Related Experiment Videos
Effect of atenolol and ramipril on regression of left ventricular hypertrophy: comparative echocardiographic
F Rosatti1, M Lunardi, M Mangrella
1Department of Cardiology, St. Francis Hospital, Barga, Italy.
Insights
Atenolol and ramipril effectively treat hypertension and reduce left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Both medications demonstrated significant LVH regression in patients with essential hypertension, with no major differences in efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) exacerbates hypertensive illness.
- LVH is multifactorial, necessitating antihypertensive treatments that address both blood pressure and ventricular mass.
- Effective treatment requires drugs targeting both pressor values and hypertrophic ventricular mass.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy on the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).
- To compare the effects of atenolol and ramipril on hypertension and LVH regression.
Main Methods:
- 21 patients with stage 2 essential hypertension were enrolled.
- Patients received either atenolol (120 mg/d) or ramipril (5 mg/d) orally for one year.
- Treatment outcomes included blood pressure control, LVH regression, and heart rate changes.
Main Results:
- Both atenolol and ramipril significantly controlled hypertension and induced LVH regression.
- No statistically significant difference was observed between the two treatments regarding LVH regression.
- Ramipril did not significantly alter heart rate, while atenolol significantly decreased it.
Conclusions:
- Atenolol and ramipril are effective in managing hypertension and promoting the regression of associated LVH.
- Both drugs are well-tolerated and suitable for long-term antihypertensive treatment.
- The study highlights the role of these agents in addressing both blood pressure and cardiac remodeling.
Abstract:
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) dramatically worsens hypertensive illness. Because the genesis of LVH appears to be multifactorial, antihypertensive treatment should aim to reduce not only pressor values but also the hypertrophic ventricular mass. This result can be obtained only when drugs able to act on both pathogenetic factors are used. To evaluate the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy on regression of LVH, 21 patients with stage 2 essential hypertension were treated for a year with either atenolol (120 mg/d orally), a cardioselective beta-blocker without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, or ramipril (5 mg/d orally), an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor with high tissue activity. Both treatments produced significant control of hypertension and regression of LVH. No statistically significant difference between treatments was noted, except for heart rate, which was substantially unchanged by ramipril but significantly decreased by atenolol. Both drugs were well tolerated. Atenolol and ramipril have a major role in the long-term treatment of hypertension and in the regression of hypertension-associated LVH.