title: Influence of isradipine and spirapril on left ventricular hypertrophy and resistance arteries.
abstract: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a common clinical feature in hypertensive patients and may be associated with structural changes in vessel morphology. In an open prospective trial, we evaluated 14 patients with previously untreated hypertension (163 +/- 2/104 +/- 2 mm Hg) and an echocardiographically determined left ventricular mass index of 141.6 +/- 5.2 g/m2, indicating left ventricular hypertrophy. We obtained a gluteal skin biopsy sample before starting treatment to investigate subcutaneous small-artery (approximately 200 to 400 microns diameter) morphology and function. Patients then received antihypertensive treatment with a combination of spirapril (3 or 6 mg) and isradipine (2.5 or 5 mg). Echocardiographic recordings were made after 6 months and 1 year, and a final biopsy was taken after 1 year. After 1 year, blood pressure was significantly reduced to 142 +/- 3/ 90 +/- 1 mm Hg (P < .001), and left ventricular mass index decreased significantly to 105.3 +/- 5.8 g/m2 (P < .001). Baseline media-lumen ratio (7.64 +/- 0.48%) was not markedly reduced (7.21 +/- 0.55%), although a decrease occurred in 7 of 12 evaluable patients. Norepinephrine-induced vasoconstriction was markedly reduced after 1 year. In conclusion, a significant regression of left ventricular hypertrophy was obtained after 1 year of treatment with spirapril and isradipine, whereas a similar reduction in medial thickness relative to lumen diameter of subcutaneous small arteries could not be observed in all patients. Reversal of structural changes in resistance vessels may require a longer treatment period in patients with proven left ventricular hypertrophy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Frankfurt (FRG).
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Thürmann
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Heagerty
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kenedi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weidinger
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rietbrock
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004452:Echocardiography; D004656:Enalapril / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D017275:Isradipine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014655:Vascular Resistance
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004656:Enalapril; C052555:spirapril; D017275:Isradipine