[Ventricular arrhythmia in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy].

Left ventricular hypertrophy is a problem in itself in patients with hypertension. Hypertensives with left ventricular hypertrophy have a higher incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. This article reviews the epidemiological evidence in favour of this association. Although the mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy in unclear, several hypotheses have been suggested including cellular electrophysiological changes, alterations of the myocardial tissue and silent myocardial ischemia. The management of ventricular arrhythmias in hypertensive patients implies an effort to prevent left ventricular hypertrophy by early and aggressive treatment and a judicious choice of antihypertensive agents capable of reducing left ventricular hypertrophy. It is also important to avoid hypokalemia and other electrolytic disorders. Antiarrhythmic drugs should be reserved for symptomatic patients who do not respond to other preventive measures.