Prevention of losartan and amiodarone in relapse of atrial fibrillation in essential hypertension

Objective To observe whether the combined use of losartan and amiodarone could reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation(AF) in essential hypertension(EH).Methods A total of 178 patients with EH and persistent or paroxysmal AF undergoing sinus rhythm(SR) control by electrical conversion or drugs were randomly divided into losartan group(100～150 mg/d,n=89) and amlodipine group(5～10 mg/d,n=89).Amiodarone were administered to maintain SR in both groups.AF recurrence,left atrial dimension(LAD),left atrial end-diastolic volume(LAEDV),left atrial end-systolic volume(LAESV) and left atrial ejection fraction(LAEF) were compared between two groups after 1 year.Results AF recurrence,LAD,LAEDV and LAESV improved obviously in losartan group(P0.01 or 0.05) compared with amlodipine group.LAEF increased remarkably in both groups, especially in losartan group(P0.01).Conclusion Losartan may reduce the recurrence of AF in patients with EH by reversing the left ventricular hypertrophy,delaying the left atrial enlargement,and improving atrial electric and structural remodeling.