Application of Echocardiography to Population-Based Research Projects

SCHOENBERGER, JAMES A.

Department of Preventative Medicine, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Address for reprints: James A. Schoenberger, M.D., Dept. of Preventative Medicine, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, 1743 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60612.

Hypertension 9(2):p II-46, February 1987.

SUMMARY

The value of echocardiography as a tool for the epidemiologic investigation of hypertension has not yet been determined. Since echocardiography is considerably more sensitive than electrocardiography in the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy, the development and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy assessed by echocardiography may be extremely useful in determining prognosis in hypertension and the efficiacy of therapeutic interventions. Its use may free clinical trials of dependence on total mortality and coronary incidence as the only end points.