[Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of monotherapy for significant essential hypertension in adolescents with use of enalapril].

Clinical evaluation of hypotensive effectiveness and the cardiovascular and side effects of enalapril monotherapy of significant essential hypertension (SEH) in adolescents was performed. The studied group included 30 pts., aged from 12 to 18 years. The mean enalapril dose was 0.22 mg/kg/24 hours. Significant decrease of systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure was observed. ECHO examination performed after 6 months of therapy demonstrated significant decrease of intraventricular septum thickness, cardiac index and percentage of LV fractional shortening. Only a few minor side effects involving the GI tract were observed during therapy. We conclude that enalapril monotherapy is effective in adolescents with SEH and exerts a beneficial influence on sodium and purine balance and no adverse effect on the lipid profile. It can therefore be safely used in hypertensive patients with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia. It causes regression of LV hypertrophy and improves exercise capacity.