A patient with hypertension is switched from verapamil to amlodipine. Which physiological change is most likely after the switch?
- A Decreased heart rate
- B Reduced myocardial contractility
- C Increased plasma renin activity ✓
- D Decreased atrioventricular nodal conduction
Correct answer: C. Increased plasma renin activity
Explanation
Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that causes arterial vasodilation. This drop in blood pressure triggers baroreceptor-mediated sympathetic activation, which increases heart rate, contractility, and renin release. Verapamil depresses the SA and AV nodes and does not cause significant reflex sympathetic activation.
Reference: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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