Left ventricular hypertrophy is independently associated with all-cause mortality.

Background: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with adverse outcomes. The goal of this study was to evaluate any association between LVH and all-cause mortality using a large echocardiographic database.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 2,352 echocardiograms between the ages 16-99 years that were performed from 1983 to 1998 for clinical reasons in Southern California. Mortality data were extracted from the national mortality database at the end of the year 2007. Using uni- and multi-variant analysis, we evaluated any association between total mortality and echocardiographic presence of LVH defined as any wall thickness >11 mm.

Results: LVH was significantly associated with all-cause mortality [207/583 (35.5%) of patients died with LVH vs. 416/1769 (23.5%) of patients with normal wall thickness, P<0.001, HR 1.79, CI: 1.46-2.19]. Using multivariate analysis adjusting for age, gender, abnormal left ventricular systolic function, and significant valvular abnormalities, LVH remained independently associated with all-cause mortality (OR 1.39, CI 1.10-1.74, P=0.005).

Conclusion: Using a large echocardiographic database, we found that LVH is independently associated with all-cause mortality. Our finding confirms the negative effect of LVH on the long-term outcome.