Angiotensin II antagonism and the heart: valsartan in left ventricular hypertrophy.
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) represents an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and normalization of left ventricular mass has become a desirable goal of antihypertensive treatment. In a randomized, double-blind study, the angiotensin II (AT1-receptor) antagonist valsartan (Diovan ; 80-160 mg q.d.) was compared with the beta-blocker atenolol (50-100 mg q.d.) over 8 months in previously untreated patients with essential hypertension and LVH. Sixty-nine patients were randomized, of whom 58 were evaluated by echocardiography. After 8 months of treatment in the atenolol group [n = 8 with additional hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)], initial blood pressure was reduced from 160/103 to 147/92 mm Hg (p < 0.0001). In the valsartan group (n = 9 with HCTZ), blood pressure decreased from 163/101 to 146/90 mm Hg (p < 0.0001). Left ventricular mass index decreased from 127 to 117 g/m2 in the atenolol group and from 127 to 106 g/m2 in the valsartan group. Long-term treatment with valsartan resulted in a significant reduction of LVH in patients with essential hypertension.
Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Witten/Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany.
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Thürmann
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068756:Valsartan
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D013777:Tetrazoles; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D000804:Angiotensin II; D001262:Atenolol; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine