title: [The vasodilator minoxidil in the treatment of hypertension].
abstract: A new vasodilating agent, minoxidil, was used in 17 patients with essential hypertension that had not responded sufficiently to combined treatment with 3 or 4 conventional hypotensive agents. After minoxidil was added, mean arterial BP dropped by 50 +/- 2.4 mmHg, the effect persisting for 3-4 months. Discontinuation of minoxidil after a short-term administration of 20 +/- 3.8 mg daily was accompanied with a BP rise eventually reaching baseline values, while gradual replacement with nifedipine after daily doses of minoxidil had been reduced smoothly over 3 or 4 weeks allowed to maintain mean arterial BP about 34 +/- 1.8 mm Hg below the baseline. The use of minoxidil in combination with beta-blockers and diuretics for 6 weeks resulted in a significant increase of left-ventricular myocardial weight, while cardiac contractility and pump function remained intact, as evidenced by electrocardiography. After 3 weeks of treatment, peripheral vascular resistance diminished in the forearm owing to reduced arterial and arteriolar tone, yet no reverse development of the vascular-wall adaptive structural changes could be seen at venous occlusion plethysmography.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008914:Minoxidil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D008914:Minoxidil; D009543:Nifedipine
vernacular_title: Vazodilatator minoksidil v lechenii gipertonicheskoĭ bolezni.