PubMed1991
The pharmacological treatment of hypertension raises not only the dilemma of the election of the most suitable drugs given to each patient, but also that of an effective control of the antihypertensive effect as well as undesirable reactions, including an accentuated hypotension. Continuous ambulatory monitoring (CAM) is an effective form of diagnosis and therapeutic control of hypertension. In order to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a new concentration of diltiazem (240 mg) in tablets of sustained release, for a single daily intake, a double blind, randomized, crossed study with placebo, was performed in 20 patients with mild to moderate hypertension and a positive ergometric test. Clinical, electrocardiographic, ergometric and CAM controls were carried out. A significant difference was observed for diltiazem monodosis 240 mg in relation to placebo with respect to the reduction of systolic and diastolic pressures, not only in clinical controls but also during the CAM, in both diurnal and nocturnal periods during 24 hours. In ergometric studies, a significant difference was also noted in the following parameters: total time of exercise, burden in kilos, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the underlevel of ST. It is concluded that diltiazem monodosis, 240 mg, led to a sustained antihypertensive action throughout the 24 hours, with good clinical tolerance, improving ergometry and CAM. We suggest that diltiazem is a first choice drug for there patients in whom the exclusive treatment of hypertension has not prevented, up to now, the occurrence of ischemic cardiopathy.