We compared effects of racemic amlodipine and S-amlodipine in 127 patients with 1-2 degree arterial hypertension (AH) on structural-functional parameters of the left ventricle and brachial artery as well as on characteristics of carbohydrate, lipid, electrolyte, and purine metabolism. Racemic amlodipine was given to 66 and S-amlodipine--to 61 patients. Duration of therapy was 24 weeks. In all patients we observed positive and comparable hypotensive effect while doses of S-amlodipine were significantly lower than those of racemic amlodipine (7.5 +/- 0.8 and 11.6 +/- 1.4 mg/day, respectively, p < 0.01). Monotherapy with S-amlodipine resulted in complete regression of left ventricular hypertrophy in 55% and normalization of left ventricular diastolic function in 62.4% of cases; significant improvement of brachial artery vasomotor function was also observed. In addition treatment with S-amlodipine for 24 weeks in patients with hyperlipidemia led to significant lowering of levels of atherogenic lipoproteins and total cholesterol.