title: The prevalence of supraventricular arrhythmias with regard to the type and degree of left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertensive heart disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the correlation between the type and degree of left ventricular hypertrophy and the prevalence of supraventricular arrhythmias in patients with hypertensive heart disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 179 patients (79 men, 100 women, aged 43-80 years, median 68 years) with left ventricular hypertrophy. Patients were classified into three groups (concentric, eccentric and asymmetric types of hypertrophy) and into three subgroups (mild, moderate and severe hypertrophy). After discontinuation of all medication for 48 h, blood pressure was measured, electrocardiography and echocardiography performed and the prevalence of supraventricular arrhythmias assessed using Holter monitoring and bicycle ergometry. Antihypertensive drugs and duration of previous treatment were taken into consideration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Atrial fibrillation or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia were found in 43% of patients. The analysis showed no significant correlation between the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and/or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and the degree (P = 0.607) and type of left ventricular hypertrophy (P = 0.455). However, the frequency of supraventricular premature beats was higher in the concentric and eccentric types than in the asymmetric type (P = 0.048) and increased with the degree of hypertrophy (significantly in men with the concentric type, P = 0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concentric and eccentric types of left ventricular hypertrophy have a greater impact on the frequency of atrial arrhythmias. In the concentric type the prevalence of supraventricular premature beats correlates with the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy. Patients with moderate and severe concentric and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy should be always tested using Holter monitoring and bicycle ergometry and treated with the maximum tolerable doses of antihypertensives, particularly with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers.
authors: Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Health Centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. juraj_kunisek@net.hr
authors: Juraj
authors: J
authors: Kunisek
authors: Luka
authors: L
authors: Zaputovic
authors: Marta Zuvic
authors: MZ
authors: Butorac
authors: Leon
authors: L
authors: Kunisek
authors: Ksenija
authors: K
authors: Lukin-Eskinja
authors: Rade
authors: R
authors: Karlavaris
authors: Irena
authors: I
authors: Bruketa-Markic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents