Atenelol and bendrofluazide in the treatment of medium and severe hypertension (preliminary report)

: In 15 patients with moderate to severe hypertension (WHO II--III) atenolol was evaluated against a thiazide diuretic (bendrofluazide) in a single blind crossover study. Systolic blood pressure values were lowered more efficiently by the diuretic, while diastolic pressure values were significantly better controlled by atenolol. Atenolol and bendrofluazide, by mere addition of the pressure effects of the single components, clearly afforded the best pressure control. Side effects of atenolol were frequent but mild, never causing major concern with the patients or a dropout from the study. Although the pressure response to atenolol was significantly better in the normal and high renin group of patients, there was no statistically significant correlation between the reduction in plasma renin and blood pressure induced by atenolol. In turn, the pressure response to the diuretic was significantly better in low renin than in normal and high renin patients.