Peripheral action of spironolactone: plethysmographic studies.
The relation between vasodilation and the blood pressure-reducing action of spironolactone was studied in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study using 9 patients with essential hypertension. Vasodilation was studied by measuring blood flow in finger and calf (representative of skin and muscle circulation) by an electrocardiographic-triggered venous-occlusion plethysmograph. Treatment with spironolactone (100 mg twice daily for 4 weeks) produced significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure without significantly affecting heart rate. Blood flow through finger and calf increased, sometimes markedly, in 6 of the 9 patients, while vascular resistance decreased. This study confirms that the antihypertensive action of spironolactone is associated with vasodilation in many patients.
Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Gent, Belgium.
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D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005385:Fingers / Q000098:blood supply; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D013148:Spironolactone