Effects of doxazosin on hemorheological, hemodynamic and lipid parameters in patients with essential hypertension

It is known from previous studies that hemorheological parameters are alter ed in patients with essential hypertension. The hemorheological and hemodyn amical effects of doxazosin, a selective alpha-1-adrenoreceptor blocker age nt, was examined in twenty patients (mean age: 54 +/- 10 years) with essent ial hypertension. Hemorheologic (hematocrit, fibrinogen, plasma and whole b lood viscosity) and hemodynamic (cardiac output and index, total peripheral resistance) parameters and plasma lipids were determined. The measurements were carried out before the beginning of the treatment, after 1 week and a fter 12 weeks treatment periods. Besides significant reduction of blood pre ssure and total peripheral resistance (p < 0.001), a decrease in cholestero l (p < 0.001) and triglyceride (p < 0.01) levels and a beneficial effect on hemorheological parameters was detected. Fibrinogen and plasma viscosity d ecreased significantly (p < 0.01). Hematocrit value was also lower after on e week (p < 0.001), then an increase could be seen. Whole blood viscosity s howed similar changes as hematocrit, but the degree of its final increase w as slighter, which was supported by the significantly lower value of correc ted blood viscosity (p < 0.05).