be related with aldosterone secretion. To inhibit the action of aldosterone during ARB treatment, the additional effects of an aldosterone blocker and spironolactone (SPRL) on LV hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension was studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patients with essential hypertension were randomly divided into 2 groups; 1 group was treated with an ARB, candesartan (8 mg/day), for 1 year (ARB group) and other group was treated with the ARB for the first 6 months and with the ARB plus SPRL (25 mg/day) for the next 6 months (combination group). Seventy patients who underwent echocardiography every 6 months were analyzed and were also classified into 4 subgroups of LV geometric pattern according to the LV mass index (LVMI) and the relative wall thickness (RWT). The ARB treatment and the addition of SPRL significantly reduced the blood pressure, however, both treatments did not affect the LV geometry in both groups. The ARB treatment in the subgroups of concentric LV remodeling (RWT>or=0.45 and LVMI<125) and concentric LV hypertrophy (RWT>or=0.45 and LVMI>or=125) significantly reduced RWT. However, ARB treatment in all subgroups did not affect LVMI. The addition of SPRL only in the concentric LV hypertrophy subgroup significantly reduced the LVMI, despite similar changes in blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that the addition of SPRL treatment during the ARB treatment and conventional treatments is clinically useful to reduce the LVMI in hypertensive patients with concentric LV hypertrophy; however, does not improve the eccentric LV hypertrophy.     

Role of angiotensin II type I (AT1 A1166C) receptor polymorphism in susceptibility of left ventricular dysfunction

Background

Left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) with subsequent congestive heart failure (CHF) constitutes the final common pathway for a host of cardiac disorders. The impaired LV function develops in response to an ischemic insult followed by a fall in cardiac output that leads to activation of renin-angiotensin-system (RAS). Angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1), which mediate the vasoconstrictive and salt-conserving actions of the RAS, represent interesting candidate genes for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we conducted an association study between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in AT1 gene and LVD in CAD patients.

Methods and results

The present study recruited a total of 950 subjects including 720 angiography confirmed CAD patients and 230 healthy controls. Among 720 CAD patients, 229 with reduced left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 45%) were categorized as LVD. The AT1 (A1166C, rs5186) polymorphism was determined by ARMS-PCR. Our results showed that the frequency of AT1 1166AC and CC genotypes were significantly higher in LVD patients in comparison to non-LVD (LVEF >45%) patients (p value = 0.003; OR = 1.81 and p value <0.001; OR = 4.33). Further analysis showed that AT1 A1166C polymorphism was significantly associated with LV end diastole (p-value = 0.031), end systole (p-value = 0.038) dimensions, and mean LVEF (p-value = 0.035). Moreover, on comparing the AT1 A1166C polymorphism in CAD patients with healthy controls, we did not find any association both at genotypic and allelic level (p value = 0.927; OR = 1.04 and p value = 0.219; OR = 0.83) respectively.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that AT1 A1166C polymorphism may play significant role in conferring genetic susceptibility of LVD.     

Effects of angiotensin II receptor blockade-based therapy with losartan on left ventricular hypertrophy and geometry in previously treated hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND: The 2003 European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology (ESH/ESC) guidelines recommend angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIRAs) as a first-line therapy in hypertensives with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). AIM: We investigated the long-term effects of an AIIRA-based therapy on left ventricular (LV) structure and geometry in previously, unsatisfactorily treated essential hypertensive patients. METHODS: Sixty-eight consecutive patients referred to our hypertension hospital outpatient clinic with: (i) LVH (LV mass index, LVMI 51 g/m(2.7) in men and 47 g/m(2.7) in women), (ii) uncontrolled clinic blood pressure (BP140 and/or 90 mmHg) and (iii) antihypertensive therapy not including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or AIIRAs were selected for this study. Two-dimensionally guided M-mode echocardiograms were carried out at baseline and after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months of follow-up. In all patients, losartan (50-100 mg/day, mean dose 82 mg/day) was added as first step to the previous therapy. Additional drugs, tailored to the single patient, were added, if necessary, to achieve target BP values (<140/90 mmHg). RESULTS: Overall, 59 patients completed the study with the primary efficacy measurements (LVMI) at all appropriate times. A significant reduction in both clinic systolic BP and diastolic BP was found across the entire period of study respect to baseline (-17/10, -22/12, -24/13 and -26/14 mmHg at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months, p < 0.001 respectively), leading to target clinic BP in 75.6% of cases. LVMI was significantly lower after 1 year of treatment (-11 +/- 12%, p < 0.05) with a further significant reduction at the end of treatment (-22 +/- 18%, p < 0.01). The proportion of patients achieving normalization of LVMI was 47.4% and more importantly, the prevalence of concentric LVH fell from 38.9% to 6.7% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that long-term intensive treatment based on the AIIRA losartan induced a normalization of LVH in about 50% of patients and more importantly caused an almost complete regression of concentric LVH, the most dangerous adaptive pattern. The transition from concentric to normal or eccentric LV geometry may have in these high-risk patients a favourable prognostic implication in addition to the recognized positive effect of reducing LVMI.