Pattern of left ventricular geometry in hypertension: a study of a hypertensive population in Nigeria.

Background: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardioxasular morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. The main aim of this study was to deterine the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular geometric patterns among hypertensives in Kano, Nigeria. Methods: The study was cross-sectional in design, and carried out in 3 echocardiography laboratories within the City of Kano, Nigeria. Patients with hypertension without other cardiac disorders were serially recruited and studied after obtaining informed consent. Results: A total of 186 patients were studied over 7 months; 89 males (47.9%) and 97 females (52.1%). The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was 61.8%. Thirty five patients (18.8%) had normal left ventricular geometry and these were predominantly females and had the lowest mean age and shortest duration of hypertension. Sixty eight patients (36.6%) had eccentric hypertrophy, 47 (25.3%) had concentric hypertrophy and 36 (19.4%) had concentric remodelling. Independent predictors of the various geometric patterns were identified. Conclusion: A high prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was observed with eccentric hypertrophybeing the most common geometric pattern. Gender influenced the pattern of left ventricular geometry.