Abstract
Background: J-RHYTHM II study has shown that treatment of hypertension suppressed episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with hypertension with the history of AF. The effect of lowering blood pressure by olmesartan on AF burden, vascular inflammation markers, and autonomic nerve activity is unknown. Methods: In this prospective study of 40 cases of essential hypertension with history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, including 17 with new administration of olmesartan (Group A) and 23 with substituting olmesaltan for other antihypertensive drug (Group B), Holter electrocardiogram, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and a panel of vascular inflammation markers were performed before and after 6-month administration of olmesartan. All patients were followed by using daily portable ECG recordings in spite of symptoms (twice ECG/day), and were encouraged to submit further ECGs in any case of symptoms. Results: In group A, blood pressure was significantly lower (Systolic blood pressure; 147±15 mmHg vs 127±16 mmHg, p<0.05, Diastolic blood pressure; 79±11 mmHg vs 73±9 mmHg, p<0.05), but AF burden was not decreased (11±25% vs 6±13%, p=NS) at the follow-up period with olmesartan 14.4±6.5 mg. In group B, blood pressure was not significantly changed and AF burden was not decreased. In both groups, vascular inflammation markers and autonomic function did not significantly change. In conclusion, Treatment with olmesartan was not associated with a reduction in the incidence of recurrent AF.
Published Version
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