Background The results of clinical studies comparing antihypertensive efficacy of newer and older beta blockers and their effect on echocardiographic indices are inconclusive. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of nebivolol on blood pressure reduction and on selected echocardiographic indices in patients with essential hypertension. The effect of treatment on exercise tolerance was also investigated.
Material and methods The study included 76 male patients with mild to moderate (ESH/ESC: grade 1 and 2) essential hypertension (mean age: 43.6 ± 8.2 years). In all subjects at baseline and after 6 weeks of nebivolol treatment (5 mg once daily) or atenolol (50 mg once daily) (39 and 37 pts respectively) ABPM, Echo, ECG Holter and exercise test were performed.
Results In the nebivolol group SBP and DBP reduction was noticed in 87% and 69% of patients with essential hypertension. Based on ABPM mean SBP and DBP during the whole day, daytime and nighttime decreased: 13 ± 8/8 ± 8 mm Hg, 14 ± 9/10 ± 7 mm Hg and 9 ± 8/6 ± 8 mm Hg respectively (p < 0.01 for all differences).
In the nebivolol group E wave was increased between two examinations from 0.75 ± 0.15 m/s to 0.81 ± 0.2 m/s (p = 0.05), there were no significant changes in A wave 0.66 ± 0.08 m/s vs. 0.64 ± 0.1 m/s (NS).
Ratio E/A was increased during the time of observation from 1.14 ± 0.25 to 1.3 ± 0.23 (p < 0.001).
During the exercise test in the nebivolol group maximal SBP and DBP decreased by 18 ± 26 mm Hg (p < 0.001) and 3 ± 14 mm Hg (NS) respectively after 6 weeks of treatment.
Conclusions Our results indicate high antihypertensive efficacy of nebivolol in patients with essential hypertension. We also observed an improvement of selected echocardiographic indices. Nebivolol was not impairing the exercise tolerance in patients with essential hypertension.