[Therapeutic value of pratsiol and its effect on indicators of central and peripheral hemodynamics in patients with hypertension].

Thirty-eight patients with stage IIB essential hypertension have been studied to determine the therapeutic activity of prazosine (pratsiol, "Orion" company, Finland) and its influence on the parameters of the central and peripheral hemodynamics. It has been established that following the oral administration of the drug, a hypotensive effect develops in 90-120 min and lasts for about six h. After a three-week course of treatment, the arterial pressure in the majority of patients decreased due to a reduction in the total peripheral resistance and the tone of the resistant vessels (arterioles). Simultaneously, there was an increase in the heart rate, end diastolic and stroke volumes and in the cardiac output. In a smaller portion of patients, the arterial pressure decreased due to the predominant reduction in the venous tone; the elasticity of the veins increased sharply, the end diastolic stroke and minute volumes diminished. The heart rate and total peripheral resistance showed no statistically significant changes. It has been established that pratsiol acts as an arterial and venous vasodilator and that it is advisable to use the drug in combination with beta-blockers and diuretics.