Conditions: Hypertension
Keywords: hypertension valsartan atenolol hydrochlorothiazide microcirculation arterial compliance pulse wave analysis
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: CROSSOVER
Enrollment: 30
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
This study evaluated the effect of valsartan on small vessel blood flow in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension in direct comparison to atenolol and hydrochlorothiazide.

Detailed description:

Arms:
arm 1: After a 2-week washout period, patients were treated with valsartan for 20 weeks followed by one week in which it was tapered off. Patients received valsartan 160 mg for 4 weeks, followed by valsartan 320 mg for 16 weeks. The valsartan dose was then tapered off to 80 mg for one week. Patients took valsartan film coated tablets orally once a day (od) in the morning.

After a second 2-week washout period, patients were treated with atenolol plus HCTZ for 20 weeks. Patients received atenolol 100 mg for 20 weeks. Patients took atenolol tablets orally once a day (od) in the morning. Patients received HCTZ 12.5 mg for 4 weeks starting at the beginning of the 5th week and then received 25 mg for 12 weeks. Patients took HCTZ tablets orally once a day (od) in the morning. arm 2: After a 2-week washout period, patients were treated with atenolol plus HCTZ for 20 weeks followed by one week in which atenolol was tapered off and HCTZ was discontinued. Patients received atenolol 100 mg for 20 weeks. Patients took atenolol tablets orally once a day (od) in the morning. Patients received HCTZ 12.5 mg for 4 weeks starting at the beginning of the 5th week and then received 25 mg for 12 weeks. Patients took HCTZ tablets orally once a day (od) in the morning.

After a second 2-week washout period, patients were treated with valsartan for 20 weeks. Patients received valsartan 160 mg for 4 weeks, followed by valsartan 320 mg for 16 weeks. Patients took valsartan film coated tablets orally once a day (od) in the morning.

Interventions: intervention 1: Atenolol intervention 2: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) intervention 3: Valsartan
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 100 mg tablets orally once a day (od) in the morning. intervention 2: 12.5 or 25 mg tablets orally once a day (od) in the morning. intervention 3: 80 mg, 160 mg, or 320 mg tablets orally once a day in the morning

Protocol document: