title: Treatment of hypertension with captopril: preservation of regional blood flow and reduced platelet aggregation.
abstract: The BP of 12 patients with essential hypertension was controlled with captopril over a period of three months. Cerebral blood flow, muscle blood flow (anterior tibialis muscle), platelet aggregation and platelet thromboxane A2 release were measured during a baseline drug-free period, and measurements repeated during the treatment phase on achieving BP control, after one and three months. Cerebral blood flow rose during the early phase of treatment and then dropped to baseline levels during chronic therapy. Muscle blood flow, both at rest and following maximal exercise, was unaffected by captopril therapy. Platelet aggregation was diminished during therapy, and this finding was paralleled by a reduction in platelet thromboxane A2 generation. Control of hypertension with maintenance of regional blood flow and beneficial changes in platelet function during treatment with captopril may improve the overall risk profile of hypertensive patients. Inhibition of platelet aggregation and thromboxane A2 release may contribute to the antihypertensive action of captopril and the maintenance of regional blood flow.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Dickenson
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Burgoyne
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Jeremy
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Barradas
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dandona
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002216:Captopril / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D013928:Thromboxane A2 / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D013928:Thromboxane A2; D002216:Captopril