EFFECTS OF DELAPRIL HYDROCHLORIDE ON ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION ASSESSED BY 24-HOUR BLOOD-PRESSURE MONITORING

A new angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (delapril) was administered to 15 patients (seven men, eight women, mean age [SD] 57[10.6] years) with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension, to evaluate: a) its efficacy on casual and 24-hour blood pressure; and b) the influence on the rhythm pattern of blood pressure variations. Delapril significantly reduced the casual blood pressure without a significant change in pulse rate, and exerted an antihypertensive effect throughout 24 hours with no excessive blood pressure fall at night Delapril significantly reduced the level of the periodic regression curve of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but did not influence the rhythm pattern of the curve. It had no effect on the level and pattern of the curve for pulse rate. The hyperbaric index of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures was significantly reduced. Delapril was considered to be a useful drug for the treatment of hypertension in view of 24-hour blood pressure variations.