Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate changes following regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
Methods: Electrophysiolological changes were recorded in isolated guinea-pig myocardial preparations. LVH was induced by constriction of the thoracic aorta and regression was followed after removal of the constriction. Sham-operated animals served as controls.
Results: During 42 days constriction, heart/body weight ratio increased (3.19+/-0.49 vs. 3.85+/-0.83 g kg(-1)) and was accompanied by an increase of cell size. Forty-two days after clip removal, values had returned to control values. LVH increased action potential (AP) duration (mean 112% of control) and decreased conduction velocity (60.4+/-3.3 vs. 45.9+/-4.6 cm(-1)). These changes did not return to control after regression of LVH. The changes to condition velocity were attributed solely to increases of intracellular resistivity. The positive staircase response also decreased with LVH, but did recover upon regression. In isolated whole hearts, no changes to subepicardial action potential duration, QRS complex duration or AP refractory period were observed in LVH or its regression. During low-flow ischaemia AP duration shortened reversibly, the rate of shortening was more rapid in hypertrophied hearts but similar to control in regressed hearts. The incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias of fibrillation during low-flow ischaemia was similar in control, hypertrophied and regressed hearts.
Conclusion: Morphological regression of LVH is not accompanied by reversal of electrophysiological changes measured in isolated preparations, whereas some aspects of contractile function to recover.