Electrocardiographic tracking of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension: incidence and prognostic outcomes from the SPRINT trial.

Background: This study explores the impact of intensive blood pressure (BP) control on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) incidence and evaluates the prognostic implications of LVH status (pre-existing/new-onset/persistent/regression) using Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) Electrocardiogram Data.

Methods: Poisson regression was used to assess new-onset LVH and LVH regression rates. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models determined the risk of adverse cardiovascular events (ACE), a composite of myocardial infarction (MI), non-MI acute coronary syndrome, stroke, heart failure, or cardiovascular death, alongside safety adverse events.

Results: In 8,016 participants, intensive BP control significantly reduced new-onset LVH (8.27 vs. 14.79 per 1000-person years; adjusted p<0.001) and increased LVH regression (14.89 vs. 11.89 per 1000-person years; adjusted p<0.001). Elevated ACE risk was notable in participants with pre-existing LVH [adjusted HR: 1.94 (95% CI: 1.25-2.99); p = 0.003], new-onset LVH [adjusted 1.74 (95% CI: 1.16-2.60); p = 0.007], and persistent LVH[adjusted HR: 1.96 (95% CI: 1.11-3.46); p = 0.020], compared to those without LVH. Intriguingly, LVH regression attenuated this risk increment [adjusted HR: 1.57 (95% CI: 0.98-2.53); p = 0.062]. Achieving a BP target of < 120/80 mmHg nullified the increased ACE risk in those with pre-existing LVH.

Conclusions: Intensive BP control is instrumental in both reducing the emergence of LVH and fostering its regression. Pre-existing, new-onset LVH and persistent LV remain a predictor of adverse cardiovascular prognosis, whereas LVH regression and achieving on-treatment BP < 120/80 mmHg in pre-existing LVH individuals may further mitigate residual cardiovascular risk.

Clinical trial registration: URL: ClinicalTrials.gov Unique Identifier: NCT01206062.