[Advantages of long-term controlled stepwise therapy of arterial hypertension with the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor spirapril].

AIM

Achievement of long-term effective control of blood pressure (BP) in patients suffering from arterial hypertension by means of elaboration of stage by stage program of antihypertensive therapy and proof of its advantage over prescription of hypotensive drugs in real clinical practice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Effect of spirapril on parameters of vasomotor function of the endothelium were assessed. In randomized comparative prospective study with 1 year duration we included patients with mild and moderate arterial hypertension. The study group received stepwise antihypertensive therapy based on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor spirapril. Comparison group continued to take hypotensive drugs prescribed in conditions of outpatients clinic.

RESULTS

Sixty patients (79.6% women) were included in the study (30--in the study group, 30--in comparison group). Lowering of BP was observed in the process of therapy in both groups. Among patients of spirapril group lowering of BP was more pronounced and occurred more quickly with achievement of target level of systolic BP <140 mm Hg and diastolic BP <80 1 month after beginning of treatment. Under the influence of therapy with spirapril for 6 months improvement of function of the endothelium was noted.

CONCLUSION

In the process of stepwise therapy with the use of spirapril effective long-term control of BP is more quickly achieved compared with standard treatment of arterial hypertension, and improvement of vasomotor function of endothelium also occurs.