[Captopril in the treatment of essential hypertension (author's transl)].

The antihypertensive effect of captopril was tested on 19 patients with essential hypertension, WHO grade I or II. In 11 patients blood pressure levels returned to normal over an observation period of 12 weeks at a dose of 3 C 50-150 mg daily (group A). In eight patients with grade II hypertension the absolute blood-pressure reduction was the same, but did not reach normal levels (group B). Although additional intake of propranolol, at a dose of 3 X 40 mg daily, achieved further reduction, normal pressures were still not attained. Initial blood pressure levels were higher and plasma-renin activity lower in patients of group B than of group A. There was a definite rise in plasma-renin activity with captopril, but corresponding to the suppression of plasma-renin in severe hypertension it was less. There was a fall in plasma-aldosterone levels, corresponding to a reduced angiotensin II level as a result of inhibition of the converting enzyme. The fall in plasma-aldosterone activity was less in severe hypertension, although there was the same inhibition of converting enzyme activity in both groups. Normochromic anaemia was noted in three patients, requiring further observation and explanation. No patient developed orthostatic hypotension or reflex tachycardia.