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Long-term effects of losartan on blood pressure and left ventricular structure in essential hypertension

A Himmelmann1, A Svensson, A Bergbrant

  • 1Department of Medicine, Ostra University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.

Journal of Human Hypertension
|November 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Losartan effectively lowers blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Long-term use did not significantly alter left ventricular mass but increased left ventricular wall thickness.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is a common condition associated with cardiovascular risks.
  • Left ventricular mass (LVM) is a key indicator of cardiac remodeling in hypertensive patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the effects of losartan and atenolol on blood pressure and left ventricular mass in patients with essential hypertension.
  • To evaluate the long-term effects of losartan on left ventricular structure and blood pressure control.

Main Methods:

  • A 12-week randomized, double-blind study comparing losartan and atenolol in 24 hypertensive patients.
  • An open-label, extended follow-up period for 19 patients treated with losartan, with echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular structures.

Main Results:

  • Both losartan and atenolol effectively reduced blood pressure (BP).
  • Losartan showed a trend towards reducing LVM compared to atenolol during the initial phase.
  • Long-term losartan treatment significantly reduced BP and LV internal diameter, but increased interventricular septal and posterior wall thickness, with no significant change in calculated LVM.

Conclusions:

  • Losartan is effective for long-term blood pressure reduction in essential hypertension.
  • While not significantly altering overall LVM, losartan treatment led to increased left ventricular wall thickness.
  • Further research may be needed to fully elucidate the long-term cardiac remodeling effects of losartan.

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