EFFECT OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY WITH QUINAPRIL ON BLOOD-LIPIDS

This 16-week study evaluated the effects of quinapril on plasma lipids in 98 patients with mild to severe hypertension. After a 2-week place bo run-in, patients were given quinapril 10 mg once daily, with respon se-based titration up to 40 mg once daily. Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg was added for persistently high diastolic blood pressure. Blood press ure and levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HD L) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides (T G) were evaluated at the end of the placebo run-in and on the last day of treatment. Eighty-five percent of patients received quinapril only . Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced from baseline (2 3.6 mm Hg and 13.4 mm Hg, respectively). Global response rate was 83.6 %. TC and LDL cholesterol significantly decreased after treatment; HDL cholesterol increased. TG levels remained relatively unchanged. Eight drug-related adverse events, most commonly mild dizziness, occurred. One patient withdrew from the study as a result of moderate hypotensio n while taking quinapril 10 mg. No first-dose effects were reported. A ntihypertensive treatment with quinapril produces mild but significant , favorable changes in plasma cholesterol.