A Multicenter Study Using Casual Readings, Self-Recordings, and Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring to Assess Isradipine Effects

The antihypertensive efficacy of isradipine has been widely studied. In most studies, however, blood pressure values were assessed by casual readings (CR) only. Furthermore, whether or not such blood pressure readings are sufficient proof of efficacy is still under discussion. Thus, a multicenter study was devised wherein blood pressures were recorded by CR, self-recordings, and noninvasive ambulatory monitoring (ABM). A total of 595 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension were treated for 6 months starting with 1.25 mg of isradipine twice daily. If, after 4 weeks of treatment, CR-determined diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was still >90 mm Hg, this dosage was doubled (n=327) and, at week 8, pindolol at 5 mg or spirapril at 3 mg daily was added if necessary for blood pressure control