[Captopril in single dose in the treatment of essential arterial hypertension]

Seventy one mild to moderate essential hypertensive patients receiving out-patient treatment with Captopril--inhibitor of the conversion enzyme--during a period of six months, are studied. The therapeutic goal (DAP less than 95 mm Hg.) was reached in 88% of the cases, with just a single Captopril dose of 50 mg/day in 42 patients (59.1%). AP decreased from 174.2/100.2 mm Hg. to 149.2/84.0 mm Hg. (p less than 0.001). Any significant changes in heart rate nor in body weight were observed. Side effects were rare (just in two patients), although their intensity determined in both cases the interruption of treatment. Finally, and improvement in the metabolic profile of patients was observed, with reduction in glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid at the end of the study.