[Angiotensin II receptor blocker telmisartan: effect on 24-hour blood pressure profile and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension].

AIM: To study antihypertensive efficacy of monotherapy with telmisartan and its action on left ventricular myocardium remodeling in patients with hypertension. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Telmisartan (40-80 mg/day) was given for 24 weeks to 24 patients aged 37-69 years with I-II degree of blood pressure (BP) elevation and hypertrophy of left ventricular myocardium. Antihypertensive action of telmisartan was assessed by 24-hour BP monitoring. Left ventricular myocardial mass was estimated by echocardiography before and after 24 weeks of therapy. RESULTS: Telmisartan equally decreased both diurnal and nocturnal systolic and diastolic BP (by10.4-11.7%), lowered maximal BP during morning hours, and restored initially disturbed 24-hour BP rhythm. Target BP levels were achieved in 16 patients (70%). Therapy with telmisartan was associated with significant 10.9% reduction of left ventricular myocardial mass index (from 151.6-/+5.4 to 135.1-/+5.9 g/m2, p=0,02) at the account of decreased thickness of left ventricular wall. CONCLUSION: These results give reason for the use of telmisartan for the treatment of patients with hypertensive disease and left ventricular hypertrophy.