Placebo-controlled crossover comparison of spirapril at 3, 6, 12 and 24 mg once daily in mild to severe essential hypertension.

In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, 20 patients with mild to severe essential hypertension received 3 weeks of treatment with each of four dosages of spirapril (3, 6, 12 and 24 mg once daily) or placebo. Standing and supine blood pressures were measured by use of both an automatic oscillometric instrument (Dinamap) and a mercury sphygmomanometer over a 24-hour period. Spirapril at 6, 12 and 24 mg once daily produced similar reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

[Pharmacological basis for a fixed association of hydrochlorothiazide, amiloride hydrochloride, and timolol maleate (author's transl)].

The treatment of hypertension requires in many cases a therapeutic combination. This survey, carried out in 96 cases, shows the interest of a fixed combination including a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide), a potassium sparing (chlorhydrate of amiloride) and a beta-blocking agent (timolol maleate) as compared to therapy with a beta-blocking agent or diuretic alone. This combination, logical from a pharmacological view point, has proved significantly more effective (81% of patients were normalized) and as well tolerated (none additional side effect) as each of its components.

[Value of the timolol-hydrochlorothiazide-amiloride hydrochloride combination in the mass treatment of arterial hypertension. Results of a multinational study].

In a 10-week double-blind study, 283 hypertensive patients were treated with a beta-blocker (timolol) alone, a combination of two diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide + amiloride) or a combination of both types of treatment. The results on blood pressure figures were very much in favor of the combination therapy as compared to monotherapy. In a second step, the trial was unblinded and all patients continued with the beta-blocker/diuretic combination for a total of 24 weeks.

[Evaluation of cardiac performance in the hypertensive patient. Effect of a beta-blocking agent: atenolol].

Cardiac output (isotopic dilution method) and systolic time intervals were studied in 11 sustained and 8 borderline essential hypertensive patients, before and after intravenous administration of atenolol, a potent beta-blocking agent. Atenolol decreased significantly (p less than 0.01) cardiac output and heart rate.