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were enrolled. An experienced investigator performed measurements of the thickness of the anterior septum and posterior wall using the parasternal 2D-long axis view and the end-diastolic dimension of the left ventricle with both imaging devices. Left ventricular hypertrophy was defined as an increase in left ventricular mass 134 g. m2 for tricular mass/body surface area) and 90%, kappa: 0·76 (left ventricular mass/height). Conclusions We conclude that hand-held devices can be effectively applied for screening for left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients. (Eur Heart J, 2002; 23: 1516–1521, doi:10.1053/euhj.2002. 3162) sion. It is considered as an asymptomatic pre-clinical stage of the cardiovascular disease, that may lead to measurement of left ventricular thickness and has com-parable accuracy to the magnetic resonance imagingcardiac events[4]. Also, reversal of left ventricular hyper-trophy can improve the patient’s outcome[5]. Early iden-tification of left ventricular hypertrophy and treatment (MRI) especially in patients with normal left ventricular geometry[9–10]. New and small echocardiographic de-vices are now becoming available which could be used as screening tools for various pathomorphologies of the heart. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential and diagnostic accuracy of a recently developed portable hand-held ultrasound system for screening for left ventricular hypertrophy in hyper-tensive patients using a standard two-dimensional echocardiographic system as a reference