Chronic beta 1-blockade and control of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of chronic beta-blocking therapy (atenolol 100 mg/d) on ECG and ECG indexes of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive patients. Seventy one subjects with essential hypertension (mean age 47 y) were studied for 5 years. Sokolow-Lyon voltage criteria for ECGLVH (S wave in V1 plus R wave in V5 greater than or equal to 35 mm) were employed in: 38 treated patients with ECGLVH, 12 treated patients without ECGLVH and 21 untreated patients with ECGLVH. Beta-blocking therapy significantly reduced blood pressure (BP) in the treated patients. In the patients with ECGLVH, treatment significantly improved Sokolow-Lyon Index (SLI) reducing it from 55.04 +/- 16.2 mm to 47.6 +/- 15.04 mm (p less than 0.05) but only 11.4% of the treated patients returned within the normality range (SLI less than 35 mm). No significant change was present in the treated patients without ECGLVH. On the contrary, the group of untreated patients showed an increase in SLI from 45.19 +/- 7.08 mm to 50.52 +/- 11.09 mm (p less than 0.05) and no change in hypertension levels. We conclude, therefore, that: ineffective BP control allows progression of LVH; BP reduction by beta-blocking drugs reduces LVH but does not produce complete regression of the hypertrophy, if not in the early stages; if no LVH is present, BP control by these drugs prevents LVH. We emphasize the importance of early detection and treatment of hypertension.
D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D006332:Cardiomegaly / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D001262:Atenolol