The structural and electrical remodeling of myocardium in LVH and its impact on the QRS voltage.
Electrocardiographically detected left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and echocardiographically detected left ventricular hypertrophy are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk, both are defined as cardiac target organ damage in hypertensive patients. However, in clinical practice the preference is given to echocardiography and the discrepant electrocardiographic (ECG) findings are underestimated or even neglected in clinical decision-making. The aim of this opinion paper was to present a view on the relation between the increased left ventricular mass and discrepant ECG findings in hypertensive patients. The concept of the "relative voltage deficit" in hypertension and in LVH assessment is presented. The current knowledge on the structural and electrical remodeling in LVH is discussed in the context of changes of active and passive electrical properties of myocardium, underlying the changes in QRS amplitude in LVH.
Bacharova
Ljuba
L
International Laser Center, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. bacharova@ilc.sk
D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D009206:Myocardium