Abstract

The evaluation of haemodynamic patterns in hypertensive patients by radionuclide techniques and a tomographic gamma camera has revealed differences between older and younger patients. In younger hypertensive patients, the hyperkinetic state is reflected in an increase in heart rate and, consequently, an increased cardiac index and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in comparison with normotensive controls. Older hypertensive patients, however, show a different haemodynamic pattern, with reduced systolic and diastolic function at rest compared with normotensive elderly people, and marked depression of cardiac reserve during exercise. Elderly hypertensive patients also show strikingly higher hyperresistance and reduced peripheral perfusion in comparison with younger hypertensive patients. These haemodynamic differences need to be taken into account when considering antihypertensive treatment. In a study in elderly hypertensive patients, lacidipine treatment (4 mg/day for 90 days) produced a significant decrease in total peripheral resistance and blood pressure, together with a reduction in left ventricular (LV) afterload and an increase in cardiac output and LVEF (tending towards normal values). The LV peak filling rate was also increased, and evaluation of systolic and diastolic cardiac reserve during exercise showed positive changes in cardiac performance. The haemodynamic changes with lacidipine were similar to those produced by other long-acting dihydropyridines [nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system (GITS) and nitrendipine], but changes occurring with nisoldipine were less significant. The reduction in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an obvious goal of antihypertensive therapy, and several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of lacidipine treatment in decreasing LVH in hypertensive patients. In hypertensive patients with associated LV dysfunction, favourable effects on global parameters of LV function similar to those with amlodipine have been noted with lacidipine. Myocardial blood flow was strikingly increased during lacidipine treatment and coronary resistance was significantly decreased, both at baseline and after maximal vasodilatation with dipyridamole. Thus, lacidipine's vasodilatory and anti-ischaemic profile makes it an appropriate choice for the treatment of hypertension.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.