[Lercanidipine in the treatment of arterial hypertension].

This review summarizes data on the effectiveness of lercanidipine. Lercanidipine is dihydropyridine calcium antagonist of the third generation, characterized by high vazoselective, long duration of action and good antihypertensive effect. It may be assigned to elderly patients with isolated hypertension and has several important organoprotective properties.

[Controlled release metoprolol succinate in MERIT-HF. Analysis of patients subgroups].

Results of the investigation of metoprolol CR/XL which was conducted in large randomized controlled study MERIT-HF in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are presented. In the whole trial this beta1-selective blocker lowered mortality of patients with CHF. Analysis of results in subgroups shows that metoprolol CR/XL was equally effective in middle aged and old patients, in men and women.

[Long term use of a non-selective beta-blocker with vasodilating properties carvedilol in patients with severe heart failure].

Results of drug treatment of 51 patients (41 men, 10 women) aged 35-86 years (mean age 62 years) included into COPERNICUS trial are presented. All patients had compensated NYHA class IV chronic heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction less than 25%. For at least 2 months the patients received therapy with diuretics and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (84%) or angiotensin receptor blockers (16%) and then were randomized to either carvedilol or placebo.