LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY: MECHANISM OF DEVELOPMENT

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an enlargement of the left ventricle caused by chronically increased hemodynamic load, such as arterial hypertension or aortic stenosis. In the initial stages, LVH has a protective nature, but later it can lead to heart failure and arrhythmias. The biochemical mechanisms of hypertrophy involve complex molecular pathways regulating cell proliferation and protein synthesis. These pathways interact through cell surface receptors, transcription factors, and enzymes, leading to structural and functional changes in cardiomyocytes. Changes in the extracellular matrix, inflammatory processes, and oxidative stress play an important role in the transition of hypertrophy from adaptive to pathological stage. Various hormones, vasoactive substances, growth factors, and cytokines are involved in myocardial hypertrophy. Despite significant knowledge concerning signaling pathways related to receptor stimulation, little is still known about the mechanochemical systems that transduce physical signals into cellular responses.