Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Prolongation of P-wave times and increase of P-wave dispersion (PWD) were shown to be independent predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF). Angiotensin II receptor blockers (AARBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have beneficial effects on atrial conduction times. However, there are not enough data about the comparative effects of those drugs on PWD.

HYPOTHESIS:

We aimed to compare the effects of telmisartan and ramipril on PWD after 6-month treatment in hypertensive patients.

METHODS:

In all, 100 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 and Group 2 each consisted of 50 patients, taking daily doses of 80 mg telmisartan and 10 mg ramipril, respectively. Twelve-lead surface electrocardiograms (ECG) were recorded from all patients before and after 6-month drug therapy. The P-wave duration (Pdur) measurements were calculated from the 12-lead surface ECG.

RESULTS:

When pretreatment PWD and Pmaximum values were compared with post-treatment values, a statistically significant decrease was found in both groups after 6 months (Group 1 and 2; p < 0.001 for PWD and Pmaximum). P-wave dispersion and Pmaximum values after treatment in Group 1 were statistically significantly lower than those in Group 2 after the 6-month treatment period (p = 0.01 for PWD; p = 0.008 for Pmaximum).

CONCLUSIONS:

Telmisartan has a much greater lowering effect on PWD and Pmaximum values than ramipril. This finding may be important in the prevention of AF in hypertensive patients.