1. We studied the effect on plasma lipids of sotalol given orally over a 12 month period to patients with essential hypertension.
2. Plasma free fatty acid concentration was lower than initially at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The difference was significant (P < 0·01) at 1 and 3 months.
3. Plasma cholesterol (VLDL + LDL-cholesterol) increased during treatment. Plasma total cholesterol increased from 5·49 ± sd 0·94 mmol/l at the beginning to 6·37 ± 1·10 mmol/l at 12 months (P < 0·01).
4. HDL-cholesterol concentration and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol decreased significantly. The ratios were 0·28 and 0·18 at the beginning and at 12 months respectively (P < 0·001).
5. Plasma triglycerides increased simultaneously from 1·14 ± 0·31 to 1·89 ± 0·99 mmol/l (P < 0·01).
