Hemodynamic effects of cadralazine or chlorthalidone in verapamil-treated elderly hypertensives.
Fourteen hypertensives aged > 66-77 years, whose diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was > or = 95 mmHg at the end of 1-month treatment with verapamil 240 mg SR, took part in this clinical-hemodynamic study. Patients were randomized to add the long-acting hydralazine derivative, cadralazine, 10 mg once daily, or chlorthalidone 25 mg once daily for 1 month each, to their previous verapamil regimen, according to a double-blind crossover design. Echo-Doppler hemodynamics were performed before starting verapamil, 1 month after verapamil and then after each phase of the crossover study. A significant reduction in DBP both in supine and upright position was observed with both drugs, while the reduction in systolic blood pressure was not significant. Criteria for a satisfactory response were DBP < or = 90 mmHg or a DBP reduction > or = 10 mmHg; this goal was achieved in 9 patients with cadralazine, 9 patients with chlorthalidone, 5 patients with both. The hemodynamic study in responders showed that both cadralazine and chlorthalidone acted through a reduction of peripheral resistances without inducing reflex tachycardia. Thus, cadralazine and chlorthalidone represent a suitable second-step treatment in elderly hypertensives insufficiently controlled by verapamil monotherapy: both drugs act through a reduction in total peripheral resistance (TPR).
Antonicelli
R
R
Centro Ipertensione Istituto I.N.R.C.A. (Italian National Research Centre on Aging), Ancona.
Savonitto
S
S
Tomassini
P F
PF
Gambini
C
C
Sardina
M
M
Paciaroni
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002752:Chlorthalidone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D011724:Pyridazines; C031877:cadralazine; D014700:Verapamil; D002752:Chlorthalidone