Left ventricular hypertrophy: renin4angiotensin system role

Abstract

The review presents modern views on pathogenetic mechanisms of myocardial hypertrophy, with the key role played by renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation and hemodynamic overload. The authors analyze main structural and functional disturbances typical for and underlying the clinical manifestation of hypertrophy (diastolic dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis). Principal approaches to pharmaceutical correction of myocardial hypertrophy, including RAS blocker therapy, are described.

Keywords

• arterial hypertension
• left ventricular hypertrophy
• renin-angiotensin system
• angiotensin receptor blockers
• ace inhibitors