Calcium antagonism in essential hypertension: effect on renal haemodynamics and microalbuminuria

Abstract

Sixteen middle-aged men with primary hypertension were treated with the calcium antagonist isradipine over a 9-week period in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over manner. At the end of the intervention period the urinary albumin excretion rate, systemic and renal haemodynamics, haemorheological properties of blood and plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide, noradrenaline and peripheral renin activity were determined. Treatment with isradipine resulted in a substantial reduction in blood pressure due to a reduction in peripheral resistance. The mean albumin excretion rate was not influenced by the isradipine treatment. In a multivariate analysis, changes in the urinary albumin excretion rate were only related to changes in blood pressure.