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Role of angiotensin in pressure overload-induced hypertrophy in rats: effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, an AT1 receptor antagonist, and surgical reversal.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been proposed to play a major role in causing the heart to hypertrophy during pressure overload. We examined whether blockade of this system by the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors enalapril (0.5 to 20 mg/kg p.o.) or ramipril (1.0 mg/kg p.o.) or the angiotensin receptor (AT1) antagonist losartan (3.0 mg/kg p.o.) could prevent pressure overload-induced hypertrophy. Pressure overload was produced by abdominal aortic constriction in rats. Cardiac hypertrophy was assessed by an increase in the ratio of left ventricular (LV) weight to body weight and total protein content of the left ventricle. Treatment with enalapril or ramipril, initiated 3 weeks after aortic banding and continued for 3 more weeks, failed to prevent the progression or cause regression of cardiac hypertrophy. Treatment for 6 weeks with ramipril initiated immediately after aortic banding also failed to prevent cardiac hypertrophy. Losartan treatment initiated 3 weeks after aortic banding and continued for 3 more weeks resulted in a slight but significant reduction in the extent of cardiac hypertrophy (45.6% hypertrophy in controls and 35.6% hypertrophy in losartan-treated animals, p < 0.05, n = 11 and 10, respectively). Surgical removal of bands 3 weeks after placement reduced cardiac hypertrophy to a greater extent than that observed in losartan-treated animals. These results suggest that angiotensin may not play a major role in causing pressure overload-induced hypertrophy or in maintaining such hypertrophy.

Angiotensin I↗

Quinidine pharmacodynamics in normal and isoproterenol-induced hypertrophied blood-perfused working rabbit hearts.

Ventricular hypertrophy is associated with several electrophysiologic abnormalities. However, little is known about the pharmacodynamics of antiarrhythmic drugs in the setting of ventricular hypertrophy. We studied the myocardial accumulation and pharmacodynamics of quinidine in 10 control rabbit hearts and 10 with isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy. Hearts were perfused in the working heart configuration. Electrophysiologic measurements were made at low afterload (30 cm H2O) and high afterload (60 cm H2O) at baseline and during quinidine perfusion (972 ng/ml). The myocardial quinidine concentration measured at the end of each experiment was significantly lower in the hypertrophied hearts (25.0 +/- 11.7 micrograms/g) as compared with the control hearts (51.2 +/- 12.7 micrograms/g, p < 0.001). The left ventricular (LV) monophasic action potential (MAP) duration was significantly shorter in the hypertrophied hearts as compared with control hearts at low afterload (166 +/- 27 vs. 192 +/- 24 ms, p < 0.01) and at high afterload (141 +/- 7 vs. 171 +/- 24 ms, p < 0.01). Quinidine prolonged MAP duration to a similar extent in both hypertrophied and control hearts; the MAP prolongation occurred at both low (192 +/- 21 vs. 223 +/- 25 ms, p < 0.02) and high afterloads (179 +/- 15 vs. 216 +/- 20 ms, p < 0.01) in the hypertrophied and control hearts, respectively. However, the ratios of the changes in electrophysiologic parameters to quinidine myocardial concentrations were greater in the hypertrophied hearts than in control hearts (p < 0.05). Therefore, AP duration (APD) is significantly shortened in isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy. The magnitude of quinidine effects on MAP duration and ventricular effective refractory period (VERP) are similar in hypertrophied hearts and control hearts, but the myocardial concentration-effect relations are increased significantly in hypertrophied hearts.

Action Potentials↗

Function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and expression of its Ca2(+)-ATPase gene in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy in the rat.

