title: Beta blockers & left ventricular hypertrophy regression.
abstract: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) particularly in hypertensive patients is a strong predictor of adverse cardiovascular events. Identifying LVH not only helps in the prognostication but also in the choice of therapeutic drugs. The prevalence of LVH is age linked and has a direct correlation to the severity of hypertension. Adequate control of blood pressure, most importantly central aortic pressure and blocking the effects of cardiomyocyte stimulatory growth factors like Angiotensin II helps in regression of LVH. Among the various antihypertensives ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are more potent than other drugs in regressing LVH. Beta blockers especially the newer cardio selective ones do still have a role in regressing LVH albeit a minor one. A meta-analysis of various studies on LVH regression shows many lacunae. There have been no consistent criteria for defining LVH and documenting LVH regression. This article reviews current evidence on the role of Beta Blockers in LVH regression.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, The Madras Medical Mission, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Mullasari S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ajit
authors.forename: Georgi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abraham
mesh_terms: D058671:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077405:Irbesartan; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D017257:Ramipril / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012043:Regression, Psychology; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D058671:Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000804:Angiotensin II; D001262:Atenolol; D000077405:Irbesartan; D017257:Ramipril