Lack of increased left main coronary artery dimensions in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary artery disease. An intracoronary ultrasound study

Objectives - Left main coronary artery dimensions were evaluated in patients with and without arterial hypertension, in the presence of coronary artery disease, and correlated to left ventricular mass. Methods and results - Intracoronary ultrasound was performed in 25 patients (pts) with coronary artery disease and hypertension (+HTN) and in 25 pts; with coronary artery disease only (-HTN). Maximal left main dimensions and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were measured. +HTN pts had greater LVMI compared to -HTN, (+HTN = 183 +/- 17 g/m(2) vs. -HTN = 82 +/- 22 g/m(2), p < 0.0001), while maximal left main vessel area was similar (25.99 +/- 5.01 mm(2) vs. 25.62 +/- 3.3 mm(2), p = 0.8). No correlation was found between LVMI and left main vessel area in +HTN. Conclusions - Pts with +HTN despite the increased LVMI do not manifest increased LM dimensions. This may affect mid-term clinical outcome.