The cardiac and vascular effects of lacidipine.

The vasoprotective activity of lacidipine has been demonstrated both in animals and humans. Results from several studies indicate that vital organ perfusion is maintained, or even increased, during lacidipine administration. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) represents an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. Lacidipine has been shown to reduce LVH significantly within 3 months of initiation of treatment. In addition, systolic function, as evaluated by ejection fraction and fractional shortening of the left ventricle, is unchanged after 6 months of treatment with lacidipine. Diastolic function may also be improved by this treatment. In large arteries, lacidipine can reverse the abnormal arterial compliance observed in patients with essential hypertension. Other studies, in spontaneously hypertensive rats, have shown that lacidipine can significantly reduce the elevated media/lumen ratio of small resistance arteries. In conclusion, lacidipine possesses vascular selectivity and its effect in essential hypertension is characterized by vasodilation and by the maintenance, or even improvement, in vital organ perfusion.