BLOOD-PRESSURE REDUCTION AND VASCULAR ADAPTATION - STUDY ON LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF TREATMENT WITH MEFRUSIDE OR ATENOLOL

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 205  (6) , 477-482
Abstract
Systemic BP [blood presure] reduction, calf blood flow and vascular resistance in the calf were determined in 42 previously untreated patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension (WHO I-WHO II) before and after 6 wk, 6 mo. and 18 mo. of BP-lowering treatment with mefruside (25 mg daily) or atenolol (100-400 mg daily). Blood flow was determined with venous occlusion plethysmography using a Hg-in-rubber strain gauge technique in the supine patient. Auscultatory BP was measured on the right arm simultaneously with the flow determinations and resistance was calculated from the flow and pressure. BP was reduced significantly and to the same extent by the 2 drugs. In the atenolol group a rise in resting resistance and a corresponding fall in resting blood flow was seen initially. These changes were entirely normalized during continued treatment for 18 mo. In the mefruside group no significant hemodynamic changes during treatment were observed at rest apart from the BP fall. None of the drugs reduced resistance at maximal vasodilatation, indicating that no regress of the hypertensive structural changes of the calf blood vessels had taken place.

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