title: Perindopril versus captopril: efficacy and acceptability in an Italian multicenter trial.
abstract: The aim of this 3-month, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group study was to compare the antihypertensive efficacy and acceptability of perindopril (4-8 mg/day) in 54 patients (30 males, 24 females, 25-68 years of age) and captopril (50-100 mg/day) in 54 patients (39 males, 15 females, 29-66 years of age) in the treatment of essential hypertension. In a subgroup of 38 patients a complete echocardiographic study was performed. The two groups had similar (ANOVA) blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), body mass index, and duration of hypertension. Supine and standing BP was significantly reduced by both drugs, without differences between them. Owing to poor control of BP, hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/day) was added to 27% of patients on perindopril and to 41% of patients on captopril (p less than 0.05). Normalization of supine diastolic BP (less than or equal to 90 mm Hg) was obtained in 67% of patients on perindopril and in 47% of patients on captopril (p less than 0.01). No change in HR was detected. Only mild untoward effects were recorded. Left ventricular mass was significantly reduced by either drug, with no change in systolic function. In conclusion, perindopril and captopril, at these doses, were both well tolerated and on average reduced BP to a similar extent; however, treatment with perindopril showed that fewer patients needed the addition of a thiazide and BP became normal in a larger number of patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agabiti-Rosei
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ambrosioni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Finardi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Folino
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gambassi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marchesi
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Muiesan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Semplicini
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pessina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002216:Captopril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020913:Perindopril; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D007211:Indoles; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D002216:Captopril; D020913:Perindopril