[Evaluation of the dose-effect relationship of perindopril in the treatment of arterial hypertension]. / Evaluation de la relation dose-effet du perindopril dans le traitement de l'hypertension artérielle.

To evaluate the dose-effect relationship of antihypertensive drugs is essential to a rational determination of their effective dosage. Two double-blind and strictly controlled trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of perindopril 4 mg orally in the treatment of mild to moderate arterial hypertension (100 less than DAP less than 120 mmHg). The drug remained effective 24 hours after the last dose. The 2 mg dose proved insufficient to obtain a significant reduction of blood pressure. In case where the 4 mg dose was not sufficiently active, a better antihypertensive effect could be achieved with an 8 mg dose without major untoward reactions. The antihypertensive activity of perindopril was parallel to the percentage of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition induced by the compound. This study also illustrates clearly the value of semi-automatic blood pressure recording with the Dinamap system in the determination of dose-effect relationship, compared with the conventional sphygmomanometric method.