ABSTRACT
There are well-known factors associated with the development of pathological ventricular hypertrophy and congestive heart failure (CHF) which include systemic hypertension, valvular heart disease and ischemic heart disease. Specific neurohumoral influences that affect the development of hypertrophy and heart failure include augmentation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and sympathetic nervous system.1 Other neurohumoral influences include vasopressin, endothelin, and calcineurin.2 Pharmacologic interventions designed to inhibit the formation and/or the effects of angiotensin, aldosterone and catecholamines can reverse ventricular hypertrophy and relieve the symptoms of heart failure.3 Other interventions that treat hypertension and those that correct valvular heart disease will also reverse the hypertrophic process and protect against the development of symptomatic CHF.
