LEFT-VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY IN HYPERTENS ION

Left ventricular hypertrophy associated with hypertension is character ised by an increase in ventricular mass, secondary to hypertrophy of m yocardial cells and to the development of collagen tissue and capillar ies. Easily detectable by electrocardiography, it occurs in 30 to 60% of hypertension patients, in a concentric form with symmetric or assym etric thickening of the walls, or in an eccentric form with dilatation of the ventricular cavity. It impairs the functional properties of th e myocardium, first affecting diastolic function then, later, systolic function. It interferes with the coronary circulation, with a decreas e in coronary reserves and hypoperfusion of subendocardial layers. It predisposes to the onset of ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmi as. It is a major and independent risk factor, severely marring the pr ognosis of hypertension sufferers.