title: An electrocardiographic--pathologic correlative study on left axis deviation in hypertensive hearts.
abstract: We performed an electrocardiographic-pathologic correlative study using the step sectioning method in 35 autopsy specimens from patients with hypertension. Eleven out of 12 cases (91.7%) in Group 1 had severe lesions at LBBa or the His bundle and we propose that LAD in excess of -30 degrees is a good criterion in hypertension for LAH. There were six cases in all with severe lesions at both radiations of the LBB. In one case of Group 1, LAD is suggested to be due to slower conduction at the LBBa than at the LBBp and findings in five cases of Groups 2 and 3 led us to speculate that there was no LAD because of cancellation between the LBBa and the LBBp. Histopathology revealed fibrosis, degeneration, bleeding, and calcification which pathogenetically may derive from mechanical strain effected by hypertension, and metabolic changes in cases with chronic renal failure.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002036:Bundle of His / Q000473:pathology; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000473:pathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size