[Antihypertensive effect of fosinopril in mild hypertension].

The aim of this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the antihypertensive and safety of fosinopril in mild essential hypertension. After a 2-week placebo period, patients received either placebo or fosinopril 20 mg, once daily. Thirty-four patients finished the study (18 patients in the placebo group and 16 patients in the fosinopril group). Systolic blood pressure decreased from 160.1 +/- 22.1 mmHg to 156.0 +/- 24.2 in the placebo group (NS) and from 151.8 +/- 14.0 mmHg to 141.5 +/- 14.5 in the fosinopril group (p < 0.005); diastolic blood pressure decreased from 100.1 +/- 2.4 mmHg to 94.3 +/- 7.4 mmHg in the placebo group (p < 0.005) and from 100.8 +/- 4.8 mmHg to 88.1 +/- 9.0 mmHg in the fosinopril group (p < 0.001). Mean decrease in diastolic blood pressure was 5.7 mmHg in the placebo group and 12.6 mmHg in the fosinopril group (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference was seen between the percentage of controlled patients in the two groups: 16.6% in the placebo group vs 56.2% in the fosinopril group (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in biochemical parameters was seen between the two groups. Tolerance was good and no patients were withdrawn from the study for adverse events.