Left Ventricular mass Regression with Amlodipine in Elderly Hypertensives

Abstract

We evaluated effect of amlodipine therapy on left ventricular (LV) mass and function indices in 34 elderly hypertensives having echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). LV mass and LV function indices were evaluated before and after 4 months of effective amlodipine therapy. Fourteen patients completed the study. Blood pressure was effectively controlled in all the patients; dose requirement of amlodipine being 5 mg/day in 8 and 10 mg/day in 6 patients. We found significant regression of LV mass indices such as thickness of interventricular septum (IVS) and left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW), and LV mass index after 4 months of amlodipine therapy. However, LV function indices did not alter following treatment. In conclusion, amlodipine therapy besides effectively contrlolling BP in elderly hypertensives, produced significant regression of LV mass indices without affecting the LV function.