The reduction in Ca2+ concentration during diastole and relaxation occurs differently in normal hearts and in hypertrophied hearts secondary to pressure overload. We have studied some possible molecular mechanisms underlying these differences by examining the function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the expression of the gene encoding its Ca2(+)-ATPase in rat hearts with mild and severe compensatory hypertrophy induced by abdominal aortic constriction. Twelve sham-operated rats and 31 operated rats were studied 1 month after surgery. Eighteen animals exhibited mild hypertrophy (left ventricular wt/body wt less than 2.6) and 13 animals severe hypertrophy (left ventricular wt/body wt greater than 2.6). During hypertrophy we observed a decline in the function of the sarcoplasmic reticulum as assessed by the oxalate-stimulated Ca2+ uptake of homogenates of the left ventricle. Values decreased from 12.1 +/- 1.2 nmol Ca2+/mg protein/min in sham-operated rats to 9.1 +/- 1.5 and 6.7 +/- 1.1 in rats with mild and severe hypertrophy, respectively (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.001, respectively, vs. shams). This decrease was accompanied by a parallel reduction in the number of functionally active CA2(+)-ATPase molecules, as determined by the level of Ca2(+)-dependent phosphorylated intermediate: 58.8 +/- 7.4 and 48.1 +/- 13.5 pmol P/mg protein in mild and severe hypertrophy, respectively, compared with 69.7 +/- 8.2 in shams (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively, vs. shams). Using S1 nuclease mapping, we observed that the Ca2(+)-ATPase messenger RNA (mRNA) from sham-operated and hypertrophied hearts was identical. Finally, the relative level of expression of the Ca2(+)-ATPase gene was studied by dot blot analysis at both the mRNA and protein levels using complementary DNA clones and a monoclonal antibody specific to the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2(+)-ATPase. In mild hypertrophy, the concentrations of Ca2(+)-ATPase mRNA and protein in the left ventricle were unchanged when compared with shams (mRNA, 93.8 +/- 10.6% vs. sham, NS; protein, 105.5 +/- 14% vs. sham, NS). in severe hypertrophy, the concentration of Ca2(+)-ATPase mRNA decreased to 68.7 +/- 12.9% and that of protein to 80.1 +/- 15.5% (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.05, respectively), whereas the total amount of mRNA and enzyme per left ventricle was either unchanged or slightly increased. The slow velocity of relaxation of severely hypertrophied heart can be at least partially explained by the absence of an increase in the expression of the Ca2(+)-ATPase gene and by the relative diminution in the density of the Ca2+ pumps.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

Potentiation of reperfusion-associated ventricular fibrillation by left ventricular hypertrophy.

Important electrophysiological alterations that may predispose hearts to arrhythmias have been described for hypertrophied myocytes, and hypertrophy coupled with ischemia has been associated with an increased incidence of sudden death; however, an influence of hypertrophy on reperfusion arrhythmias has not been previously described. We hypothesized that reperfusion-associated arrhythmias would be potentiated by left ventricular hypertrophy. After induction of renovascular hypertension, 37 awake, unsedated dogs (17 with left ventricular hypertrophy and 20 without hypertrophy) underwent 15 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. All dogs were pretreated with lidocaine bolus injections and with lidocaine by continuous infusion during coronary occlusion and reperfusion. Reperfusion-associated ventricular fibrillation occurred in seven of 17 dogs with left ventricular hypertrophy versus one of 18 dogs without hypertrophy (p less than or equal to 0.05). The presence of hypertension was not significantly associated with an increased incidence of reflow ventricular arrhythmias. Neither QT interval nor area-at-risk was different between the dogs with and without reperfusion ventricular fibrillation; however, increased heart rate just before reperfusion did correlate with an increased incidence of ventricular fibrillation at reperfusion. Thus, 1) left ventricular hypertrophy was associated with a significantly increased incidence of reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation after 15 minutes of ischemia, 2) this increased incidence was independent of the presence of hypertension, and 3) lidocaine protected control and hypertrophied hearts against ventricular fibrillation during ischemia but was ineffective in protecting hypertrophied hearts against reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation.

Animals↗

Exacerbation of left ventricular ischemic diastolic dysfunction by pressure-overload hypertrophy. Modification by specific inhibition of cardiac angiotensin converting enzyme.

