title: Vasodilatory edema: a common side effect of antihypertensive therapy.
abstract: Vasodilatory edema, a common adverse effect of antihypertensive therapy with vasodilators, is related to several mechanisms, including arteriolar dilatation (causing an increase in intracapillary pressure), stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and fluid volume retention. Vasodilatory edema is dose-dependent and most common with direct arteriolar dilators such as minoxidil or hydralazine, and in decreasing order of frequency with the dihydropyridine calcium antagonists, a-blockers, antiadrenergic drugs, and nondihydropyridine calcium antagonists. Not all dihydropyridine calcium antagonists are created equal with regard to vasodilatory edema. At an equal antihypertensive efficacy, lercanidipine and lacidipine are associated with less vasodilatory edema than amlodipine and nifedipine. The addition of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) to a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist significantly reduces vasodilatory edema. In contrast, the addition of a diuretic has little effect on vasodilatory edema. Thus, low-dose combination therapy (of a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist with either an ACE inhibitor or an ARB) may be preferred over high-dose monotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 1514 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70121, USA. Fmesserli@aol.com
authors.forename: Franz H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Messerli
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D014665:Vasodilator Agents