RIGHT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY IN PEOPLE BORN AND LIVING AT HIGH ALTITUDES

Abstract

The ventricular weights are studied in 2 necropsy series, one form people born and living at altitudes from 12,375 to 14,300 feet above sea-level, and the other from natives and residents of sea-level. Ages ranged between the 2nd and 8th decade of life. Deaths were due to accident and acute illness, and patients with cardiac and pulmonary disease were excluded. The study of the absolute weight of the right ventricle, the relation RVW/LVW, and the percentage of weight of the right ventricle in relation to the total ventricular weight demonstrated the existence of right ventricular hypertrophy in those living at a high altitude. The morbid anatomical study of the right ventricular hypertrophy established that though the anatomical alteration involved all the muscular mass of the right ventricle the localization of hypertrophy was mainly at the base of the ventricle. Interpretation of the results in relation to current hemodynamic and electro-vectorcardiographic studies at high altitudes is attempted.