American heart journal
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American heart journal · Nov 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialTreatment and post-treatment effects of alpha- versus beta-receptor blockers on left ventricular structure and function in essential hypertension.
This study was undertaken to compare the effects of alpha-receptor blockade and beta-receptor blockade on left ventricular structure and function in essential hypertension. The increase in left ventricular mass in patients with essential hypertension is at least partly induced by the sympathetic nervous system. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial to compare the effects of alpha-blockers and beta-blockers on left ventricular structure and function. ⋯ Furthermore, the increase in diastolic filling was lost shortly after withdrawal of metoprolol concomitant with the increase in heart rate. We conclude that alpha-blockers and beta-blockers are equally capable of reducing left ventricular mass in hypertensive patients. beta-Blockers lead to an increase in diastolic left ventricular filling. This effect may be of therapeutic value because diastolic dysfunction may precede systolic dysfunction in hypertensive heart disease.