Effects of valsartan treatment on indicators of cardiovascular damage in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients: A prospective, twelve-month, open-label, pilot study

Background: Myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction can be detected in the early phases of organ damage associated with hypertension. Valsartan, an angiotensin-II receptor blocker, is efficacious in lowering blood pressure (BP) and reducing left ventricular mass in patients with hypertension. Levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and procollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP) are correlated with organ damage in patients with overt congestive heart failure; however, few data are available in patients with hypertension.