Long-Term Follow-up of Patients with Hypertensive Disease Treated with Guanethidine

Sixty-three hypertensive patients treated with guanethidine, usually in conjunction with chlorthalidone, were followed up for periods as long as 2(1/2) years. The guanethidine dosage was not found to be related to the size of the patient, duration of hypertension or its severity. Two patients developed intolerable syncope without satisfactory control of blood pressure. No aggravation of bronchitis or diabetes was observed. Faintness and diarrhea occasioned by the drug lessened with time. Symptomatic improvement was noted in the majority, as was improvement in the optic fundus, the electrocardiogram and the heart size. Four deaths were unrelated to therapy, but were the result of complications of underlying vascular disease.