ABSTRACT
Thirty males with prior myocardial infarction concurrent with arterial hypertension (AH) were examined to study the antihypertensive and antiischemic effects of the AT1-receptor blocker irbesartran. Group 1 comprised 12 (40%) patients with mild AH; Group 2 included 18 (60%) with moderate AH. In Group 2, the standard therapy with irbesartan in a single dose of 150 mg in the morning was supplemented by the beta1-adrenoblocker atenolol in the average daily dose of 31.25 mg. In Group 1 patients there were decreases in systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 28% and diastolic blood pressure (DBA) by 19% while in Group 2 receiving combined therapy with atenolol, SBP lowered on the average of 38.3 mm Hg of the baseline values and DBA became normal in 66.7% of the patients (p < 0.00). Thus, irbesartan provides good antihypertensive and antiischemic effects in patients with grade 1 AH; the combined therapy enhances the efficiency of treatment by 92% in patients with moderate AH.