Left ventricular geometric patterns and adaptations to hemodynamics are similar in elderly men and women

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Common conditions such as obesity and hypertension result in hemodynamic alterations that will induce remodeling of the left ventricle (LV). However, differences between the genders in the relationship of hemodynamics to LV geometry are not well known.</p> <p>The present study aims to investigate differences between the genders in this respect, in a sample of elderly persons.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Echocardiography and Doppler was performed in a population-based sample aged 70 - The Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study (n = 922).</p> <p>Hemodynamic patterns obtained by echocardiography and Doppler were evaluated in relation to four LV geometric groups (normal, concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy and concentric hypertrophy).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No significant difference between the genders was observed regarding the prevalence of the LV geometric groups.</p> <p>Mean values of most evaluated echocardiography and Doppler variables differed between men and women, such as LA, IVS, LVEDD and IVRT, but the relationship of hemodynamic variables to LV geometric groups did not differ between the genders.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Although mean values of many echocardiographic variables differed between men and women, the LV geometric adaptations to a given hemodynamic load appear similar in both genders.</p

A simple nomogram for determination of echocardiographic left ventricular geometry

Recent data have shown that left ventricular (I.V) geometry provides additional information on the simple dichotomy of presence or absence of LV hypertrophy with regard to cardiovascular risk of hypertensive patients. A "new" class of concentric remodeling was created, identifying a rather large group of hypertensive patients who do have increased risk despite no LV hypertrophy, Because determination of LV geometry is not easy, our objective was to develop a nomogram enabling determination of LV geometry in a simple way. The geometric classification is based on the combination of increased relative wall thickness and LV hypertrophy (LV mass index greater than or equal to 125 g/m(2)) both of which are calculated from wall thickness and end-diastolic diameter. In the nomogram the calculated cutoff lines for relative wall thickness and left ventricular hypertrophy are plotted, forming 4 quadrants that represent the geometric classes. Two nomograms are made: 1 based on Penn convention measurement calculations and 1 based on American Society of Echocardiography convention measurements. This nomogram provides a simple way to determine LV geometry, and thus a quick assessment of the additional cardiovascular risk of the hypertensive patient. This is especially important for subjects with concentric remodeling, who would otherwise not be identified as having increased risk for cardiovascular disease. (C) 1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc