REGRESSION OF LEFT VENTRICULAR HYPERTROPHY (LVH)

COMPARISON BETWEEN ACE INHIBITORS &DIURETICS

Abstract

Left ventricular hypertrophy is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Therefore
optimal anti-hypertensive therapy should provide the regression of LVH. There are certain group of drugs which cause
regression of LVH, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics. Objectives: To assess the
magnitude regression induced by captopril and indapamide when patients are treated for equal duration of time.
Patients & Methods: We gave captopril (25–150 mg) to eleven patients with left ventricular hypertrophy for six months
and another eight patients, indapamide 2.5 mg (Diuretic) was given for six months. Results: There was an overall
reduction of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) by 12.5% in patients taking captopril, while left ventricular mass index
(LVMI) decreased by 7.5% in patients taking indapamide. The LVMI decreased from 157.2±12.6 to 137.5±8.7g/m2
(Mean±SEM) and from 156.1±9.5 to 141.3± 8.5g/m2 (Mean±SEM) in patients taking captopril and indapamide
respectively. The mean blood pressure in both the groups decreased, systolic blood pressure decreased from 172 to
146 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure from 101 to 82 mm Hg. Conclusions: ACE inhibitors induce more regression
then diuretics when patients are treated for equal duration of time.