The contribution of ambulatory blood pressure measurement to the evaluation of new antihypertensive drugs.

Ambulatory blood pressure recording can provide information on blood pressure changes throughout the day and night and during normal daily activities. The former features are of particular use in evaluating the duration of action and dose-response relationships for new antihypertensive drugs, especially those developed for once daily dosing. Improved precision and multiple measurements through the dose interval may reduce the number of patients required in trials. We have recently used ambulatory blood pressure recording to assess the magnitude and duration of the first dose of an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, quinapril, compared to placebo. In addition, the effects on blood pressure of long-acting calcium antagonists, alone and in combination, have been measured. Ambulatory blood pressure recording can complement conventional approaches in determining the dose range, frequency of administration and concentration-effect relationships of new and existing antihypertensive drugs.