Background. To improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with essential hypertension, it is necessary to search for combinations of antihypertensive drugs that can affect all parameters of blood pressure (BP) and restrict remodeling of target organs. Aim. To study the effect of free and fixed combination of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (perindopril arginine) and dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (amlodipine) on BP parameters, target organs damage criteria and quality of life of hypertensive patients. Materials and methods. The study included 92 patients suffering from arterial hypertension (AH) II and III stages. The 1st group included patients who received within 12 months treatment in a free combination of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (perindopril arginine) and amlodipine, in the 2nd group - in a fixed combination. The changes in BP indices were compared, including BP variability, criteria for target organs remodeling and quality of life assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results. The results of office and 24-hour BP monitoring at the study stages demonstrated better control of all BP indices in patients of the 2nd group, reduction of short-, medium- and long-term BP variability. Against the background of treatment with a fixed combination of amlodipine and perindopril arginine, there were significantly more significant changes in 3 parameters of target organs remodeling: glomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria, ankle-brachial index, and restoration of diastolic function of the left ventricle. At the same time, different positive dynamics of the quality of life indicators of patients of both study groups were noted. Conclusion. Fixed combined full-dose antihypertensive therapy with amlodipine and perindopril arginine allows achieving BP targets (including BP variability) in the majority of patients with AH II and III stages with high and very high risk of cardiovascular complications. High adherence to therapy allowed not only to maintain all parameters of blood pressure at the target level within a year, but also significantly improve the parameters of target organs remodeling and the quality of life of patients
The effects of replacing β-blockers with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor on the quality of life of hypertensive patients
