Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy by a candesartan-based regimen in clinical practice. The VIPE study.

The VIPE study was a prospective, non-comparative, open-label clinical evaluation of 97 hypertensive patients (69.1% female; 68.9 +/- 9.5 years; mean blood pressure (BP) 160 +/- 12/90 +/- 9 mmHg) with echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Patients were treated for six months with a candesartan-based regimen (8 mg/16 mg + HCTZ 12.5 mg + additional drugs to lower BP < 140/90 mmHg). After six months, systolic/diastolic BP was decreased by 19.3 +/- 8/9.4 +/- 5 mmHg (p<0.001 for both), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) decreased 17.01 g/m2 (95%CI: -13.2 to -20.99; p<0.001). During treatment with the candesartan-based regimen all echocardiographic parameters related to LVMI were significantly reduced and 28% achieved a target LVMI [< 134 g/m(2) (men) and < 110 g/m(2) (women)]. No significant changes were observed in ejection fraction, shortening fraction or LV diastolic function. Univariate analysis showed that both age (p=0.03) and diabetes (p=0.029) were predictive of LVH regression. Thus, a candesartan-based regimen for six months significantly reduced echocardiographic LVH in hypertensive patients in general practice. The drug was very well tolerated and no serious adverse events were reported.