[Hypotensive and hemodynamic effects of guanfacine in arterial hypertension]

The therapeutic efficacy of guanfacine was investigated in a group of 32 hypertensive patients. Guanfacine caused a marked decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance (by 19.8%, p less than 0.001) and, hence, in blood pressure (by 19.4%), p less than 0.001). A slight reduction in the heart rate (by 9.8%, p less than 0.01) was compensated by an increase in stroke volume (by 11.8%, p less than 0.05) so that cardiac output remained constant or was even slightly raised. After 4 weeks of treatment there was a regression of the left ventricular wall thickness and mass (by 7.43 +/- 2.44 g, p less than 0.05). Guanfacine monotherapy was effective in 75% of patients with moderate hypertension (using low doses 1-3 mg/day). In severe hypertensive disease a satisfactory therapeutic response was mostly achieved by a combination of Guanfacine (3-5 mg/day) with a beta-blocker, diuretic or vasodilator. Guanfacine is a promising agent in the long-term treatment of stable hypertension, particularly in patients, whom diuretics or beta-blockers are contraindicated.