Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes after one to two-years' treatment of hypertension. Analyses of voltages (SV1+RV5), wall thickness, cavity, mass, and hemodynamics of the left ventricle.

The changes of left ventricular anatomy and function following treatment with antihypertensive agents for 1 to 2 years were studied by echo-cardiography in 34 patients with hypertension whose blood pressures and electrocardiographic voltages (SV1+RV5) were significantly decreased (p less than 0.001 and 0.01, respectively). The drugs administered or used were trichlormethiazide, beta-blockers, alpha-methyldopa, clonidine hydrochloride, and guanethidine. Most patients received 2 or more of the above drugs. The interventricular septal thickness, the left ventricular posterior wall thickness, the calculated left ventricular mass, the atrial dimensions, all decreased following treatment of hypertension for 1 to 2 years (p less than 0.001-0.05), and the ejection fraction improved (p less than 0.001). It is concluded that cardiac hypertrophy is not irreversible in patients with hypertension if their blood pressure is adequately controlled.