Hearts with compensatory pressure-overload hypertrophy show an increased intracardiac activation of angiotensin II that may contribute to ischemic diastolic dysfunction. We studied whether pressure-overload hypertrophy in response to aortic banding would result in exaggerated diastolic dysfunction during low-flow ischemia and whether the specific inhibition of the cardiac angiotensin converting enzyme by enalaprilat would modify systolic and diastolic function during ischemia and reperfusion in either hypertrophied or nonhypertrophied hearts. Isolated, red blood cell-perfused isovolumic nonhypertrophied and hypertrophied rat hearts were subjected to enalaprilat (2.5 x 10(-7) M final concentration) infusion during 20 minutes of baseline perfusion and during 30 minutes of low-flow ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion. Coronary flow per gram was similar in nonhypertrophied and hypertrophied hearts during baseline perfusion, ischemia, and reperfusion. At baseline, left ventricular developed pressure was higher in hypertrophied than nonhypertrophied hearts in untreated groups (224 +/- 8 versus 150 +/- 9 mm Hg; p less than 0.01) and in enalaprilat-treated groups (223 +/- 9 versus 145 +/- 8 mm Hg; p less than 0.01). During low-flow ischemia, left ventricular developed pressure was depressed but similar in all groups. All groups showed deterioration of diastolic function; however, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increased to a significantly higher level in untreated hypertrophied than in nonhypertrophied hearts (65 +/- 7 versus 33 +/- 3 mm Hg; p less than 0.001). Enalaprilat had no effect in nonhypertrophied hearts, but it significantly attenuated the greater increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in hypertrophied hearts treated with enalaprilat compared with no drug (65 +/- 7 versus 50 +/- 5 mm Hg; p less than 0.01). The beneficial effect could not be explained by differences in coronary blood flow per gram left ventricular weight, glycolytic flux as reported by lactate production, myocardial water content, oxygen consumption, and tissue levels of glycogen and high energy phosphate compounds. During reperfusion, all hearts showed a partial recovery of developed pressure to 70-74% of initial values. No effect of enalaprilat could be detected during reperfusion on systolic and diastolic function or restoration of tissue levels of high energy compounds. In conclusion, our experiments show that hypertrophied red blood cell-perfused hearts manifest a severe impairment of left ventricular diastolic relaxation in response to low-flow ischemia in comparison with control hearts. Further, our experiments support the hypothesis that the enhanced conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in rats with pressure-overload hypertrophy contributes to the enhanced sensitivity of hypertrophied hearts to diastolic dysfunction during low-flow ischemia.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Accelerated transmural gradients of energy compound metabolism resulting from left ventricular hypertrophy.

Eighteen dogs underwent transmural left ventricular biopsies for adenosine triphosphate and suturing of the noncoronary cusp, creating valvular aortic stenosis. Three months after aortic stenosis and the subsequent development of left ventricular hypertrophy, animals underwent repeat transmural left ventricular biopsies followed by total myocardial ischemia at 37 degrees C. Left ventricular tissue samples for adenosine triphosphate and lactate levels were determined at 15-minute intervals and compared with 15 control animals. No significant difference between subendocardial and subepicardial adenosine triphosphate levels was found between left ventricular samples taken before left ventricular hypertrophy and 3 months after left ventricular hypertrophy. Significant differences in adenosine triphosphate utilization occurred between subendocardial and subepicardial layers in control and left ventricular hypertrophy myocardium, however. The gradient between the subendocardium and the subepicardium was significantly increased by left ventricular hypertrophy (p less than 0.05). Significant differences also occurred within the same layer when left ventricular hypertrophy and control groups were compared. During total ischemia, lactate concentration was significantly greater within the subendocardium than within the subepicardium in left ventricular hypertrophy. The onset of ischemic contracture was 48.2 +/- 2.1 minutes in left ventricular hypertrophy versus 62.3 +/- 1.8 minutes in control hearts (p less than 0.01). Subendocardial intramyocardial pressure increased significantly earlier than subepicardial in both left ventricular hypertrophy and control hearts. Adenosine triphosphate was used, and lactate accumulated more rapidly in animals with a more pronounced hemodynamic gradient. These data show that after left ventricular hypertrophy, adenosine triphosphate stores in the subendocardium and the subepicardium are unchanged from control values, yet the rates of adenosine triphosphate utilization and lactate accumulation during total ischemia are significantly increased. Furthermore, the subendocardial to subepicardial gradient of adenosine triphosphate utilization during ischemia found in normal hearts is markedly increased by left ventricular hypertrophy.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

The coronary circulation in cardiac hypertrophy.

Left ventricular hypertrophy is a common and important risk factor for cardiac mortality and morbidity. Cardiac hypertrophy adversely affects coronary perfusion because hypertension, its most frequent cause, is a major risk factor for coronary disease, and because cardiac hypertrophy may be associated with myocardial ischemia even in the absence of atheromatous coronary disease due to disturbances in coronary physiology. Several studies have demonstrated impairment of coronary reserve in human and experimental cardiac hypertrophy. Normal autoregulation of coronary flow may be disturbed in cardiac hypertrophy for many reasons, including (a) increased perfusion pressure in hypertension, (b) increased diastolic and systolic left ventricular pressures, in addition to disturbed coronary physiology. Studies undertake in the presence of maximal coronary vasodilatation indicate an increased minimal coronary vascular resistance in hypertrophied hearts. Because such measurements were determined in the presence of maximal coronary vasodilation, they are likely to indicate a reduced arteriolar lumenal cross-sectional area per unit mass of tissue. Studies of cardiac and coronary morphology support an imbalance in myocardial and coronary growth in cardiac hypertrophy, but further evidence is needed to confirm this. Myocardial contraction impairs coronary flow, and available evidence suggests that this systolic impairment may be greater in hypertrophied myocardium, and that this may be an additional factor in limiting coronary flow in hypertrophy. A further important feature of impaired coronary reserve in cardiac hypertrophy is its distribution. Studies using radiolabeled microspheres indicate that coronary reserve is reduced in endocardial regions to a much greater extent than epicardial regions. Previously, treatment of conditions such as hypertension, which are commonly associated with hypertrophy, have concentrated on correction of the main defect. It is important to bear in mind, however, that such treatments may have direct and indirect effects on the coronary circulation, which may have an important bearing on preserving myocardial function. An important aspect of future research will be to determine the effects of treatment on coronary perfusion.

Aged↗

Energy metabolism and mechanical recovery after cardioplegia in moderately hypertrophied rats.

It is well established that severe hypertrophy induces metabolic and structural changes in the heart which result in enhanced susceptibility to ischemic damage during cardioplegic arrest while much less is known about the effect of cardioplegic arrest on moderately hypertrophied hearts. The aim of this study was to elucidate the differences in myocardial high energy phosphate metabolism and in functional recovery after cardioplegic arrest and ischemia in mildly hypertrophied hearts, before any metabolic alterations could be shown under baseline conditions. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in rats by constriction of the abdominal aorta resulting in 20% increase in heart weight/body weight ratio (hypertrophy group) while sham operated animals served as control. In both groups, isolated hearts were perfused under normoxic conditions for 40 min followed by infusion of St.Thomas' Hospital No. 1 cardioplegia and 90 min ischemia at 25 degrees C with infusions of cardioplegia every 30 min. The changes in ATP, phosphocreatine (PCr) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) were followed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Systolic and diastolic function was assessed with an intraventricular balloon before and after ischemia. Baseline concentrations of PCr, ATP and Pi as well as coronary flow and cardiac function were not different between the two groups. However, after cardioplegic arrest PCr concentration increased to 61.8+/-4.9 micromol/g dry wt in the control group and to 46.3+/-2.8 micromol/g in hypertrophied hearts. Subsequently PCr, pH and ATP decreased gradually, concomitant with an accumulation of Pi in both groups. PCr was transiently restored during each infusion of cardioplegic solution while Pi decreased. PCr decreased faster after cardioplegic infusions in hypertrophied hearts. The most significant difference was observed during reperfusion: PCr recovered to its pre-ischemic levels within 2 min following restoration of coronary flow in the control group while similar recovery was observed after 4 min in the hypertrophied hearts. A greater deterioration of diastolic function was observed in hypertrophied hearts. Moderate hypertrophy, despite absence of metabolic changes under baseline conditions could lead to enhanced functional deterioration after cardioplegic arrest and ischemia. Impaired energy metabolism resulting in accelerated high energy phosphate depletion during ischemia and delayed recovery of energy equilibrium after cardioplegic arrest observed in hypertrophied hearts could be one of the underlying mechanisms.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

Functional and structural changes of rat plantaris motoneurons following compensatory hypertrophy of the muscle.

