The effect of valsartan on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in type 2 diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, valsartan, on echocardiographically proven left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
Outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited at Niigata University Hospital. The left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated by echocardiography. LVH was considered to be present if the LVMI was > 131 g/m(2) in males and > 100 g/m(2) in females. Patients with LVH received a low dose (40 mg/day) of valsartan for 12 months. This low dose had no clinical effect on blood pressure.


RESULTS
Of the 38 patients who entered the study, 14 (36.8%) had LVH. After only 6 months of valsartan therapy, the mean LVMI decreased significantly, from 126.5 +/- 27.8 to 119.0 +/- 23.5 g/m(2) (p < 0.01 vs. baseline). Also, a significant decrease was observed after 12 months (116.5 +/- 30.9 g/m(2), p < 0.05 vs. baseline). Compared to baseline, there were no significant differences after treatment in body mass index, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
In type 2 diabetic patients with LVH, treatment with a low dose of valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, for 12 months, reduced LVMI, with no reduction in systemic blood pressure. This drug may be safely administered to type 2 diabetic patients with LVH. The long-term risk-reduction effects will have to be evaluated in further trials.
Suzuki
K
K
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Homeostatic Regulation and Development, Niigata Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan. katsu-s@med.niigata-u.ac.jp
Kato
K
K
Soda
S
S
Kamimura
T
T
Aizawa
Y
Y
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000068756:Valsartan
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D013777:Tetrazoles; D014633:Valine; D000068756:Valsartan