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[Structural-functional state of the hypertensive heart and atrial natriuretic factor during treatment with
Insights
Nifedipine therapy for essential hypertension significantly increased atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) levels and normalized cardiac function. These findings suggest new mechanisms for calcium channel blocker action in hypertensive heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Essential hypertension leads to structural and functional changes in the heart.
- The endocrine function of the heart, including atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) release, is altered in hypertension.
- Calcium channel blockers are a common treatment for hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of nifedipine on cardiac structural and functional parameters.
- To examine the impact of nifedipine therapy on plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) levels.
- To explore the association between cardiac changes and endocrine function during antihypertensive treatment.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac structural and functional parameters.
- Immunoradiometric assay was employed to measure plasma ANF levels.
- 37 patients with essential hypertension received 3-week therapy with individually chosen doses of nifedipine.
Main Results:
- Nifedipine therapy resulted in a significant increase in plasma ANF levels.
- Cardiac compensatory mechanisms showed normalization of function following nifedipine treatment.
- Changes in cardiac structure and function were associated with alterations in the heart's endocrine function.
Conclusions:
- Nifedipine therapy in essential hypertension normalizes cardiac function and increases ANF levels.
- The study suggests a link between the cardiac endocrine function and the mechanism of action of calcium antagonists.
- Further research into these mechanisms may reveal new therapeutic strategies for hypertensive heart disease.
Abstract:
The time course of structural and functional parameters using echocardiography and the level of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) employing immunoradiometric assay were examined in 37 patients with essential hypertension taking a 3-week therapy with nifedipine (corinfar) in doses individually chosen. The changes in the structural and functional parameters of the hypertensive heart were found to be associated with its endocrine function. A course therapy of patients with essential hypertension with nifedipine in individually based doses caused a significant rise in plasma ANF levels, a normalization of cardiac compensatory mechanism function. The findings may be a basis for studying the new mechanisms of calcium antagonist action.