[Continuous long-term treatment with diuretics of hypertension and the status of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system].

One hundred fifty eight patients with essential hypertension (both in- and out-patients) at stages IIA and IIB were treated with diuretics: furosemide (120 mg/day) during three days followed by hydrochlorothiazide in the doses that allow maintaining the renal sodium and water transport of the changed level. Criteria developed for prognosis of the efficiency of diuretic therapy according to the degree of reduction of the mean BP and plasma renin activity after 3-day furosemide intake; indications were worked out for a simultaneous prescription of the potassium-sparing drug amiloride. A good hypotensive effect was noted (reduction of the mean BP by 10 mm Hg) during the first month of treatment in 60 and 70% of in-patients, and in 22 and 40% out-patients with IIB and IIA stages of the disease, respectively. During 6 months of prolonged treatment with diuretics (1-2 years) the sensitivity of the patients to the therapy was increased that permitted the dose of hydrochlorothiazide to be reduced to 25 mg a day or every other day. Patients with good hypotensive effect of therapy were noted to have less pronounced degree of activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, than that in patients with ineffective treatment.