Prognostic significance of ventricular arrhythmias in the presence of pathological left ventricular hypertrophy.

It is well known that pathological left ventricular hypertrophy, either primary or secondary to cardiac overload, is associated with a high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death, and that asymptomatic ventricular arrhythmias seem to be related to a high incidence of sudden death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and ischaemic heart disease. However, this association has not been prospectively evaluated in patients with hypertensive LVH, where other factors, such as myocardial ischaemia, can play an important role. More studies are needed in this respect before establishing therapeutic implications.