[Efficacy and tolerability of a cardioselective beta-blocking drug (atenolol) in the treatment of essential hypertension. A double blind study (author's transl)].

The antihypertensive effect of atenolol, a new beta 1 receptor blocking agent, was studied in a double blind non cross-over trial in 40 patients (pts) affected by mild to moderately severe essential hypertension with normal plasma renin activity. After a run-in period (15 days) of placebo treatment pts were assigned to two groups. The first (group A) continued placebo treatment for 30 days, the second (Group B) were given atenolol (ICI 66082) 100 mg daily for 30 days also. Atenolol significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in recumbent and standing position and heart rate at rest. No significantly changes of the same parameters were observed in group A. Body weight and plasma renin activity was unchanged in both groups. Atenolol treatment never was discharged in order to side effects. These results seem to suggest that atenolol can be an useful drug in the treatment of systemic blood hypertension.