Effect of the calcium channel blocker nitrendipine on left ventricular mass in patients with hypertension
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Nitrendipine effectively lowers blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. However, this calcium channel blocker did not significantly reduce left ventricular (LV) mass in the study participants.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Left ventricular (LV) mass reductions are observed with some antihypertensive agents.
- Vasodilator therapy typically shows minimal impact on LV mass.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effect of the calcium channel blocker nitrendipine on echocardiographic LV mass.
- To evaluate nitrendipine's impact on LV mass in patients with mild hypertension.
Main Methods:
- A 12-month study involving 58 patients with mild hypertension.
- Nitrendipine administered as monotherapy (30 patients) or in combination with propranolol/diuretic (28 patients).
- Echocardiographic measurements of LV mass and blood pressure monitoring.
Main Results:
- Nitrendipine monotherapy lowered supine blood pressure (148/97 to 136/83 mm Hg).
- Combination therapy also reduced supine blood pressure (155/103 to 134/86 mm Hg).
- No significant changes in LV mass were observed in either treatment group.
Conclusions:
- Nitrendipine demonstrates efficacy in reducing blood pressure in mild hypertension.
- Blood pressure reduction with nitrendipine was not associated with significant changes in LV mass.
- Further research may be needed to explore LV mass changes with other antihypertensive strategies.
Abstract:
Reductions in left ventricular (LV) mass have been reported after antihypertensive therapy with certain sympatholytic agents and converting enzyme inhibitors, but little or no improvement has been noted after vasodilator therapy. In this study we evaluated the effect of the calcium channel blocker nitrendipine on echocardiographic LV mass. During a 12-month period, nitrendipine was used as monotherapy in 30 patients and in combination with propranolol or a diuretic in an additional 28 patients. Nitrendipine monotherapy lowered supine blood pressure from 148/97 to 136/83 mm Hg, but LV mass did not change significantly. Supine blood pressure decreased from 155/103 to 134/86 mm Hg in patients receiving combination therapy but, again, changes in LV mass were not significant. These data suggest that nitrendipine is effective in lowering blood pressure, but this is not associated with a significant decrease in LV mass in patients with mild hypertension.