Comparison of effects of nebivolol, carvedilol and irbesartan on left ventricular hypertrophy associated with hypertension

H. Degirmenci, M. Açikel, E.M. Bakirci, H. Duman, S. Demirelli, H. Tas, Z. Simsek, S. Karakelleoglu, E. Aksakal, M.K. Erol

Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. husnudr1982@gmail.com

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• Cardiology

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate if the new generation beta-blockers are as effective as irbesartan, which is an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 85 patients (average age: 56.6±9.6 year) with stage 1 and 2 hypertension, who previously didn’t receive an antihypertensive treatment, but diagnosed with LVH echocardiographically. The patients were divided into three different treatment groups: irbesartan (n=28), nebivolol (n=25) and carvedilol (n=32). The patients were reassessed clinically and echocardiographically at 3, 6 and 12 months after the treatments.

RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in baseline left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and other parameters among the three treatment groups (p > 0.05). Although there was no significant decrease in LVMI in irbesartan and carvedilol groups at 3 months after the treatment (p > 0.05), the values measured at 6 and 12 months (p < 0.0001) were significant. The decrease in LVMI in the nebivolol group was significant at 3, 6 and 12 months (p < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in measurements at 12 months (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Both of the new generation beta-blockers were more effective than irbesartan in the regression of LVH. A significant regression in LVH was observed 3 months after nebivolol treatment and 6 months after irbesartan and carvedilol treatments.

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