Ventricular function following drug-induced regression of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy.
Drug-induced regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) due to arterial hypertension is generally accompanied by improved cavity filling because of changes in the structural and functional determinants of diastolic efficiency. In hypertensive patients in whom regression of LVH is achieved, systolic function also improves in the long term, at least when the therapeutic drug used is an ACE inhibitor. That the return to pretreatment blood pressures which occurs upon sudden withdrawal of medication is not accompanied by similar deterioration of ventricular function suggests regression of histological remodeling (i.e., not only a reduction in myocyte and interstitial volume, but also the amelioration of endothelial dysfunction and structural alterations in coronary microcirculation).
Division of Cardiology, Galician General Hospital, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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González-Juanatey
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González-Juanatey