Evaluation of the Patient with Incidental Left Ventricular Hypertrophy on Echocardiography

Abstract

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), or an increase in cardiac mass, usually reflects pathologic adaptation to chronic pressure or volume loads. Physiologic adaptation in athletes as well as genetic, metabolic, and infiltrative disorders may also result in increased cardiac mass. Given vast differences in prognosis and therapeutic options associated with different underlying conditions, the evaluation of patients with LVH necessitates a modern, comprehensive evaluation incorporating multimodality imaging. Herein we present a systematic approach to patients with incidental LVH.