Effects of Metoprolol on Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Cardiac Function in Patients with Hypertension

Fifty-four patients with hypertension （male 36,female 18, mean age 54. 6 ±10. 8 years ） were treated with metoprolol 50 100 mg po, 2 3/d,for 12 16 weeks,with the dosage being decreased when the blood pressure was brought under control. The results showed that total effective rate was 86%;HR,SBP,DBP,MAP and TPR significantly decreased （P＜0. 01 ）. Cardiac functions were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography. After treatment, LAD, LVD, LVMI significantly decreased （P ＜ 0. 05 or 0. 01 ） ; left ventricular systolic function parameters （SV,EF and CO） were not significantly changed （P＞ 0. 05） ; and left ventricular diastolic function parameters （peak velocity A, peak velocity E, peak velocity A/E ratio, PFR and NPFR ） were improved （P＜ 0.01 ）. It is concluded that oral administration of β1-blocker metoprolol could be a useful medicine in the treatment of cardiac diastolic dysfunction in patients with hypertension.