MARK C. HOUSTON, M.D.
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To the editor: Several comments in the recent review of clonidine by Lowenstein (1) need clarification, as they are somewhat misleading. The author states that the predominant hemodynamic effect of clonidine in hypertensive patients is a reduction in cardiac output. The mechanism of blood pressure reduction with chronic administration of clonidine is controversial, with some previous studies showing a reduction in total peripheral resistance of 11% with no change in cardiac output or a return to normal within 4 to 6 weeks after initiation of therapy (2). Moreover, Onesti and colleagues (3) have demonstrated that the acute administration of clonidine
HOUSTON MC. Clonidine. Ann Intern Med. ;92:718. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-92-5-718_1
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© 2019
Published: Ann Intern Med. 1980;92(5):718.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-92-5-718_1