Moxonidine and Ramipril in Patients with Hypertension and Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Objectives: To investigate the tolerability and efficacy of moxonidine in the treatment of arterial hypertension in patients with obstructive pulmonary disease. The ACE inhibitor ramipril was used as a reference agent. Patients and Methods: A group of 104 adult patients with arterial hypertension and respiratory disorders took part in a double-blind, randomised, parallel-group, single-centre study. During the eight-week treatment phase, patients received either moxonidine (0.2 or 0.4 mg/day) or the ACE inhibitor ramipril (2.5 or 5 mg/day). Results: Small, nonsignificant changes in arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO) were observed during the treatment period with both moxonidine and ramipril. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV) remained constant during treatment with moxonidine. A slight decrease in FEV with ramipril was not statistically significant (p > 0.1). The 24-hour blood pressure measurements showed that systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced with moxonidine (p = 0.018 and p = 0.009, respectively) and with ramipril (p < 0.001 for both measurements). Conclusions: Moxonidine and ramipril exhibited comparable antihypertensive efficacy. Lung function was unchanged during treatment with moxonidine, suggesting that this new antihypertensive agent may be an appropriate choice of medication for patients with essential hypertension and concomitant obstructive pulmonary disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]