[The efficacy of lysinopril (and/or its combination with hydrochlorothiazide) in patients with essential hypertension].

The aim of the study was to estimate the efficacy of lysinopril (and/or its combination with hydrochlorothiazide) in terms of alteration of the diurnal AP profile and heart rhythm in patients with essential hypertension (EH). The study included 47 patients (18 men. 29 women) with grade 1-3 EN (I-II stages). They were given lysinopril at a single dose of 3-5 mg/day after the initial non-treatment period of 1-2 weeks. The dose was increased up to 20 mg in the absence of effect within the first 3-5 days and supplemented with 12.5 hydrochlorothiazide if the response was still absent after 4 weeks. The follow up period was 4 and 12 weeks. Lysinopril was shown to effectively reduce AP in 72.3% of the patients within 4 weeks and in 87.2% if given in combination with hydrochlorothiazide for 12 weeks. It is concluded that long-term monotherapy or combined therapy with lysinopril stabilizes the disturbed diurnal AP profile, decreases variability and morning rises of AP, normalizes vegetative regulation of heart rhythms, and promotes regression of myocardial hypertrophy.