Open AccessThe comparative effects of telmisartan and ramipril on P‐wave dispersion in hypertensive patients: A randomized clinical study
Author(s) -
Celik Turgay,
Iyisoy Atila,
Kursaklioglu Hurkan,
Yilmaz M. Ilker,
Kose Sedat,
Kilic Selim,
Amasyali Basri,
Demirkol Sait,
Isik Ersoy
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960280609
Subject(s) - ramipril , medicine , telmisartan , randomized controlled trial , dispersion (optics) , hypertensive crisis , blood pressure , physics , optics
Background : Prolongation of P‐wave times and increase of P‐wave dispersion (PWD) were shown to be independent predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF). Angiotensin II receptor blockers (AARBs) and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have beneficial effects on atrial conduction times. However, there are not enough data about the comparative effects of those drugs onPWD. Hypothesis : We aimed to compare the effects of telmisartan and ramipril on PWD after 6‐month treatment in hypertensive patients. Methods : In all, 100 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 and Group 2 each consisted of 50 patients, taking daily doses of 80 mg telmisartan and 10 mg ramipril, respectively. Twelve‐lead surface electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded from all patients before and after 6‐month drug therapy. The P‐wave duration (P dur ) measurements were calculated from the 12‐lead surface ECG. Results : When pretreatment PWD and P maximum values were compared with post‐treatment values, a statistically significant decrease was found in both groups after 6 months (Group 1 and 2; p < 0.001 for PWD and P maximum ). P‐wave dispersion and P maximum values after treatment in Group 1 were statistically significantly lower than those in Group 2 after the 6‐month treatment period (p = 0.01 for PWD; p = 0.008 for P maximum ). Conclusions : Telmisartan has a much greater lowering effect on PWD and P maximum values than ramipril. This finding may be important in the prevention of AF in hypertensive patients.