Long-term effects of isradipine on blood pressure and renal function

The hemodynamic and renal effects of isradipine were investigated in 10 hypertensive patients treated for 3.5 months and in a further nine patients treated for two years. Both groups achieved significant and sustained reductions in systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure (-15 percent/-12 percent and -15 percent/-20 percent, respectively; p less than 0.001). Renal parameters were investigated two to three hours after the morning dose of isradipine, using a water-loading procedure. After 3.5 months of treatment, the glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow showed small increases (+6 percent and +9 percent, respectively, p less than 0.05), whereas, after two years, these changes were no longer present (+4 percent and 0 percent). Clearance of sodium and uric acid was increased by 40 percent (p less than 0.01) and 21 percent (p less than 0.01), respectively, after 3.5 months, and by 45 percent (p less than 0.05) and 23 percent (p less than 0.01), respectively, after two years. Lithium clearance studies revealed the natriuretic effect to be located in the proximal tubule. After 3.5 months, a significant relationship was found between the blood pressure response and the change in sodium excretion, but this relationship also was no longer present after two years. In conclusion, because of a maintained blood pressure-lowering effect while preserving renal function, and sustained natriuretic and uricosuric actions, isradipine can be considered a promising agent in the long-term treatment of arterial hypertension.