Effects of the calcium channel antagonist amlodipine in cats with surgically induced hypertensive renal insufficiency.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether amlodipine besylate decreases systemic arterial blood pressure (BP) and reduces the prevalence of complications in cats with induced hypertensive renal insufficiency.


METHODS
20 cats with partial nephrectomy.


METHODS
Following reduction in renal mass, 10 cats were administered 0.25 mg of amlodipine/kg, PO, q 24 h (group A). Ten cats served as a control group (group C). Systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and mean BP (MBP), physical activity, and pulse rate were measured continuously for 36 days by use of radiotelemetric devices.


RESULTS
Compared with values for clinically normal cats, SBP, DBP, and MBP were significantly increased in cats of group C. Cats in group A had significant reductions in SBP, DBP, and MBP, compared with values for cats in group C. Albuminuria but not urine protein-to-creatinine ratio was significantly correlated (R2 = 0.317) with SBP in hypertensive cats. Prevalence of ocular lesions attributable to systemic hypertension in group C (7 cats) was greater than that observed in group A (2). Two cats in group C were euthanatized on day 16 because of nuerologic complications attributed to systemic hypertension. One normotensive cat in group A was euthanatized because of purulent enteritis of unknown cause on day 27.


CONCLUSIONS
Amlodipine had an antihypertensive effect in cats with coexistent systemic hypertension and renal insufficiency. Its use may improve the prognosis for cats with systemic hypertension by decreasing the risk of ocular injury or neurologic complications induced by high BP.
Mathur
Sheerin
S
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30605, USA.
Syme
Harriet
H
Brown
Cathy A
CA
Elliot
Jonathan
J
Moore
Phillip A
PA
Newell
Melvin A
MA
Munday
John S
JS
Cartier
Leslie M
LM
Sheldon
Suzanne E
SE
Brown
Scott A
SA
D000419:Albuminuria / Q000662:veterinary; D017311:Amlodipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D006977:Hypertension, Renal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013686:Telemetry / Q000662:veterinary
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D017311:Amlodipine