Importance of blood pressure control in left ventricular mass regression

Blood pressure (BP) reduction to 140/90 mm Hg or lower using renin-angiotensin-system blockers reportedly provides the greatest left ventricular (LV) mass regression; β-blockers have less effect. This study examined whether combination antihypertensive therapy would provide greater benefit. With a double-blind, parallel-group design, the effects of 3 different combinations, carvedilol controlled-release (CR)/lisinopril, atenolol/lisinopril, and lisinopril, on left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were assessed by MRI after 12 months. Patients were treated to achieve guideline-recommended BP (<140 mm Hg/<90 mm Hg; diabetes: <130 mm Hg/<80 mm Hg). Sample size was calculated to achieve 90% power to detect a 5 g/m² difference in mean change from baseline in LVMI between the carvedilol CR/lisinopril group and each of the other treatment groups. Of 287 patients randomized, more than 50% were titrated to maximum dosage; 73% reached targeted BP. At month 12 (last observation carried forward ≥ month 9) for 195 evaluable subjects, mean BP was similar in all groups (carvedilol CR/lisinopril: 128.8/77.9; atenolol/lisinopril: 128.7/76.5; lisinopril: 126.3/80.3 mm Hg). Compared with baseline, mean LVMI decreased to a similar extent in all groups (carvedilol CR/lisinopril: –6.3; atenolol/lisinopril: –6.7; lisinopril: –7.9 g/m²). Achievement of targeted BP control is more important than treatment regimen in achieving LV mass reduction.