HYPERTENSION, LEFT-VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY, VENTRICULAR ECTOPY, AND SUDDEN-DEATH

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common sequela of sustained arterial hypertension, although the correlation between spot blood pressure measurements and LV mass is not a close one. LVH has been shown to be a powerful blood pressure-independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. LVH has been shown to trigger or to accelerate ventricular dysrhythmias, although the connection between ventricular dysrhythmias and sudden death is poorly documented. LVH can be reduced by specific antihypertensive therapy; however, not all drugs are equipotent in this regard. A reduction of LVH has been shown to be associated with a suppression of ventricular dysrhythmias. Preliminary studies also indicate that the reduction of LVH may reduce its inherent excessive morbidity and mortality.