Ebook Assessment of Ventricular Hypertrophies from an ECG

Ventricular hypertrophy refers to the thickening of the ventricular wall: left ventricle > 12 mm, right ventricle > 5 mm. Hypertension is the main cause of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and LVH is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. The target blood pressure for patients with LVH is less than 130/80 mmHg. Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) indicates severe heart or lung disease and is usually not encountered in asymptomatic patients. Accurate diagnosis of ventricular hypertrophy, or its exclusion, is possible with echocardiography or, in special cases, with magnetic imaging.