Effect of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, valsartan, on neurohumoral factors in patients with hypertension: comparison with a long-acting calcium channel antagonist, amlodipine.

This study compared the effects of amlodipine and valsartan on the sympathetic nervous system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and brain natriuretic peptide, which are considered important parameters of the long-term prognosis. Seventy-three elderly patients, who had received antihypertensive treatment for more than 6 months with amlodipine, participated in this study. They were randomized to the V group (n = 36) and switched to valsartan from amlodipine, or to the A group (n = 37), which continued treatment with amlodipine.

Coronary endothelium-dependent and independent vasomotor responses in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

It is well known that coronary flow reserve (CFR) is decreased in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), but it is unclear whether coronary endothelial function is impaired. Coronary endothelial function and CFR in the coronary macro- and microcirculation was evaluated in 14 patients with HCM and 11 control subjects. Acetylcholine (ACh), bradykinin (BK) and papaverine were infused into the left coronary artery.