Prevention of left ventricular hypertrophy by ACE-inhibitor, ramipril in comparison with calcium-channel antagonist, felodipine.
This perspective study was performed to demonstrate the prevention of left ventricular hypertrophy by ACE-inhibitor, ramipril, in hypertensives of recent onset. Thirty-four hypertensive patients, treated with ramipril (group I), and 32 controls who received another frequently employed drug (the calcium channel-antagonist, felodipine (group II), were evaluated. Neither of two groups received any anti-hypertensive drug and did not suffer from left ventricular hypertrophy. All selected patients underwent M-mode echocardiography for measuring the following parameters: diastolic diameter of left ventricle, (DDLV); systolic diameter of left ventricle (SDLV); inter-ventricular septum (IVS); thickness of the posterior wall (PW); and left ventricular mass index (LVMI). Two anti-hypertensive drugs reduce systemic hypertension the same way. But, in hypertensives receiving ramipril (group I), the echocardiographic parameters of the left ventricle increased non-significantly. On the other hand, in those treated with felodipine (II group), these parameters significantly changed. The mechanisms of non-increase in cardiac and non-cardiac proteins, due to the ACE-inhibitors, are illustrated.
Cacciapuoti
F
F
Department of Gerontology and Metabolic Disease, II University of Naples, Italy.
Capasso
A
A
Mirra
G
G
De Nicola
A
A
Minicucci
F
F
Gentile
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004452:Echocardiography; D015736:Felodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017257:Ramipril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017257:Ramipril; D015736:Felodipine