title: Perindopril decreases P wave dispersion in patients with stage 1 hypertension.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Marmara University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. bestes@doctor.com
authors.forename: Beste
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ozben
authors.forename: Mutlu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sumerkan
authors.forename: Azra Meryem
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tanrikulu
authors.forename: Nurdan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papila-Topal
authors.forename: Ali Serdar
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Fak
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toprak
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D020913:Perindopril