Effect of Losartan and Amlodipine on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Hypertension (J-ELAN) Rationale and Design

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major underlying disease that may cause left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, even without LV systolic dysfunction, and antihypertensive drugs could affect LV diastolic function. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Effect of Losartan and Amlodipine on Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Hypertension (J-ELAN) study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial designed to assess the effects of losartan and amlodipine on LV diastolic function in hypertensive patients with LV diastolic dysfunction in the absence of systolic dysfunction. A total of 300 patients (150 patients in each group) will be enrolled. In addition to Doppler echocardiographic indices of LV diastolic function, changes in LV structure and atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries will be serially assessed. The maximum follow-up period is 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide the characteristic differences in the effects of amlodipine and losartan on LV diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients.