The Effect Of Calcium Antagonist On Plasma Brain Natriuretic Peptide In Treating Hypertensive Patients With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

[Objective] The aim of this research is to provide lab evidence for clinical practice in choosing anti-hypertension drug. To accomplish this objective, the following laboratory activities were conducted: (1) observed the level of plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and (2) investigated the effect of long acting calcium antagonists on the level of BNP, the reversion of LVH in treating these patients, and the relation between BNP and LVH.[Methods] Fifty patients with essential hypertension were selected. They were newly diagnosed or without regular treatments. Fifteen healthy subjects served as control. The plasma BNP concentration was measured by MEIA, and the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was determined by echocardiogram. Based on the LVMI data, the hypertensive patients were divided into the "LVH group" with 30 patients, and the "NON-LVH group" with 20 patients. Compare the differences of the BNP level among the three groups, A correlation analysis between plasma BNP and LVMI was made in hypertensive patients. The patients with LVH were given long acting calcium antagonists for 6± 3 months, after which time a comparison of the difference in the BNP level and LVMI was evaluated before and after treatment.[Results] (1) The level of plasma BNP was significantly increased(P<0.01) in hypertensive patients with LVH[(56. 55 ± 35. 29) pg/ml] compared with those without LVH[(21. 98 ± 10. 75) pg/ml] and healthy subjects[(16. 93±6. 57) pg/ml] (2)The level of plasma BNP in hypertensive patients without LVH was slightly higher than that in healthy subjects, but it was not statistical significance(P> 0. 05). (3) The plasma BNP positively correlated with LVMI in hypertensive patients(r=0.551, P=0.000). (4) Both the level of plasma BNP and LVMI were...