Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the effects of felodipine on left ventricular and electrical remodeling by measuring left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and dispersion of corrected QT interval (QTcd). METHODS: 25 patients with class 1 or 2 primary systemic hypertension were treated with felodipine sustained-release tablets 5-10 mg per day for 3 months after 2 weeks introduction period. Twelve leads ECG and cardiac ultrasound examination were performed before and after treatment to obtain QTcd and LVMI. The control group included 25 normal persons matched in age and sex with study group. RESULTS: After treatment, the patients' systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced [(151±6/97±3) mm Hg vs (136±7/85±7) mm Hg,P<0.01] with the total effectiveness of 96.0%. Compared with control group, the QTcd and LVMI before treatment were significantly higher [QTcd(38±7) ms vs (58±18) ms, LVMI (89±14) g/m² vs (132±12) g/m², both P<0.05]. Compared with pretreatment, the QTcd and LVMI after treatment were significantly lowered [(44±16) ms, (109±13) g/m², P<0.05]. A significant correlation between the change of QTcd and LVMI was observed by linear correlation analysis (r=0.52, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with hypertension, even in class 1 or 2, may have significant left ventricular structural and electrical remodeling. The aims of anti-hypertension treatment are not only to control blood pressure, but also modify and reverse the remodeling of heart. Felodipine can effectively control the blood pressure, and reverse the heart remodeling by reducing the LVMI and QTcd.

Key words: Felodipine, Left ventricular mass index, Dispersion of corrected QT interval, Remodeling