Güngör Ertem

The effect of amlodipine on the mass and functions of the left ventricle in patients with primary hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the effects of amlodipine in patients with mild-to-moderate primary hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Nineteen patients (6 women, 13 men; mean age, 52 years) with primary hypertension were included in the study and all completed the study. After the 2-week, single-blind placebo phase, 5 mg/d oral amlodipine was initiated. If diastolic blood pressure (DBP) could not be reduced below the target level (⩽90 mm Hg) after 6 weeks of treatment, the dose of amlodipine was increased to 10 mg/d. Clinical evaluation was performed at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 18, 22, and 26, and echocardiography at the end of the placebo phase and at weeks 14 and 26. No significant reduction in blood pressure was recorded during the placebo phase. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (mean ± SE) were 163 ± 20 mm Hg and 102 ± 5.4 mm Hg, respectively, at the end of the placebo phase; these values were reduced to 139 ± 19 mm Hg ( P P 2 at the end of the placebo phase; it decreased to 129 ± 20 g/m 2 at week 14 ( P 2 at week 26 ( P P