The effects of nisoldipine on carotid artery stiffness and left ventricular functions.

Doppler echocardiographic determination, left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening (FS), cardiac output (CO), diastolic function parameter (E/A ratio) and carotid artery pulse wave velocity and stiffness were evaluated in 36 patients with essential hypertension before and after nisoldipine treatment. Blood pressure decreased significantly, and carotid artery width and fractional shortening increased significantly following nisoldipine administration (p < 0.0001). Carotid artery pulse wave peak velocity did not change following the treatment period (p > 0.05). In conclusion, short term nisoldipine administration improved blood pressure and LV systolic function, whereas LV diastolic function and carotid artery stiffness did not change. Nisoldipine did not alter serum biochemical parameters, including cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol (p > 0.05). Only one patient manifested symptoms of hypotension as an adverse effect of the drug.