Hemodynamic response to chronic ketanserin treatment in essential hypertension

Ketanserin (120 mg/day) or placebo was given orally to 14 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension according to a double-blind crossover protocol, each treatment period lasting 6 weeks. Resting intraarterial pressure in the recumbent position was reduced from 150/84 to 141/77 mm Hg; the hypotensive effect persisted throughout an uninterrupted graded exercise test to the point of exhaustion. The hemodynamic effects were similar at rest and during exercise. Overall, systemic vascular resistance decreased by 14%, heart rate fell by 5%, but stroke volume and cardiac output increased. The pressor responses to methoxamine and to phenylephrine were reduced by ketanserin.