KETANSERIN ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH ENALAPRIL IN THE TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION - ASSESSMENT OF THE HEMODYNAMIC-EFFECTS

The antihypertensive and haemodynamic efficacies of ketanserin and ket anserin plus enalapril were compared. The monotherapy phase of the stu dy involved the oral administration of 40 mg ketanserin twice daily or 20 mg enalapril once daily for 12 weeks to 25 hypertensive patients. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced by b oth drugs. Left ventricular function both at rest and during effort im proved significantly with either drug. This was due to a reduction of end-systolic volume; end-diastolic volume decreased only with the use of enalapril. Combination therapy, involving 16 patients and both drug s given at the original dosage schedule for 12 weeks, resulted in furt her reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and an impro vement in left ventricular function; indices of diastolic function wer e not modified. In conclusion, ketanserin and enalapril showed compara ble antihypertensive and haemodynamic activities. A combination of ket anserin and enalapril increased the favourable characteristics of both drugs.