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[Left ventricular function in hypertension treated with beta blockers].
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|November 4, 1978
Summary
Atenolol, a beta-blocking agent, reduced blood pressure and heart rate in patients with essential hypertension. While initially decreasing left ventricular function, it showed improvement over 8 weeks, suggesting low risk for heart decompensation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Essential hypertension poses risks to cardiovascular health, particularly left ventricular function.
- Beta-blocking agents are commonly prescribed for hypertension management.
Purpose:
- To assess the effects of atenolol on left ventricular function in patients with essential hypertension.
- To evaluate changes in cardiac parameters during 8 weeks of atenolol treatment.
Summary:
- 14 hypertensive patients received 100 mg/day oral atenolol.
- Significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were observed after 4 weeks.
- Left ventricular systolic shortening initially decreased but improved by week 8; end-diastolic diameter remained unchanged.
Impact:
- Long-term atenolol therapy shows a transient reduction in left ventricular function, which recovers over time.
- The observed functional changes are slight, indicating a low likelihood of inducing left heart decompensation.
- Findings are particularly relevant for patients with initially normal left ventricular function.