Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Pierquin.
In ageing female subjects, the urinary noradrenaline excretion (UNA) is reduced with respect to the controls in young adults. On the other hand the ratio UNA/clearance of endogenous creatinine increases with ageing. This provides a confirmation of the fact that ageing is associated with an increase in plasma noradrenaline. The ratio UA/clearance of creatinine remains unaltered. So far the physiological meaning of these results remains unclear.
A study protocol for a double-blind randomised control trial of hypotensive treatment in elderly hypertensive patients has been tested in a number of pilot centres throughout Europe. It was shown that this study is possible from the logistic point of view. In these elderly patients, hydrochlorothiazide + triamterene treatment with or without methyldopa, maintained a significant hypotensive effect in the absence of major electrolyte disturbances. The initiation of hypotensive therapy did not provoke an excess of cardiovascular complications. The influence of hypotensive therapy on the general well-being and on the morbidity and the mortality of elderly patients with high blood pressure, is thereby being assessed. The study will continue for 5 years and other centres are invited to join.