title: The effect of valsartan on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in type 2 diabetic patients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soda
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kamimura
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aizawa
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D013777:Tetrazoles; D014633:Valine; D000068756:Valsartan