Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of levoamlodipine maleate and amlodipine besylate on hypertensive patients with controlled baseline blood pressure. Methods A total of 3302 essential hypertensive patients were included for subgroup analysis. All patients were treated with levoamlodipine maleate or amlodipine besylate and baseline blood pressure were controlled. The patients were grouped according to their use of antihypertensive drugs. 708 patients taking amlodipine besylate were included in the amlodipine besylate group, and 555 patients taking levoamlodipine maleate were included in the levoamlodipine maleate group. The average blood pressure level, blood pressure control status, major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups of patients during the 24-month follow-up. Results Within 24 months, the average blood pressure of patients in the levamlodipine maleate group was lower than that in the amlodipine besylate group at most follow-up points (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the blood pressure compliance rate between the two groups at 12 months (P=0.717). The blood pressure compliance rate in the levamlodipine maleate group was higher than amlodipine besylate group at 24 months (P=0.023). Further analysis showed that the proportions of patients who maintained monotherapy in the levamlodipine maleate group and amlodipine besylate group at 12 months were 92.42 % and 90.00 % at 12 months and that at 24 months were 92.72 % and 90.66 %, respectively, with no significant difference. The average blood pressure in the levamlodipine maleate group was lower than that in the amlodipine besylate group, however, there was no significant difference in the blood pressure compliance rate between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of MACCE (P=0.225) and the incidence of total adverse reactions (P=0.181) between the two groups. However, compared with the amlodipine besylate group, the incidence of lower limb edema in the levamlodipine maleate group was lower (P=0.021). Conclusion Long-term use of levamidopine maleate in hypertensive patients with controlled baseline blood pressure can increase the rate of blood pressure compliance, with a lower incidence of lower limb edema and higher clinical safety.
