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Ventricular interdependence in hypertension: fact or fiction?

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 33, pages 489–490 (2019)Cite this article

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Systemic hypertension (HTN) is a major public health issue with an increasing incidence  in many countries. It is a major risk factor for coronary arterial, cerebrovascular, and peripheral arterial disease [1]. End  organ damage secondary to  HTN is the major cause of morbidity and mortality [2].

The effects of HTN on the left ventricle (LV) have been well documented, and there is an abundance of data on the pathological effects of HTN on LV morphology and function. However, there is much less data on the changes of the right ventricular (RV) structure and function in HTN. The need for studying the structural and functional changes of the RV in HTN stems from the fact that there is a strong relationship between RV hypertrophy (RVH) and function and cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in a range of cardiovascular conditions and following cardiac surgery [3, 4]. It is also prudent to assume that LV hypertrophy and dysfunction secondary to HTN can induce back-pressure changes in the pulmonary circulation and thereby affect the RV. Indeed, previous studies have found that HTN induces functional and morphological adaptations of the RV, and pulmonary vascular over-reactivity is the main pathophysiological link between hypertension and RV remodeling and dysfunction [5].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, LS1 3EX, UK

    Islam F. H. A. Elsisi, Felicia S. C. Tan, Sunil K. Nadar & Muzahir H. Tayebjee

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  1. Islam F. H. A. Elsisi
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  2. Felicia S. C. Tan
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  3. Sunil K. Nadar
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  4. Muzahir H. Tayebjee
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Correspondence to Muzahir H. Tayebjee.

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Elsisi, I.F.H.A., Tan, F.S.C., Nadar, S.K. et al. Ventricular interdependence in hypertension: fact or fiction?. J Hum Hypertens 33, 489–490 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-019-0202-2

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