Short-Term Effects of Cilazapril and Atenolol on P-Wave Dispersion in Patients With Hypertension

Abstract

Introduction: P-wave dispersion ( PWD) has been shown to be a non-invasive electrocardiographic predictor for development of atrial fibrillation ( AF). Thus, it may be possible to decrease AF risk through improvement in PWD. Our objective was to compare the effects of cilazapril and atenolol on P-wave duration and dispersion in patients with hypertension. Methods: A total of 38 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either cilazapril ( 5 mg) or atenolol ( 50 mg). Doppler echocardiographic examination, P-wave durations and PWD were measured before and 1 mo after treatment Results: Both drugs reduced blood pressure significantly ( P< 0.001). Post-treatment heart rate was significantly lower in the atenolol group ( P= 0.01). The change in maximum P-wave duration was not significant. However, both agents decreased PWD ( P= 0.001 and P< 0.001) and increased the minimum P-wave duration ( P= 0.004 and P= 0.02). Conclusion: Both cilazapril and atenolol treatments resulted in improvement in PWD.