Effect of echocardiography on clinical impact and patient outcome in hypertension

Echocardiography in research. As a research tool, echocardiography has been importantin defining the prevalence and magnitude of the cardiac effects of hypertension. 18 Moreover, it has established its value in determining the effects of antihypertensive therapy on left ventricular (LV) mass, LV hypertrophy (LVH), and LV function. 9~13 Additionally, echocardiographic studies Of normotensive subjects have provided fundamental insights into the relationship between genetic susceptibility, blood pressure, and LVH. 14~s Echocardiography for cardiac hypertensive and comorbid disease. Cardiac abnormality in patients with hypertension is often an expression of the interaction of direct effects of hypertension on the heart with coronary heart disease, which in itself may be accelerated by elevated blood pressure. In addition to the presence of comorbid coronary artery disease (CAD), elderly hypertensive patients are prone to degenerative aortic and mitral valve disease. Hence, in hypertension, echocardiography might bc expected to bc a clinically vibrant diagnostic tool with a rich yield of cardiac abnormality related to hypertensive heart disease, as well as comorbid coronary and valvular disease. Impact versus outcome. Because hypertension, present in at least 20 million Americans, is arguably the most common disorder affecting the heart, it is reasonable to consider the impact of cchocardiography on physicians' diagnostic and therapeutic behavior. More important, it is appropriate to determine if echocardiography alters physician behavior in such a way as to affect the clinical outcome of patient care. Moreover, in the current health care climate, with its growing demand for justification of expenditures,