Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension.

Left ventricular hypertrophy is an ominous prognostic factor for all the cardiovascular complications of hypertension. Treatment has undoubtedly improved the outlook, particularly in patients with congestive cardiac failure. It has recently been shown that the hypertrophy process itself can be regressed by control of hypertension. The principal factor of importance in this regression process is the fall in blood pressure. Although experimental studies suggest that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) both play a role in regression, clinical studies in this regard are suggestive but not conclusive. Left ventricular function appears well preserved with the control of blood pressure and parallel reduction in pressure and left ventricular mass is likely to have no adverse effect on myocardial perfusion. The implications of regression of hypertrophy and the patient's long term prognosis have not yet been determined.