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Describes the effects of losartan and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril on blood pressure, echocardiographically calculated left ventricular mass, renal function and quality of life in hypertensive patients. Evaluation of renal function by glomerular filtration rate; Reduction of cardiac hypertrophy response caused by elevated arterial pressure and intravascular volume overload.

Left ventricular mass sometimes decreases during the treatment of hypertension. In a two-year open study, we investigated the ability of extended release (ER) felodipine (5 or 10 mg), plus chlorthalidone (25 mg), given once daily, to reduce left ventricular mass in 84 elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension. Drug dosage was determined in an initial stepped-care titration phase lasting six weeks. Mean systolic blood pressure decreased after two years of treatment with 5 or 10 mg of felodipine (p < 0.001) and the left ventricular mass index decreased too (p < 0.0001). One or two weeks after withdrawal of therapies, blood pressure returned to pretreatment values. We concluded that left ventricular mass can be reduced in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension and ventricular hypertrophy who receive felodipine 5–10 mg once daily. This treatment was generally well tolerated.Copyright © 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which investigated the theoretical behavior of the microstrip direct current (dc) blocks on magnetized ferrite substrates. How to obtain the characteristics of the dc blocks structures; Theory of the microstrip dc block; Analysis of microstrip dc blocks on magnetized ferrite substrates.

Objectives: To estimate familial aggregation and the heritability of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) in families assisted by the Family Doctor Program in a Brazilian city, and to evaluate associations between some environmental factors and familial aggregation of these lipids. Study design: Cross-sectional familial study. Methods: The association of lipids with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle factors and comorbidities (e.g. physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, body mass index) was estimated using linear models and generalized estimating equations. Correlation of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C between pairs of relatives was estimated with the familial correlation procedure, and heritability was estimated with the ASSOC procedure. Results: All associations were statistically significant. There was familial aggregation of TC (parent/offspring, r 0.33; sibling/sibling, r = 0.37), LDL-C (parent/offspring, r = 0.29; sibling/ sibling, r = 0.37) and HDL-C (parent/offspring, r = 0.25; sibling/sibling, r = 0.48), but less than 3%, 6% and 14%, respectively, which was explained by lifestyle factors. Correlation between pairs with genetic sharing (parent/offspring and sibling/sibling) was higher than that observed between father and mother. Heritability estimates ranged between 0.32 (HDL-C) and 0.50 (TC). Similar results were found for the two approaches used to estimate the contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the correlation of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C between the family pairs. Conclusion: The results showed that there is familial aggregation of TC, LDL-C and HHDL-C, and point to the predominance of genetic factors because little influence of environmental variables was found [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]