REGRESSION OF LEFT-VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPH Y DURING GALLOPAMIL RETARD THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH MILD-TO-MODERATE HYPERTENSION

Our clinical study examined the influence of the calciumantagonist Gal lopamil - a redox derivate of Verapamil - on the regression of left ve ntricular hypertrophy (LVH). 24 outpatients suffering from essential h ypertension WHO I-II had been administered Gallopamil retard (2 x 100 mg/day) over a period of 6 months. We achieved a highly significant (p < 0.001) reduction of systolic (SEP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressu re from 178.19 +/- 7.29 mmHg and 100.42 +/- 2.83 mmHg before therapy t o 155.07 +/- 7.36 mmHg and 82.92 +/- 6.37 mmHg after therapy respectiv ely. Increase of SEP, DPB and heart rate at maximal peak exercise afte r therapy was reduced markedly compared to baseline. Accordingly the p ressure-heartrate-product increased from 28.240 +/- 2.359 mmHg at base line to 22.622 +/- 2.076 mmHg after therapy. Depending upon reduction of SEP and DBP wall thickness quantified by Magnetic Resonance (MR) de clined by 11.46% (apex), 7.44% (septum) and 6.47% (lateral wall). No a dverse effects were observed under Gallopamil treatment. In conclusion Gallopamil revealed to be a suitable drug for treatment of essential hypertension causing additional regression of LVH.