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Effect of Losartan on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Aloir Queiroz Araujo1, Edmundo Arteaga, Barbara Maria Ianni

  • 1Cardiomyopathies Division Heart Institute (InCor), University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil. aloirqueiroz@cardiol.br

The American Journal of Cardiology
|November 29, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Losartan treatment improved left ventricular diastolic function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). Six months of losartan therapy reduced left atrial size and NT-pro-BNP levels, indicating better heart function.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Diastolic dysfunction is a key feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC), driven by myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis.
  • Angiotensin II contributes to cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis; blocking its receptors shows promise in reversing these effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the short-term effects of losartan on left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in nonobstructive HC.
  • To compare the efficacy of losartan versus no treatment in HC patients over six months.

Main Methods:

  • A 6-month study involving 20 patients with nonobstructive HC treated with losartan 100 mg/day.
  • A control group of 10 HC patients received no treatment.
  • Echocardiography and plasma NT-pro-BNP levels were used for evaluation.

Main Results:

  • The losartan group showed a significant decrease in left atrial diameter and improved diastolic function (increased Ea, decreased E/Ea ratio).
  • Plasma NT-pro-BNP levels significantly decreased in the losartan group.
  • No significant changes in LV wall or cavity dimensions were observed in either group.
  • A correlation was found between NT-pro-BNP changes and E/Ea ratio improvements.

Conclusions:

  • Losartan effectively improved left ventricular diastolic function in patients with nonobstructive HC over a 6-month period.
  • The findings suggest losartan as a potential therapeutic option for managing diastolic dysfunction in HC.

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