Left ventricular systolic function after marked reduction of ventricular hypertrophy induced by 5 years' enalapril treatment

Objectives To determine the effects of long-term treatment of essential hypertension with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor as regards arterial pressure at rest and during exercise, left ventricular mass and functional sequelae. Patients and Methods Twenty-six patients with previously untreated essential hypertension took enalapril 20 mg twice daily for 5 years. Cardiovascular parameters were determined by two-dimensionally guided M-mode echocardiography in a pre-treatment placebo phase, 8 weeks and 1, 3 and 5 years after the start of therapy, and 8 weeks after drugs were discontinued. Results Therapy reduced resting arterial pressure from 156/105 to 128/84 mmHg (P