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The influence of hemodynamic factors on left ventricular mass

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 22, pages 126–128 (2008)Cite this article

We evaluated the relationship between the variability in the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and different hemodynamic factors. LVMI was associated with blood pressure and, in one subgroup, strongly to arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV). High physical activity was connected to increased LVMI, and a combination of low stroke index (SI) and high heart rate (HR) to decreased LVMI. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, and it is, actually, a stronger risk factor than blood pressure (BP), smoking or cholesterol.1 Several hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic factors are associated with LVH. Regarding hemodynamic and demographic factors, the most important independent determinants of the left ventricular mass (LVM) among Chinese have been shown to be stroke volume (SV), systolic arterial pressure (SBP), end-systolic meridional stress to volume ratio (representing myocardial contractility), aortic root diameter and body mass index (BMI).2 The Strong Heart Study with American Indian participants suggested that SV, contractility index and SBP are somewhat equal and best independent correlates of LVM.3 Arterial stiffness can be estimated by measuring the arterial PWV. Arterial stiffening is considered an adverse change, since it is related to all-cause and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients.4 There are insufficient data about arterial stiffness as a predictor of LVM. In a large population study, indices of arterial stiffness did not appear to be independent determinants of LVM in multiple regression models.2

The aim of the present investigation was to study the influence of hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic factors on LVM. Ninety-seven men aged 35–45 years were recruited to an ambulatory BP study between 1987 and 1990 from routine primary care health check-up in the City of Tampere. The study group included 34 normotensive, 29 borderline hypertensive and 34 hypertensive when classified according to WHO criteria. This current study is a cross-sectional survey after an average follow-up of 10.8 years. Eighty-seven men were available for the present study. Twenty of them were excluded, because they were on antihypertensive medication. The basic characteristics of the study population have been published previously.5 The local ethical committee approved the study protocol and all patients gave informed consent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Physiology, Medical School, University of Tampere,

    M P O Virtanen, M A P Kähönen, S K Majahalme, V M H Turjanmaa & T Kööbi

  2. Department of Clinical Physiology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland

    M P O Virtanen, M A P Kähönen, S K Majahalme, V M H Turjanmaa & T Kööbi

  3. Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland

    T Nieminen

  4. Appleton Heart Institute, Appleton, WI, USA

    S K Majahalme

  5. Department of Psychology, University of Tampere,

    M T Tuomisto

  6. Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland

    M T Tuomisto

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  1. M P O Virtanen
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Correspondence to M P O Virtanen.

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Virtanen, M., Nieminen, T., Kähönen, M. et al. The influence of hemodynamic factors on left ventricular mass. J Hum Hypertens 22, 126–128 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002267

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