[Course of the left ventricular mass in a population of 893 hypertensive patients. Effects of treatment with perindopril].

Left ventricular hypertrophy is now recognized to be a major and independent risk factor of mortality and morbidity. Although all classes of antihypertensives are able to reduce left ventricular mass, two recent metaanalyses have shown that ACE inhibitors are the most effective. The antihypertensive efficacy of perindopril in man is accompanied with a significant improvement in the functional properties of large arteries and with a reduction of LVH. This study was designed to assess the course of left ventricular mass by echocardiography in a population of 893 hypertensive patients with moderate left ventricular hypertrophy, treated with perindopril for 3 months. A significant fall in blood pressure was observed by the 6th week. The morphological and functional echocardiographic parameters on a large population provided more valid statistical results than in a small series. The left ventricular cavity was found to undergo symmetrical remodelling, adapted to the new haemodynamic status. The reduction of the thickness of the wall was in line with the reduction of the size of the ventricular chamber, and left ventricular mass was reduced by 8% (p < 0.001). Systolic function was preserved and diastolic function was improved. In particular, the E/A ratio was increased by 8% (p < 0.001) and the duration of isometric relaxation was decreased by 11 ms (p < 0.02). This improvement of filling was confirmed by the reduction of the diameter of the left atrium by 0.2 mm (p < 0.001). This open study in 893 patients therefore confirmed that perindopril corrects LVH in hypertensive patients.