Reduced Left Ventricular Hypertrophy = Reduced Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death

The severity of two criteria for ECG diagnosis of LVH in patients with hypertension is directly related to the risk for SCD.

Studies have shown that LV hypertrophy (LVH) is an important risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD). But does reducing LVH reduce the risk for SCD? To find out, investigators analyzed data from 9193 participants in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint Reduction in Hypertension (LIFE) study who had ECG evidence of LVH and were randomized to losartan or atenolol treatment for essential hypertension. Severity of LVH was assessed during treatment by two different ECG criteria: Cornell product and Sokolow-Lyon voltage.

The mean follow-up duration was 4.8 years. Increased severity of baseline ECG criteria for LVH predicted an increased risk for SCD. In addition, in-treatment reduction of the severity of LVH reduced the risk for SCD by 26% to…

Reviewing Author

Mark S. Link, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCirculation; UpToDate

Mark S. Link, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCirculation; UpToDate

Reduced Left Ventricular Hypertrophy = Reduced Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death

Topics

Reviewing Author