The conduction velocity and histological structure of motoneurons innervating normal and hypertrophied rat plantaris muscles were investigated. Hypertrophy was produced by ablation of synergist muscles. Single motor units were obtained by ventral root dissection and conduction velocities measured. The structure of neurons was investigated following retrograde labeling with horseradish peroxidase. A combined silver, gold and cholinesterase staining method was developed to study the motor endplate. In addition, the peripheral nerve was fixed, embedded in Araldite, and sectioned for determination of axonal size and myelin thickness. Conduction velocity of motor axons decreased following hypertrophy of the skeletal muscle (control CV = 75.8 +/- 8.9 m s-1, n = 94, hypertrophy CV = 69.0 +/- 12.3 m s-1, n = 84). However, no alteration in the size of motor axons or myelin thickness could account for this alteration in conduction velocity. Mean motoneuronal soma size decreased following muscle hypertrophy (soma diameter: control 36.1 +/- 4.6 microns, n = 283, hypertrophy 32.9 +/- 4.5 microns, n = 294). The complexity of the motor endplate increased following hypertrophy with an increased occurrence of nodal sprouts. In addition, the area of cholinesterase staining increased following hypertrophy (control 588.1 +/- 297.2 microns 2, n = 269, hypertrophy 857.7 +/- 357.0 microns 2, n = 269). This study found that both the morphological and physiological parameters of motoneurons innervating a hypertrophied muscle were shifted toward those of normal rat slow motor units.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Effect of chronotropic and inotropic stimulation on the coronary pressure-flow relation in left ventricular hypertrophy.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) secondary to chronic pressure overload is associated with increased susceptibility to myocardial hypoperfusion and ischemia during increased cardiac work. The present study was performed to study the effects of chronotropic and inotropic stimulation on the coronary pressure-flow relation of the hypertrophied left ventricle of dogs and to determine the individual contributions of increases in heart rate and contractility to the exaggerated exercise-induced increases in effective back pressure (pressure at zero flow; Pzf). Ascending aortic banding in seven dogs increased the LV to body weight ratio to 7.7 +/- 0.3 g/kg compared to 4.8 +/- 0.2 g/kg in 10 normal dogs (p < or = 0.01). Maximum coronary vasodilation was produced by intracoronary infusion of adenosine. During resting conditions maximum coronary blood flow in the pressure overloaded hypertrophied left ventricle was impaired by both an increase in Pzf (25.1 +/- 2.6 vs 13.8 +/- 1.2 mmHg in hypertrophied vs normal ventricles, respectively, p < or = 0.01) and a decrease in maximum coronary conductance (slope of the linear part of the pressure-flow relation, slopep > or = linear) (8.6 +/- 1.1 vs 12.7 +/- 0.9 ml/min/mmHg, p < or = 0.01). Right atrial pacing at 200 and 250 beats/min resulted in similar rightward shifts of the pressure-flow relation in hypertrophied and normal hearts with 3.1 +/- 0.8 and 4.7 +/- 0.8 mmHg increases in Pzf in LVH and normal dogs, respectively; stepwise multivariate regression analysis indicated that the exaggerated decrease in filling pressure (10 +/- 2 vs 6 +/-2 mmHg) and decrease in left ventricular systolic pressure (45 +/- 5 vs 3 +/- 3 mmHg, p < or = 0.01) may have blunted a greater rightward shift of the pressure-flow relation produced by atrial pacing in the hypertrophied hearts. Inotropic stimulation with dobutamine (10-20 micrograms/kg/min, i.v.) resulted in minimal flow changes in normal hearts but produced a 4.4 +/- 1.5 mmHg (p < or = 0.05) rightward shift of the pressure-flow relation in hypertrophied hearts. which correlated with a greater increase in left ventricular systolic pressure (83 +/- 16 vs 18 +/- 4 mmHg. p < or = 0.05). Exercise resulted in a rightward shift in both normal and hypertrophied left ventricles, but the increase in Pzf was significantly greater in the hypertrophied hearts (15.2 +/- 0.9 vs 10.3 +/- 0.9 mmHg. p < or = 0.05). Stepwise multivariate regression analysis indicated that not only increases in left ventricular filling pressure, but also increases in heart rate and LV systolic pressure contributed to the abnormally great increase in effective coronary back pressure which results in limitation of myocardial perfusion during exercise in the pressure overloaded hypertrophied left ventricle.

Adenosine↗

Intracellular pH during hypoxia in normal and hypertrophied right ventricle of ferret heart.

