Comparison of benazepril and amiodipine in secondary prevention of hypertensive stroke: prospective and randomized trial

AIM:To compare the efficacy of benazepril and amiodipine in the secondary prevention of hypertensive stroke. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-six patients with hypertensive stroke were included in the study. On the basis of routine treatment and life intervention, patients were randomized to receive either benazepril (n=178) or amiodipine (n=178). The rates of stroke recurrence, stroke mortality, myocardial infarction occurrence and death were recorded and compared. Treatment duration was 8-72 months with an average of 46 months. RESULTS: The rate of stroke recurrence after amiodipine treatment was 27.8% (47/178), much lower than 34.0% (53/178) after benazepril treatment (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in other cardiovascular events between groups. CONCLUSION: Amiodipine is significantly more effective than benazepril in the secondary prevention of hypertensive stroke.