LVH
Also written as: LVH — left ventricular hypertrophy
Left ventricular hypertrophy, an abnormal thickening of the left ventricular wall typically resulting from pressure or volume overload.
Full Definition
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an abnormal increase in left ventricular wall thickness that develops as an adaptive response to chronic pressure or volume overload. Common causes include hypertension, aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and athletic conditioning. LVH can be concentric (uniform wall thickening with normal chamber size) or eccentric (wall thickening with chamber dilation). While initially compensatory, LVH is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, including arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death, and heart failure. Diagnosis is typically made by echocardiography or ECG, though imaging provides more accurate assessment. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause and may include antihypertensive therapy.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish between concentric and eccentric patterns, as they have different clinical implications.
In Context
- "ECG showed voltage criteria consistent with LVH secondary to longstanding hypertension." — electrocardiogram interpretation
- "Echocardiography confirmed concentric LVH with preserved systolic function." — imaging report