MICROCIRCULATORY EFFECT OF FELODIPINE ON PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

The aim of this double blind placebo controlled crossover study is to show that apart from decreasing blood pressure felodipine improves mic rocirculation. 30 patients with essential hypertension and manifest mi croangiopathy were included. No patients dropped out on account of sid e effects although these occurred in the expected frequencies. The stu dy phases each extended for a week (10 mg/d felodipine or respectively a placebo). Blood pressure, blood and serum values, nail fold capilla ry circulation and oxygen partial pressure in muscle were measured. Th e blood pressure in the placebo phase remained constant. The increase of erythrocyte velocity in cutaneous capillaries and oxygen partial pr essure in muscle and the decrease of poorly supplied muscle areas caus ed by felodipine relevantly improved the microcirculation of skin and muscle by 50% and 30%. The vasomotor reserve increased by 50% owing to an antispastic effect of the substance. A theological effect was obse rved in the form of a decrease in plasma viscosity. Felodipine signifi cantly and relevantly decreased by 10% the systolic and diastolic bloo d pressures. Apart from decreasing blood pressure Felodipine causes a relevant and significant global improvement of microcirculation in ski n and skeletal muscle tissue.