Telmisartan decreases atrial electromechanical delay in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension

Background: Atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) parameters predict the development of atrial fibrillation. We investigated the effect of telmisartan treatment on atrial EMD parameters in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension. Methods: Thirty-six patients with essential hypertension were treated with telmisartan (80 mg/day) for 6 months. Baseline electrocardiographic P-wave measurements and echocardiographic atrial EMD parameters were compared with the 6-month follow-up. Results: Pmax and Pd were significantly decreased (108.4 ± 6.1 vs 93.9 ± 6.2 milliseconds, 33.4 ± 8.6 vs 19.5 ± 7.0 milliseconds, respectively, P =.0001 for each) after 6-month telmisartan therapy. The atrial EMD parameters were decreased from baseline (mitral EMD, 68.9 ± 4.9 vs 53.8 ± 4.9 milliseconds; septum EMD, 51.6 ± 7.1 vs 42.6 ± 7. milliseconds1; tricuspid EMD, 48 ± 6.9 vs 39 ± 6.9 milliseconds; interatrial EMD, 20.9 ± 5.5 vs 14.8 ± 5.7 milliseconds; P =.0001 for each parameter). The reduction of interatrial EMD was correlated with the reduction in systolic BP nighttime and the increase in mitral E wave velocity/mitral A wave velocity ratio. Conclusion: Telmisartan decreased the atrial EMD parameters in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension.