Open AccessContinuous Improvement of Arterial Compliance Beyond Blood Pressure Decrease After 5 Years of Antihypertensive Treatmente
Author(s) -
Bellido Claudio A.,
Iavicoli Oscar R.,
Rusak Eduardo J.,
Vazquez Sonia T.,
Piñeiro Daniel J.,
Vazquez Sonia T.,
Lerman Jorge
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the journal of clinical hypertension
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1751-7176
pISSN - 1524-6175
DOI - 10.1111/j.1524-6175.2006.05342.x
Subject(s) - medicine , blood pressure , arterial stiffness , pulse wave velocity , cardiology , pulse pressure , compliance (psychology) , renin–angiotensin system , diastole , plasma renin activity , antihypertensive drug , psychology , social psychology
Pulse wave velocity is a reliable marker of arterial compliance. Stiffness of large and elastic arteries leads to a faster propagation of pulse wave. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in arterial distensibility using antihypertensive drugs. This treatment focused on the inhibition of the renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system and the changes produced in blood pressure. Measurements were taken at baseline and throughout 60 months in 66 previously untreated hypertensive patients (22 men and 44 women, aged 54±9.5 years, range 38–73 years at baseline). All patients received either angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or, in case of adverse effects, angiotensin receptor blockers. To control blood pressure, diuretics, calcium channel blocking agents, or â blockers were added when appropriate. Statistical analysis was performed by means of ANOVA with á=0.05. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased during the first year without significant changes thereafter. There were no significant changes in pulse pressure. Pulse wave velocity showed a continuous and significant decrease throughout the follow‐up period, but its reduction since the third year was more evident than the decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.0001 for both). This observation could be related to changes in arterial remodeling probably due to angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibition or renin angiotensin system blockade. Further investigations are needed to establish this relationship.