Comparison of the effects of nebivolol and valsartan on BP reduction and sleep apnoea activity in patients with essential hypertension and OSA

AbstractObjectives:To investigate the effect of nebivolol, a third generation β-blocker, on blood pressure (BP) reduction and polysomnographic parameters in hypertensive patients with mild-to-moderate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).Methods:In this double-blind, parallel group study, patients were randomized to nebivolol 5 mg or valsartan 80 mg once daily following a 14-day, placebo run-in period during which any antihypertensive medication were discontinued. BP and heart rate measurements and overnight polysomnography were performed at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. Safety and tolerability were assessed.Results:Thirty-one patients were randomized to nebivolol (n = 16) or valsartan (n = 15). After six weeks both systolic and diastolic BP were effectively reduced by both treatments. Reductions in BP were not statistically significant different between agents, but mean heart rate was significantly decreased with nebivolol (compared with valsartan (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant ...