ObjectiveTo explore the effect of irbesartan on patients with senile hypertension complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. MethodsA total of 126 inpatients and outpatients over 60 years of age with senile hypertension complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation treated in our hospital from July 2010 to August 2012 were randomized into the study group (n=63, treated with irbesartan) and the control group (n=63, treated with amlodipine besylate). Diuretics was added according to blood pressure of the patients. All the patients were followed up for 12 months. Blood pressure control situation, atrial fibrillation recurrence frequency and duration time, alteration of left atrial inner diameter were compared between the two groups. ResultsThe level of blood pressure in both groups after treatment was significantly decreased compared with baseline, and there was no statistically significant difference in the decrease of blood pressure after treatment between the two groups (P>0.05). Atrial fibrillation recurrence frequency in the study group was (5.28±1.14) times, which was significantly lower than that in the control group[(9.24±1.34) times] (P<0.01). The paroxysmal atrial fibrillation duration time in the study group was (14.3±4.8) hours, which was significantly lower than that in the control group[(21.3±4.9) hours] (P<0.01). After treatment, the left atrial inner diameter in the study group was significantly diminished compared with that before treatment (P<0.01). ConclusionFor patients with senile hypertension complicated with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, irbesartan is effective to control blood pressure, decrease atrial fibrillation recurrence frequency and duration, and inhibit left atrioventricular remodeling.