Effects of valsartan on p-wave dispersion in middle-aged patients with essential hypertension

Objective To compare the effects of valsartan and felodipine on P-wave dispersion(Pd) after12-week treatment in middle-aged patients with essential hypertension. Methods One hundred and thirty-two middle-aged mild to moderate hypertensive patients with sinus rhythm were randomly assigned to two groups of 66 patients each.The test group and control group took valsatran and felodipine,respectively.Clinical blood pressure was evaluated every day,12-lead surface electrocardiongrams were taken and left atrial diameter was measured by echocardio-graphy before and after 12-week drug therapy. Results Compared with the baseline the post -treatment values of systolic blood pressure(P0.01),diastolic blood pressure (P0.01),and left ventricular mass index(P0.05)were significantly decreased in both groups and the extents of decrease were similar between two groups.After 12-week treatment,the maximum P-wave duration(Pmax)and pd were significantly decreased in both groups(P0.01),and the decrease was more marked in test group than in control group (P0.01 for pmax,P0.05 for Pd). Conclusion Both valsatran and felodipine are effective drugs to reduce blood pressure,reverse left ventricular hypertrophy,and cause similar blood pressure reduction.Valsartan has much greater lowering effect on pmax and Pd values than felodipine.