ONE-YEAR ANTIHYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT WITH AMLODIPINE - EFFECTS ON 24-HOUR BLOOD-PRESSURE AND LEFT-VENTRICULAR ANATOMY AND FUNCTION

Using digitized M-mode echocardiograms and 24-hour noninvasive ambulat ory blood pressure monitoring, we evaluated the effects of 1 year trea tment with amlodipine on left ventricular morphology and function in 1 0 hypertensives with left ventricular hypertrophy. Echocardiograms and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring were performed after 3 weeks of was h-out and after 1 year of oral treatment with amlodipine (5 mg once da ily). The therapy significantly lowered blood pressure, without change s in heart rate. Left ventricular mass decreased in all the patients a nd peak lengthening rate of left ventricular diameter, index of diasto lic function, increased in all, with normalization in 5 of the 6 with basal diastolic impairment. Peak shortening rate of left ventricular d iameter, index of systolic function, was normal in all at the basal ev aluation and did not change after therapy. The percentage reduction of left ventricular mass index significantly correlated with percentage decrease of 24-hour and day-time systolic and diastolic blood pressure . Amlodipine is able to induce regression of left ventricular diastoli c function and no changes of systolic function.