Antihypertensive therapy in patients with concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective . Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of antihypertensive therapy with a fixed dose combination of amlodipine/indapamide in patients with hypertension (HTN) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design and methods. We conducted a non-randomized, open, single-center study, which included 74 comorbid patients (62 men, 12 women) with stage I–II HTN, grade 1–2 HTN, moderate cardiovascular risk and COPD (GOLD I–III). We also assessed respiratory function, the parameters of the microcirculatory bed, vascular stiffness, level of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). For HTN, after the examination all patients were prescribed a fixed combination of amlodipine and indapamide (Arifam, Les Laboratoires Servier, France). The observation period was 6 months. Results . The study was completed by 58 patients who achieved blood pressure (BP values of 132,7 + 4,8 mm Hg), 54% patients took the initial dose of amlodipine/indapamide was 5/1,5 mg and in 46% patients, the dose of the drug was increased to 10/1,5 mg. After 6 months of treatment, a statistically significant increase in forced expiratory volume in 1 st second (FEV1) was detected (p < 0,05), decrease in the average linear velocity along the maximum velocity curve (p < 0,05), Purcelo peripheral resistance index (p < 0,05), pulse wave propagation velocity in the elastic arteries, which was increased at the beginning of the study (p < 0,05), TNF-α (p < 0,05). Conclusions . The administration of a fixed combination of amlodipine/indapamide in patients with COPD and HTN leads to the achievement of target BP levels, reduction of vascular stiffness, reduction in TNF-α level, improvement of microcirculatory blood flow. The combination is safe and well-tolerated.