Chest, Vol 88, 194S-196S, Copyright © 1985 by American College of Chest Physicians

ARTICLES

Reversal of left ventricular hypertrophy by drug treatment of hypertension

RC Schlant

Both essential hypertension and the development of left ventricular hypertrophy are multifactorial. Several types of hypertrophy may develop. There is evidence that different agents used to treat hypertension may cause varying degrees of regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. In many instances in which regression of left ventricular hypertrophy has occurred in human subjects, there has been an associated improvement in echocardiographic evidence of ventricular function. Although most current evidence suggests that therapy should aim at both the control of blood pressure and the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, one should be aware that an individual who is successfully treated for hypertension with a regimen that also produces regression of the compensatory left ventricular hypertrophy may be more susceptible to left ventricular failure if the severe hypertension should ever recur from whatever cause.