LAUSR

Objective: ACE-inhibitors (ACEi) are a first choice treatment in arterial hypertension as reported in European and American guidelines. However, in order to reach the optimal target blood pressure (BP), frequently adding another drug is needed. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the addition of a beta-blocker (BB) can lead BP to target and whether there is a difference between BBs Design and method: We have recruited 2 groups of patients (pts) treated with ACEi who weren’t to BP target. First group (Group A), (50 pts 23 F; 27 M, age 62,6) has started treatment adding atenolol while second group (group B), (50 pts 21 F, 29 M, age 62,12) bisoprolol. Comorbidities (hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and use of tobacco) were similar in the 2 groups. The doses of BBs were determined by the achievement of a 60 bpm mean heart rate. All pts monitored their BP at home (twice a day during a week) and 24 hours ambulatory monitoring (ABPM) was performed before and 1 month after the treatment. Results: After 1 month 38 pts of the group A and 43 pts of the group B were to BP target. Furthermore, the systolic BP in group A decreased from 142,38 mm Hg to 131,17 mm Hg (-7,9%, p ns) and the diastolic BP from 89,44 mm Hg to 79,89 mm Hg (- 10,7%); in group B systolic BP decreased from 142,83 mm Hg to 126,05 mm Hg (-11,7%) and the diastolic from 89,39 mm Hg to 75,04 mm Hg (- 16,05%). Pts didn’t experience any side effects. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that adding bisoprolol to a ACEi reduced BP in more pts compared to atenolol allowing to reach target.