RESUMEN
Background & objectives: In clinical settings, peripheral blood pressure (PBP) is measured routinely. It is thought that central blood pressure (CBP) which reflects aortic BP, may be more predictive of outcomes in specific populations. Hence, this study was carried out to measure CBP in patients with hypertension and to see the effect of antihypertensive drugs on CBP. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 134 hypertensive patients and 134 normotensive healthy individuals as controls. Peripheral BPs and CBPs were measured of all patients and controls. The data were correlated and the effect of antihypertensive drugs on CBP was also evaluated. Results: Of the 134 hypertensive patients, 44 (32.84%) were newly diagnosed and the rest 90 (67.16%) had a history of hypertension and were on treatment. Of these 90 patients on treatment, 37 (41.11%) had uncontrolled peripheral BP and 53 (58.89%) had normal peripheral BP. Of the 134 hypertensive patients, 45 (33.58%) had controlled CBP. In 90 patients, who were on antihypertensive treatment, 45 (50%) had controlled CBP and 45 (50%) had uncontrolled CBP. Patients on calcium channel blockers (CCBs) had better control of CBP. Interpretation & conclusions: Hypertension is diagnosed mainly by measuring peripheral BP. CBP, which correlates better with the incidence of cardiovascular events, is not routinely measured. Patients with a history of hypertension and on treatment had normal office peripheral BP, but a few of them had high CBP and may require modification in treatment for control of CBP. Control of CBP was better in patients taking CCB.
RESUMEN
Hypotensive effects of rhynchophylline, isorhynchophylline, total alkaloid and non-alka-loid fraction isolated from Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. were compared. Change in peripheralblood pressure was recorded by inserting a catheter into the right common carotid artery of anaethetizedrat, while each of the four hypotensive constituents was injected individually into the femoral vein by a mi-croinfusion pump. Results of the findings showed that the four constituents in U. rhynchophylla displayeddifferent hypotensive potency in the order of isorhynchophylline [lowering of mean arterial pressure(MAP) by 42.0%] > rhynchophylline (lowering of MAP by 32.1%) > total alkaloid (lowering of MAPby 21.3%) > non-alkaloid fraction (lowering of MAP by 12.4%). It was concluded that isorhyn-chophylline and rhynchophylline were the main hypotensive constituents in U. rhynchophylla.