Abstract: Aim To study clinical efficacy of valsartan, in comparison with amlodipine, in hypertentive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. Methods 65 hypertentive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy is divided into two groups, with 33 cases in valsartan group and 32 cases in amlodipine group Valsartan 80 ~ 160mg and amlodipine 5 ~ 10 mg were taken by the patients in the two groups for 6 months respectively. 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24 h ABPM) and color echocardiography were performed in the two groups before and after treatment. Results The parameters of 24 h ABPM (24 h SBP、 24 hDBP、dSBP、dDBP、nSBP、nDBP) and color echocardiography (IVST、PWT、LVMI) after treatment in the two groups were significant decreased compared with those before treatment respectively (P <0.01). However, in the parameters after treatment, there was not significant difference between the two groups (P >0.05). Conclusion Valsartan can lower significantly the blood pressure level and make left ventricular hypertrophy remarkably dispelled in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy and has the effect similar to that of amlodipine.

Key words: essential hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, valsartan, amlodipine, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiography