Affiliations: 1st Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Medical School of Pecs, Hungary | 1st Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University Medical School of Pecs, Hungary
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Kalman Toth, M.D., Ph.D., 1st Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University Medical School of Pecs, 7643 Pecs, Ifjusag u. 13, Hungary. Tel.: +36 72 324 122/1781; Fax: +36 72 325 723; E‐mail: TothK@clinics.pote.hu.
Abstract: It is known from previous studies that hemorheological parameters are altered in patients with essential hypertension. The hemorheological and hemodynamical effects of doxazosin, a selective alpha‐1‐adrenoreceptor blocker agent, was examined in twenty patients (mean age: 54 \pm 10 years) with essential hypertension. Hemorheologic (hematocrit, fibrinogen, plasma and whole blood viscosity) and hemodynamic (cardiac output and index, total peripheral resistance) parameters and plasma lipids were determined. The measurements were carried out before the beginning of the treatment, after 1 week and after 12 weeks treatment periods. Besides significant reduction of blood pressure and total peripheral resistance (p<0.001), a decrease in cholesterol (p <0.001) and triglyceride (p<0.01) levels and a beneficial effect on hemorheological parameters was detected. Fibrinogen and plasma viscosity decreased significantly (p <0.01). Hematocrit value was also lower after one week (p<0.001), then an increase could be seen. Whole blood viscosity showed similar changes as hematocrit, but the degree of its final increase was slighter, which was supported by the significantly lower value of corrected blood viscosity (p <0.05).
