Summary

In a first randomized study of its kind, diastolic function, as assessed by noninvasive Doppler technology, was shown to be improved by lowering blood-pressure. The Valsartan in Diastolic Dysfunction [VALIDD] trial evaluated 482 patients from 41 North American sites with stage 1 or 2 essential hypertension using the relatively new method of Doppler tissue imaging to determine myocardial relaxation velocities.