EFFECT OF NISOLDIPINE ON AMBULATORY BLOOD-PRESSURE UNDER 24-HOUR NONINVASIVE MONITORING

The antihypertensive effect of nisoldipine on ambulatory blood pressure was investigated using continuous noninvasive monitoring in 12 patients with moderate essential hypertension. Treatment with nisoldipine 5 mg twice a day for 2 weeks resulted in a decrease in the average of each patient's mean arterial pressure for the whole day from 110.3+/-6.8 to 103.2+/-8.8 mm Hg (P = 0.0007). This decrease in mean arterial pressure was due to a decrease in both systolic and diastolic pressures. The reduction in blood pressure was most marked at the time of the originally high blood pressure readings. Comparisons of consecutive means of 2-hourly mean arterial pressure readings showed a statistically significant effect from 6:00 AM to midnight. Blood pressures between midnight and 6:00 AM were similarly low, before and during nisoldipine therapy. There was no change in heart rate. Untoward symptoms were reported with similar frequency, and of similar severity, both before and during therapy. Nisoldipine 5 mg twice a day is an effective antihypertensive agent, reducing moderately elevated blood pressure in ambulatory, working patients with essential hypertension. At the dosage used, it had no demonstrable effect on heart rate and minimal, if any, side effects.