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Effects of long-term medication for essential hypertension on cardiac hypertrophy and function
N Takeda1, I Nakamura, T Hatanaka
1Department of Internal Medicine, Aoto Hospital, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Long-term alacepril treatment significantly lowered blood pressure and reduced cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive patients. Cardiac function remained unchanged, indicating successful regression of heart enlargement without affecting contractility.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiac hypertrophy.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) are commonly used to manage hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of alacepril on cardiac mass and function in hypertensive patients.
Main Methods:
- A 1-year study involving 12 hypertensive patients treated with alacepril.
- Echocardiography was used to assess left ventricular mass and cardiac pump function.
- Blood pressure, electrocardiography, and chest x-ray findings were also monitored.
Main Results:
- Alacepril significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Left ventricular mass significantly decreased, indicating regression of cardiac hypertrophy.
- Cardiac pump function, electrocardiographic, and chest x-ray findings showed no significant alterations.
Conclusions:
- Long-term alacepril treatment effectively reduces blood pressure and cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive patients.
- The treatment does not adversely affect cardiac contractile function.
Abstract:
The effects of long-term treatment of hypertensive patients with alacepril (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) on cardiac mass and function were investigated. A total of 12 patients was examined. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced by treatment with alacepril for 1 year. Left ventricular mass, as estimated by echocardiography, was significantly decreased by alacepril treatment, although electrocardiographic and chest x-ray findings were not significantly altered. Cardiac pump function, which was also assessed by echocardiography, was not changed. These results indicate that long-term treatment of hypertension with alacepril induces regression of cardiac hypertrophy without any change in cardiac contractile function.