[Regression of left ventricular mass in arterial hypertension. Efficacy of 3 different treatment protocols]

To evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy, at rest and under exercise, in patients treated with three different antihypertensive drugs and the modifications induced on the left ventricular mass.

Fifty hypertensive males, mean age 51 years, 15 received 50 mg/day of chlorthalidone, 20 atenolol (100 mg/day) and 15 enalapril (20-40 mg/day). Baseline pressure control and echocardiogram, and 3, 6 and 9 months after starting therapy were performed. Thickness of the interventricular septum and posterior left ventricular wall in mm, left ventricular mass index in g/m2 were determined.

The baseline septum in the diuretic group was 15 +/- 3 mm and 14 +/- 3 mm at 9 months, in the atenolol group was 16 +/- 3 mm and 12 +/- 2 mm (p less than 0.001), and in the enalapril group 15 +/- 2 mm and 12 +/- 3 mm (p less than 0.01). The posterior wall was 14 +/- 3 mm and 13 +/- 2 mm in the diuretic group, in the atenolol group 15 +/- 2 mm and 12 +/- 2 mm (p less than 0.001) and in the enalapril group 15 +/- 2 mm and 12 +/- 3 mm (p less than 0.01). The left ventricular mass index was in he diuretic group 153 +/- 45 g/m2 and 146 +/- 36 g/m2, in the atenolol group 167 +/- 34 g/m2 and 128 +/- 24 g/m2 (p less than 0.001) and in the enalapril group 156 +/- 36 g/m2 and 131 +/- 26 g/m2 (p less than 0.05).

The antihypertensive efficacy at rest was similar with the three drugs, being under exercise superior atenolol and enalapril. Only atenolol and enalapril induced regression of left ventricular mass.