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Systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of gallopamil in patients with essential hypertension

R G Ketelhut1, F H Messerli, C Losem

  • 1Medizinische Poliklinik, Universitäts-Klinikum Charité, Berlin, Germany.

Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy
|March 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

Gallopamil effectively lowers blood pressure and vascular resistance in hypertensive patients. This essential hypertension treatment did not cause fluid retention or lasting heart rate changes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Essential hypertension is a prevalent cardiovascular condition.
  • Managing blood pressure while avoiding adverse hemodynamic effects is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the hemodynamic effects of gallopamil in patients with essential hypertension.
  • To assess the impact of gallopamil on systemic and regional hemodynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Hemodynamic parameters were measured in 10 hypertensive patients before and during gallopamil therapy.
  • Cardiac output was determined using indocyanine dye; plasma volume and renal blood flow were measured radioisotopically.

Main Results:

  • An initial dose of slow-release gallopamil reduced arterial pressure and total peripheral resistance, with a transient increase in heart rate and cardiac output.
  • Sustained gallopamil treatment (8-12 weeks) maintained reduced arterial pressure and peripheral resistance without altering heart rate or cardiac output.
  • Gallopamil significantly decreased renal and splanchnic vascular resistance, without affecting plasma or total blood volume.

Conclusions:

  • Gallopamil effectively reduces arterial pressure and vascular resistance in essential hypertension.
  • The antihypertensive effect of gallopamil is achieved without significant fluid retention or prolonged reflex cardiovascular stimulation.

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