Effects of bisoprolol on left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension

Summary Previous studies have shown that beta-adrenergic blocking drugs can reverse ventricular hypertrophy in patients with systemic hypertension. Thirty patients with essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy were studied at baseline after withdrawing all previous treatments and after 6 months of treatment with 5–20 mg of bisoprolol, a new beta-selective agent, to assess its possible action on left ventricular mass. Three patients did not finish the study. Blood pressure was reduced to below 160/90 mmHg in 22 of the remaining 27 patients. At the end of follow-up, the left ventricular mass (echocardiography) was reduced from 308.1±89 g to 262.3±51 g (p<0.001) and left ventricular mass index from 165±47.4 g/m² to 141.03±26.7 g/m² (p<0.001). The ratio of E wave/A wave velocity of transmitral blood flow measured by Doppler increased from 0.86±0.44 to 1.07±0.45 (p=0.005). Peak filling rate, derived from nuclear ventriculography, changed from 2.05±0.4 EDV/sec before the treatment to 2.23±0.47 EDV/sec after it (p=0.0046). Serum lipids as well as other biochemical tests were unchanged. Left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction did not change, and treadmill exercise time increased from 343±125 seconds to 420±135 seconds (p=0.002). Maximal systolic blood pressure during exercise decreased from 197.2±19.7 mmHg to 182.9±25.8 mmHg (p=0.011). There were few side effects. We conclude that bisoprolol reduces left ventricular mass, preserves systolic function, and improves diastolic function of the left ventricle in hypertensive subjects with left ventricular hypertrophy.