Related Experiment Videos
Effects of losartan on hypertension and left ventricular mass: a long-term study
M A Tedesco1, G Ratti, D Aquino
1Medical Surgical Institute of Cardiology, Second University of Naples, Italy.
Insights
Losartan effectively lowered blood pressure and reduced left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients over 22 months. This angiotensin II receptor antagonist demonstrated good tolerability compared to hydrochlorothiazide.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Essential hypertension remains a significant global health concern.
- Left ventricular mass is a critical indicator of cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients.
- Angiotensin II receptor antagonists offer a therapeutic alternative for managing hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-hypertensive efficacy of losartan.
- To assess the tolerability of losartan in patients with essential hypertension.
- To determine the effects of losartan on left ventricular mass over 22 months.
Main Methods:
- A 22-month, double-blind, randomized trial comparing losartan (50 mg once-daily) to hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg once-daily).
- Inclusion of 77 patients with essential hypertension, randomized into losartan (n=44) and HCTZ (n=33) groups.
- Comprehensive assessments including blood pressure monitoring, echocardiography, and laboratory tests at baseline, 10, and 22 months.
Main Results:
- Both losartan and hydrochlorothiazide significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
- Losartan demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing left ventricular mass index compared to hydrochlorothiazide.
- Losartan was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events reported.
Conclusions:
- Losartan is a well-tolerated and effective anti-hypertensive medication.
- Losartan significantly reduces left ventricular mass in patients with essential hypertension.
- Selective angiotensin II receptor antagonism with losartan offers cardiovascular benefits beyond blood pressure control.
Abstract:
This study evaluated the anti-hypertensive efficacy, tolerability and effects on left ventricular mass of losartan, a selective angiotensin II receptor antagonist, after 22 months in patients with essential hypertension. The study included 77 hypertensive patients who were randomised at baseline to 22 months double-blind once-daily treatment with losartan 50 mg (L group n = 44 patients, mean age 54+/-9 years) or hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (HCTZ group, n = 33 patients, mean age 56+/-7 years). Routine haematology, blood chemistry, standard electrocardiography, echocardiography and ambulatory non-invasive 24-h blood pressure (BP) monitoring were performed at baseline and after 10 and 22 months. The results showed good tolerability and a significant mean systolic and diastolic BP reduction in all groups (L group: 22 mm Hg and 11 mm Hg; HCTZ group: 11 mm Hg and 7 mm Hg, respectively for systolic and diastolic mean BP). Moreover, a remarkable reduction in left ventricular mass index was reached after 10 and 22 months only in the L group (L group: delta = -11 g/m2, P<0.02; HCTZ group: delta = -5 g/m2, P= 0.38). In conclusion, losartan was well tolerated and produced a significant reduction in BP and left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients