Intravenous verapamil infusion reduced the arterial pressure (AP) in 13 out of 71 (76.5%) patients with severe arterial hypertension (AH) refractory to a two-week, three-step oral antihypertensive medication. Investigations including echo- and radio-cardiography were performed: in the control period before starting the three-step treatment; after two weeks before intravenous verapamil infusions; 10 days after stopping the verapamil administration, and before leaving the hospital during continued 3-4 weeks three-step therapy. The AP reduction was caused by decreased total peripheral resistance. Verapamil administration improved also intracardiac haemodynamics and left ventricular contraction. The AP was effectively controlled even after stopping the verapamil administration and continuing the three-step oral antihypertensive treatment. No manifest changes in the left ventricular function were registered.

Department of Arterial Hypertension L A Oganesian Institute of Cardiology Yerevan USSR