Comparison of the effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist monotherapy and combination therapy with a diuretic on cardiac function in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), has been reported to promote sodium excretion and show an enhanced antihypertensive effect when used in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). We investigated the effects of losartan monotherapy and combination therapy together with HCTZ on cardiac function in hypertensive rats using echocardiography.