[Study of the mechanism of regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension treated with slow-release verapamil].

Thirty-three hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy were treated with slow-release verapamil for 1 year. The left ventricula mass index (LVMI) and the concentration of intracellular calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) of lymphocytes were studied respectively at the beginning, the third, the sixth and the twelveth month of treatment. The results revealed that: 1 the LVMI was positively correlated with [Ca2+]i and mean arterial pressure (MAP); 2 the LVMI, [Ca2+]i and MAP were significantly decreased, after treatment; 3 the degree of reduction of LVMI (delta LVMI) was positively correlated with the degree of lowering of [Ca2+]i (delta [Ca2+]i) and MAP (delta MAP); 4 the LVMI and [Ca2+]i showed no significant change at the third month but significant decrease at the sixth and twelveth month of treatment. It suggests that besides the decrease of MAP the decrease of [Ca2+]i is a significant factor for mechanism of regression of LVH.