Perindopril decreases P wave dispersion in patients with stage 1 hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors prevent atrial fibrillation episodes by effective control of blood pressure and improving electrical and structural remodelling in the atria. Increased P wave dispersion (PWD) is a non-invasive electrocardiographic marker for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of perindopril treatment on PWD in hypertensive patients.


METHODS
Forty-eight hypertensive patients (mean age 57.4+/-11.8 years, 18 men) were included. Blood pressure values were determined and 12-lead electrocardiograms were recorded at the beginning and at the first week, first month, third month and sixth month of the perindopril treatment.The difference between maximum and minimum P wave durations was calculated as PWD.


RESULTS
PWDs were significantly shortened at the first, third and sixth months (41.7+/-8.8 ms, 39.1+/-6.9 ms and 38.3+/-7.1 ms, respectively) compared with baseline and first-week measurements (54.3+/-9.2 ms and 49.0+/-9.1 ms, respectively, p<0.001). Baseline PWD was correlated with body mass index (r=0.32, p=0.026), while PWD at the sixth month of treatment was significantly correlated with left atrial volume index (r=0.30, p=0.042). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that PWD at the sixth month was related to baseline PWD (p=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Perindopril treatment significantly reduced PWD in hypertensive patients.
Ozben
Beste
B
Department of Cardiology, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. bestes@doctor.com
Sumerkan
Mutlu
M
Tanrikulu
Azra Meryem
AM
Papila-Topal
Nurdan
N
Fak
Ali Serdar
AS
Toprak
Ahmet
A
D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020913:Perindopril / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D020913:Perindopril