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Left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) independently predicts cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, and treating hypertension in patients with LVH reduces CV risk. But is LVH regression associated with improved CV outcomes, independent of blood-pressure lowering?
To find out, researchers analyzed data from the LIFE trial, in which 9193 patients (age range, 55-80) with hypertension and electrocardiographic signs of LVH were randomized to receive the angiotensin-receptor blocker losartan or the beta-blocker atenolol (Journal Watch Cardiology May 17 2002). ECGs were retaken at 6 months and annually thereafter. Mean follow-up was 4.8 years.
After adjustment for randomized treatment, Framingham risk score, baseline and on-treatment BP, and seve…