Telmisartan decreases atrial electromechanical delay in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension

BackgroundAtrial electromechanical delay (EMD) parameters predict the development of atrial fibrillation. We investigated the effect of telmisartan treatment on atrial EMD parameters in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.MethodsThirty-six patients with essential hypertension were treated with telmisartan (80 mg/day) for 6 months. Baseline electrocardiographic P-wave measurements and echocardiographic atrial EMD parameters were compared with the 6-month follow-up.ResultsPmax and Pd were significantly decreased (108.4 ± 6.1 vs 93.9 ± 6.2 milliseconds, 33.4 ± 8.6 vs 19.5 ± 7.0 milliseconds, respectively, P = .0001 for each) after 6-month telmisartan therapy. The atrial EMD parameters were decreased from baseline (mitral EMD, 68.9 ± 4.9 vs 53.8 ± 4.9 milliseconds; septum EMD, 51.6 ± 7.1 vs 42.6 ± 7. milliseconds1; tricuspid EMD, 48 ± 6.9 vs 39 ± 6.9 milliseconds; interatrial EMD, 20.9 ± 5.5 vs 14.8 ± 5.7 milliseconds; P = .0001 for each parameter). The reduction of interatrial EMD was correlated with the reduction in systolic BP nighttime and the increase in mitral E wave velocity/mitral A wave velocity ratio.ConclusionTelmisartan decreased the atrial EMD parameters in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.