The effects of preventing oxidative phosphorylation on pHi were compared in papillary muscles from right ventricles of normal and pressure-overloaded ferret hearts. Hypertrophy was induced by pulmonary artery clipping for 30-45 days. pHi was recorded with pH-sensitive microelectrodes. Resting pHi and the relationship between intracellular buffering power and pHi were not modified by the hypertrophy. At 22 degrees C, the initial intracellular alkalosis following exposure to oxygen-free Tyrode solution (containing the reducing agent sodium dithionite, 1 mM), as well as the transient acidosis on return to oxygenated solution, were reduced in hypertrophied papillary muscles. During hypoxia, exposure to alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (5 mM) induced a larger intracellular acidification in hypertrophied than in control muscle. The initial alkalosis during hypoxia and the extra acidification on recovery from hypoxia were also significantly reduced in hypertrophied muscles at 35 degrees C. Moreover, the acidification during hypoxia was markedly accentuated in hypertrophied preparations at this temperature. [Mg2+]i and [Ca2+]i were also measured during metabolic inhibition, using mag-fura-2 and fura-2 respectively, in isolated cells from control and hypertrophied right ventricles. Hypertrophy increased the resting level of [Ca2+]i and of [Mg2+]i by a factor of 2.5 (P < 0.001) and 1.3 (P < 0.05) respectively. Upon application of 15 mM 2-deoxyglucose, [Mg2+]i was increased to a similar extent in control and hypertrophied cells. It is concluded that right ventricular hypertrophy could modify creatine phosphate metabolism and the capacity to recruit anaerobic glycolysis.

Animals↗

Canine left ventricular hypertrophy predisposes to ventricular tachycardia induction by phase 2 early afterdepolarizations after administration of BAY K 8644.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the longer duration of ventricular action potentials in hypertrophied hearts predisposes to the development of early after-depolarizations and triggered ventricular tachyarrhythmias. BACKGROUND: For unknown reasons, the incidence of sudden death is greater in patients with myocardial hypertrophy. METHODS: We measured left ventricular monophasic action potentials in normal dogs and dogs with left ventricular hypertrophy before and after administration of the calcium agonist BAY K 8644 and the potassium channel blocker cesium. RESULTS: We demonstrated longer action potential durations in dogs with than in those without left ventricular hypertrophy. Also, BAY K 8644 produced phase 2 early afterdepolarizations and ventricular tachyarrhythmias more frequently in the dogs with than in those without left ventricular hypertrophy. Phenylephrine, an alpha agonist, further increased the action potential duration in hypertrophied hearts and the propensity to develop early afterdepolarizations and ventricular tachyarrhythmia after administration of BAY K 8644. Control and hypertrophied hearts developed early afterdepolarizations and ventricular tachyarrhythmia equally when exposed to cesium. CONCLUSIONS: Although in vitro studies have shown that fibers of hypertrophied ventricular myocardium can develop triggered activity as a result of both early and late afterdepolarizations, the present study is the first to show in vivo that the hypertrophied ventricular myocardium compared with the normal ventricle is predisposed to develop phase 2 early afterdepolarizations that appear to trigger ventricular tachyarrhythmia. It is possible that such a mechanism contributes to the development of ventricular tachyarrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. If this is shown to be true, specific pharmacologic interventions can be suggested.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗

Left ventricular hypertrophy: effect on survival.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine whether left ventricular hypertrophy has an independent adverse effect on survival. BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy is considered to be a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease mortality; however, the impact of coexisting coronary artery stenosis on survival statistics is not clear. METHODS: The relations among electrocardiographic (ECG) left ventricular hypertrophy, ST-T segment abnormality, coronary artery disease and survival were examined in 18,969 patients undergoing coronary arteriography between 1972 and 1985. Patients were excluded if they underwent coronary revascularization or had unstable angina, rheumatic or congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, pericardial disease or ECG changes other than left ventricular hypertrophy or repolarization abnormalities, leaving 4,824 patients for analysis. RESULTS: Left ventricular hypertrophy was present in 249 patients, whereas 4,575 were free of left ventricular hypertrophy. Five-year survival was 90.2% in the group without left ventricular hypertrophy and was significantly lower (81.9%, p < 0.001) in the group with left ventricular hypertrophy. Five-year survival was significantly lower in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, regardless of whether coronary artery disease was present: 84.4% versus 94.5% (p = 0.016) in the absence of coronary artery disease and 81.0% versus 87.7% (p < 0.001) in the presence of coronary artery disease. The presence of ST segment abnormalities was not associated with a significant reduction in survival in patients without coronary disease, although mortality was less in those without ST changes who had coronary disease (p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that ECG left ventricular hypertrophy has an adverse effect on survival, even in patients who are free of coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

Usefulness of B-type natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein in predicting the presence or absence of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with systemic hypertension.

