24-h ambulatory non-invasive blood pressure monitoring in the assessment of the antihypertensive action of celiprolol

The well-known limitations of traditional sphygmomanometer blood pressure measurements have led to the development of a number of invasive and non-invasive 24-h blood pressure monitoring techniques which provide information on blood pressure in daily life. A non-invasive portable blood pressure monitor (IRC Spacelab S5300 monitor) was used to assess the antihypertensive action of celiprolol, 400 mg once daily, in a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study. After a washout period of 7 days, 15 patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension were subjected to three 24-h blood pressure recordings: at the end of washout, and after 1 month of placebo and celiprolol treatment. In the 10 responsive patients, celiprolol reduced 24-h systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and heart rate by 6.8%, 8.1% and 2.7%, respectively, when compared with placebo. The reduction in blood pressure was also evident during the night and the antihypertensive action of celiprolol was maintained 24-h after administration. Celiprolol had no effect on 24-h blood pressure or heart rate variability and, therefore, did not produce any alteration in cardiovascular homeostasis. These results demonstrate that celiprolol is an effective once daily treatment for hypertension.