Pulse pressure responses in patients treated with Valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide combination therapy.
In a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study of middle-aged and elderly patients, we examined the effects of treatment with the angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan (Val) in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) on pulse pressure (PP). After a 2-week washout period, patients entered a 4-week single-blind Val 160 mg once daily run-in period before randomization to one of three treatment groups: Val 160 mg (n = 666), Val 160 mg/HCTZ 12.5 mg (n = 670) or Val 160 mg/HCTZ 25 mg (n = 666), once daily for eight weeks. Sitting PP at baseline was similar in all groups. From baseline to randomization, Val monotherapy reduced PP by 4.7 +/- 10.2 mmHg (mean +/- SD). At the end of the study, overall reductions in PP were 6.7 mmHg for Val 160/HCTZ 12.5 and 7.5 mmHg for Val 160/HCTZ 25. Val monotherapy reduced PP in mild-to-moderate hypertensive patients. Val combined with HCTZ provides an additional dose-related reduction in PP.
Dipartimento di Medicina, Clinica Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
R
R
Carretta
P
P
Trenkwalder
F
F
Martinez
A
A
Tykarski
I
I
Teitelbaum
T
T
Fagan
P
P
Oddou
J
J
Mallion
D000368:Aged; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011674:Pulse; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000068756:Valsartan
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D013777:Tetrazoles; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine