Left ventricular (LV) geometry and dipping state are determinants of LV mass reduction with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor antihypertensive treatment.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a major risk predictor in hypertensive patients and its regression is beneficial in terms of prognosis. The aim of this observational, open-labeled study was to investigate the effect of left ventricular geometry and dipping pattern on left ventricular mass reduction after chronic treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, in a large population of hypertensive patients. METHODS: We evaluated untreated patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, before and 6 months after treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor monotherapy or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-low-dose thiazide combination. Left ventricular mass index, relative wall thickness and geometry pattern were derived from echocardiography. Dipping state was determined with 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring at enrollment. RESULTS: Overall, left ventricular mass index decrease in the 1400 patients (mean age 52.5 years) who completed the study was 12.9% of baseline value (P<0.00001). After adjusting for pretreatment value, left ventricular mass index reduction was similar with all angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors used [P= NS (not significant)], but it was higher in nondippers than dippers (14.1 vs. 12.3%, P<0.0001) and in patients with than without baseline left ventricular hypertrophy (14.6 vs. 11.3%, P<0.0001). We observed a stepwise augmentation of left ventricular mass index decrease with worsening left ventricular geometry (P<0.001). In multivariable analysis, impaired left ventricular geometry and blunted nocturnal blood pressure fall before treatment were independent predictors of a high left ventricular mass index reduction after treatment, independent of blood pressure fall, pretreatment left ventricular mass index, and other potential confounders. CONCLUSION: In essential hypertension, left ventricular geometry and dipping state are independent determinants of left ventricular mass reduction with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor treatment. All angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are efficient in decreasing left ventricular mass.