Antihypertensive Effect of Long Term Ketanserin in Elderly Essential Hypertensive Patients Assessment of Left Ventricular Function at Rest and During Exercise

It has been postulated that serotonin may play a more important role in hypertension in the elderly than in younger patients (Hansson & Hedner 1986). Ketanserin is predominantly an S2-serotonergic antagonist that inhibits serotonin-induced vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation in patients with arterial hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases such as peripheral arterial obstructive pathology (De Cree et al. 1985a). Furthermore, ketanserin seems to be more effective in elderly hypertensive patients than in younger patients. This age-related antihypertensive effect could be compatible with some serotonergic component which is more manifest in older patients (De Cree et al. 1985b). The earliest apparent haemodynamic abnormality in hypertension, aside from increased total peripheral resistance, is related to a decreased left ventricular diastolic function (Inouye et al. 1984). Ketanserin does not appear to alter this important determinant of cardiac function at rest when evaluated in a 2-month treatment period (Sanchez et al. 1986a). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ketanserin in elderly hypertensives during I year's treatment, with special emphasis on left ventricular function. 1. Methods