Long-term indapamide retard therapy in adolescents with Stage I arterial hypertension

Abstract

Aim. To study the dynamics of office blood pressure (BP) levels, autonomic balance, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular remodelling in adolescents with Stage I arterial hypertension (AH), treated with indapamide retard (IR). Material and methods. In total, the study included 41 adolescent boys, aged 16-18 years, with Stage I AH (main group, MG), and 27 healthy adolescents (control group, CG). The MG participants received, IR (1,5 mg/day) for 6 months. At baseline and in the end of the study, all participants underwent office BP measurement, echocardiography, veloergometry, and the assessment of heart rate variability (HRV), endothelial dysfunction (reactive hyperemia test, endotelin-1 levels), microalbuminuria (MAU), and vascular parameters, such as large artery rigidity and intima-media thickness. Results. Target BP levels were achieved in all MG patients by Week 4 of the treatment, with normal BP values registered throughout the follow-up period. Indapamide therapy was associated with decreased hemodynamic cardiovascular load, normalized endothelial function, and MAU disappearance. IR monotherapy had beneficial effects on HRV, due to moderate parasympathetic stimulation. Conclusion. IR is an effective and safe medication for long-term treatment of adolescents with Stage I AH.