1. ¹Department of Cardiology, San Gennaro Hospital, Naples, Italy
2. ²Division of Cardiology and ICU, San Giovanni Bosco Hospital, Naples, Italy
3. ³Department of Geriatrics, Second University, Naples, Italy
4. ⁴Division of Cardiology and ICU, Loreto Mare Hospital, Naples, Italy

Correspondence: D Galzerano, Transoesophageal and Three-Dimensional Echocardiography Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, San Gennaro Hospital, via Francesco Giordani 42, 80122 Naples, Italy. E-mail: domenicogalzerano@libero.it

Received 20 May 2003; Revised 13 August 2003; Accepted 13 August 2003.

Abstract

Antihypertensive efficacy, effects on left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and tolerability of telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, were compared with those of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Adult patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and an optimal acoustic window by two-dimensional echocardiography were randomised at baseline to 12 months' double-blind, once-daily treatment with telmisartan 80 mg or HCTZ 25 mg. Two-dimensional echocardiography and freehand precordial three-dimensional echocardiography and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed at baseline and after treatment. Of the 41 telmisartan group patients and 28 HCTZ group patients, 40 and 25, respectively, completed the study. Following treatment, 24-h mean SBP (telmisartan 157 11 vs 133 7 mmHg, P<0.001; HCTZ 154 10 vs 144 11 mmHg, P<0.003) and DBP (telmisartan 96 6 vs 83 5 mmHg, P<0.001; HCTZ 95 7 vs 87 8 mmHg, P<0.003) were significantly reduced. Telmisartan produced significantly greater 24-h mean SBP and DBP reductions than HCTZ (P<0.001). LVMI was significantly reduced by telmisartan (141 16 vs 125 19 g/m², P<0.001), but not by HCTZ (139 20 vs 135 22 g/m²). Incidences of adverse events in both the treatment groups were low; two cases of hypokalaemia occurred with HCTZ. In conclusion, telmisartan 80 mg was well tolerated and significantly reduced SBP, DBP and LVMI after 12 months' treatment compared with HCTZ.