Association between left ventricular hypertrophy with retinopathy and renal dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension

Introduction: It has been suggested that hypertension (HTN) is associated with certain target organ damage (TOD) and related clinical conditions. On the other hand, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been considered as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular events and death. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between HTN-induced LVH and TOD (retinopathy and renal failure). Methods: We assessed 102 hypertensive subjects ( 43 males and 59 females) with a mean age of 60.2 +/- 8.8 (range 35-81) years. LVH was defined as a left ventricular mass index (LVMI) of more than 51 and 47 g/(m [to the power of 2.7]), in men and women, respectively. The degree of retinopathy on ophthalmological examination was defined according to the Keith-Wagener classification. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and urine protein concentrations were also measured. Results: Hypertensive retinopathy was found in 94 (92.2 percent) cases (Grades I 55.9 percent; II 28.5 percent; III 3.9 percent; IV: 3.9 percent). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures and serum creatinine concentration showed significant correlation with the severity of LVH. There was no significant relationship between LVH severity and retinopathy or proteinuria. Conclusion: The tight control of systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the first step of essential hypertension can assist to postpone LVH. Furthermore, routine measurement of serum creatinine can predict the risk of cardiovascular complications in the hypertensive patient.