The diagnosis of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, an independent predictor of death and cardiovascular events, is difficult without using echocardiography. This study tested the hypothesis whether C-reactive protein (CRP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) would be useful to exclude echocardiographic LV hypertrophy. Consecutive hypertensive outpatients were asked to participate. Exclusion criteria were overt heart failure, severe renal insufficiency or any other severe concomitant illness. A venous blood sample was taken to measure plasma CRP and BNP concentrations. Echocardiographic LV hypertrophy was defined as LV mass > or =125 g/m2 for men and > or =110 g/m2 for women. In total, 320 patients were studied, and 37 patients (12%) had echocardiographic LV hypertrophy. Patients with LV hypertrophy were significantly older and had higher CRP and BNP concentrations and higher systolic blood pressure than those without LV hypertrophy. The optimal cut-off points for the diagnosis of LV hypertrophy were 35 pg/ml for BNP (sensitivity 73%, specificity 72%) and 2.5 mg/L for CRP (sensitivity 68%, specificity 59%). Only 1 of 123 patients with values of BNP and CRP less than the optimal cut-off point had echocardiographic LV hypertrophy, resulting in a high negative predictive value of 99% for the 2 blood tests combined to exclude LV hypertrophy. In conclusion, in hypertensive patients, echocardiographic LV hypertrophy can be excluded on the basis of a single blood sample for the determination of BNP and CRP.

Adult↗

Effect of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy on left ventricular systolic function in systemic hypertension (The LIFE Study). Losartan Intervention For Endpoint.

Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction is normal in most patients with uncomplicated hypertension, but the prevalence and correlates of decreased LV systolic chamber and myocardial function, as assessed by midwall mechanics, in hypertensive patients identified as being at high risk by the presence of LV hypertrophy on the electrocardiogram has not been established. Therefore echocardiograms were obtained in 913 patients with stage I to III hypertension and LV hypertrophy determined by electrocardiographic (Cornell voltage duration or Sokolow-Lyon voltage) criteria after 14 days' placebo treatment. The 913 patients' mean age was 66 years, and 42% were women. Fourteen percent had subnormal LV endocardial shortening, 24% had subnormal midwall shortening, and 13% had reduced stress-corrected midwall shortening. Nineteen percent had normal LV geometry, 11% had concentric remodeling, 47% had eccentric hypertrophy, and 23% had concentric hypertrophy. LV systolic performance evaluated by LV endocardial shortening and midwall shortening was impaired in 10% of patients with normal geometry, 20% with concentric remodeling, 27% with eccentric hypertrophy, and 42% with concentric hypertrophy. Relative wall thickness, an important independent correlate of LV chamber function, was related directly to endocardial shortening and negatively to midwall shortening and stress-corrected midwall shortening. LV mass was the strongest independent correlate of impaired endocardial shortening, midwall shortening, or both. In hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic LV hypertrophy, indexes of systolic performance are subnormal in 10% to 42% with different LV geometric patterns. Depressed endocardial shortening is most common in patients with eccentric LV hypertrophy, whereas impaired midwall shortening is most prevalent in patients with concentric remodeling or hypertrophy. Thus, in hypertensive patients with electrocardiographic LV hypertrophy, impaired LV performance occurs most often, and is associated with greater LV mass and relative wall thickness and may contribute to the high rate of cardiovascular events.

Aged↗

Significance of QTc prolongation on ventricular arrhythmias in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to essential hypertension.

The present study was designed to detect the arrhythmogenic effect of left ventricular hypertrophy, QTc prolongation and the relationship between the QTc duration and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to essential hypertension. Sixty-eight hypertensive patients (51 male and 17 female, mean age 52+/-6 years) and 30 healthy normotensive subjects (22 male and eight female, mean age 49+/-6 years) were enrolled in the study. The frequency of ventricular arrhythmias was investigated with 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring and grade 3 and 4 ventricular arrhythmias according to a modified Lown and Wolf classification were accepted as complex arrhythmias. The echocardiographic features of the patients were divided into five groups as follows: (1) normal left ventricular diameter and wall thickness, (2) concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, (3) asymmetric septal hypertrophy, (4) dilated left ventricle, (5) dilated and hypertrophic left ventricle. The frequency of complex ventricular ectopia and the QTc duration were estimated for each group and compared with Student's t-test. Left ventricular hypertrophy was detected in 38 of 68 patients (56%) with essential hypertension. In patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, the incidence of complex ventricular arrhythmias was two- and fivefold higher compared with patients without left ventricular hypertrophy and with controls, respectively. All of the patients with echocardiographic left ventricular dilatation had experienced complex ventricular arrhythmias. QTc duration correlated positively with left ventricular mass index and left ventricular internal diastolic dimension. The highest QTc intervals were detected in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and complex arrhythmias. In patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, a QTc duration longer than 380 ms had a sensitivity of 74% and a specificity of 89% for detecting complex ventricular arrhythmias. It is concluded that patients with left ventricular hypertrophy have a higher incidence of complex ventricular arrhythmias and QTc prolongation in those patients can be a good marker for the increased risk of arrhythmias.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Increased left ventricular mass and hypertrophy are associated with increased risk for sudden death.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the relations of echocardiographically determined left ventricular (LV) mass and hypertrophy to the risk of sudden death. BACKGROUND: Echocardiographic LV hypertrophy is associated with increased risk for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the association of echocardiographic LV hypertrophy with sudden death. METHODS: We examined the relations of LV mass and hypertrophy to the incidence of sudden death in 3,661 subjects enrolled in the Framingham Heart Study who were > or =40 years of age. The baseline examination was performed from 1979 to 1983 and LV hypertrophy was defined as LV mass (adjusted for height) > 143 g/m in men and > 102 g/m in women. During up to 14 years of follow-up there were 60 sudden deaths. Cox models examined the relations of LV mass and LV hypertrophy to sudden death risk after adjusting for known risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of LV hypertrophy was 21.5%. The risk factor-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for sudden death was 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10 to 1.92, p=0.008) for each 50-g/m increment in LV mass. For LV hypertrophy, the risk factor-adjusted HR for sudden death was 2.16 (95% CI 1.22 to 3.81, p=0.008). After excluding the first 4 years of follow-up, both increased LV mass and LV hypertrophy conferred long-term risk of sudden death (HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.28, p=0.047 and HR 3.28, 95% CI 1.58 to 6.83, p=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increased LV mass and hypertrophy are associated with increased risk for sudden death after accounting for known risk factors.

Adult↗

Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in a general population; The Tromsø Study.

AIMS: Left ventricular hypertrophy has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity. Acknowledging the skewed distribution of left ventricular mass, we wanted to develop criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy based on percentiles of left ventricular mass, and observe the effect on estimates of left ventricular hypertrophy prevalences in different subgroups and on the relationship to cardiovascular risk factors in a general population. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a population-based sample of 3287 subjects aged 25-85 years, left ventricular mass was estimated using M-mode echocardiography. A 'healthy' subgroup was used as a reference sample to define sex-specific left ventricular hypertrophy criteria. Sex-specific 97.5 percentiles for left ventricular mass by height, based on the reference sample, were 145.5 and 125.4 g.m(-1), for men and women, respectively. The prevalences of left ventricular hypertrophy in the total population were 14.9% for men and 9.1% for women. The main independent predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy were male gender, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, valvular heart disease, cardiovascular disease and antihypertensive medication. Body mass index and systolic blood pressure had a strong synergistic association with left ventricular hypertrophy in men, but not in women. CONCLUSION: An alternative framework for defining left ventricular hypertrophy is provided. Body mass index is the culprit factor for risk of left ventricular hypertrophy. Our study indicates that weight reduction is a relevant measure for treatment and possibly prevention of left ventricular hypertrophy in a substantial part of the general population.

Adult↗