Pathophysiological principles of the relation between myocardial hypertrophy of the left ventricle and its regression.
Hypertrophy of the left heart ventricle as a consequence of a haemodynamic overload is a process of ambiguous biological value. Although hypertrophy allows to increase the performance of the ventricle without substantial elevation in wall tension, it represents a risk factor of cardiac morbidity and mortality. The regression of hypertrophy seems to be a rational outcome of this ambivalent situation. Not every reversal of hypertrophied muscle mass, however, can be unambiguously considered therapeutic success. The biological value of hypertrophy regression depends on the type of hypertrophy, on the level of deterioration of the heart by a long-lasting haemodynamic overload, as well as on the way in which the reversal of hypertrophy is achieved. Even in the case when functional characteristics are preserved or even improved compared to the hypertrophied heart, hypertrophy regression need not automatically mean a decrease of the cardiovascular risk induced by ventricular hypertrophy. Regression of hypertrophy may be even disadvantageous in those situations when reduction of hypertrophy and reduction of the haemodynamic overload proceed in a disproportional manner. Spontaneously developing regression of the hypertrophied left ventricle as demonstrated on the model of aortal insufficiency, is an explicitly pathological state, resulting in heart failure. Regression of myocardial hypertrophy should not be considered the primary therapeutic aim but rather a part of the management of haemodynamic overload of the heart. The main aim is to achieve optimal perfusion of the periphery, yet at the same time to provide such conditions which would prevent the working load of the heart to become a limiting factor of survival.
Simko
F
F
Department of Pathophysiology, Medical Faculty, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents