Prognostic significance of geometric patterns of left ventricular hypertrophy in a 12-year cohort study

Objective. The contribution of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality is well established but the prognostic role of structural LVH patterns in the population is ambiguous. The aim of the work — to study the prognostic value of geometric variants of LVH in a 12-year cohort study.

Design and methods. The study design—cross-sectional and cohort studies—based on the material from a series of echocardiographic examinations (Echo) in general population samples in Novosibirsk city. The cohort analysis included 2006 men and women 25–64 years old with special concerns about LVH (according to the criterion of increased myocardial mass index (IMM)) and for geometric variants of LVH. The mean follow-up period was of 12,2 years (SD = 3,2) and 220 endpoints (90 CVD deaths) were registered. The risk of incident fatal and nonfatal CVD and death was assessed by Cox regression analysis.

Results. In the studied sample, the prevalence of LVH was of 22,8% (lower in men than in women, p < 0,001). Population-specific criteria for increased IMM were 124 g/m² (men) and 100 g/m² (women). LVH independently increased the 12-year risk of myocardial infarction (MI) by 1,8 times, fatal MI — by 2 times, fatal CVD — by 1,8 times and all-cause mortality — by 1,6 times. Concentric and disproportional septal forms of LVH (DS LVH) had the most unfavorable prognosis; 40–80% of the excess-risk of CVD and death in these variants was explained by myocardial mass, but the impact of DS LVH was maintained independently of left ventricle myocardial mass. The pattern of segmental LVH (based on additional 2D measurement of the thickest segment) increased the risk of CVD and mortality by 1,9–2,5 times in men.

Conclusions. In a population sample aged 25–64 years (Novosibirsk), LVH independently increased the 12-year risk of MI, fatal CVD and death from all causes by 1,6–2 times. Among the geometric types of LVH, concentric and DS LVH had the most unfavorable prognostic value; the impact of DS LVH to the risk of fatal CVD remained significant independently of myocardial mass. The pattern of segmental LVH based on additional 2D Echo measurements, increased the risk of CVD and death by 2–2,5 times. CVD risk and mortality levels depending on the LVH patterns suggest a number of preventive measures against cardiovascular complications and mortality.

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