Open AccessAngiotensin Receptor Blockade Improves Vascular Compliance in Healthy Normotensive Elderly Individuals: Results From a Randomized Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Trial
Author(s) -
Rajagopalan Sanjak,
Kariisa Mbabazi,
Dellegrottaglie Santo,
Bard Robert L.,
Kehrer Christine,
Matlow Susan,
Daley William,
Pitt Bertram,
Brook Robert
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.1524-6175.2006.05797.x
Subject(s) - medicine , valsartan , angiotensin ii , blood pressure , pulse wave velocity , angiotensin receptor , brachial artery , blockade , angiotensin ii receptor type 1 , cardiology , renin–angiotensin system , endocrinology , receptor
The renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) may play a role in vascular aging. The authors hypothesized that blockade of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor with an angiotensin receptor blocker in healthy elderly subjects improves vascular compliance and endothelial function. Thirty‐five healthy elderly subjects were randomized to valsartan or placebo in a double‐blind crossover study after baseline testing for pulse wave velocity, aortic augmentation index, and brachial artery flow‐mediated dilation. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade with valsartan improved vascular compliance but not flowmediated dilation. Changes in pulse wave velocity with valsartan were correlated with change in central systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure and remained associated on multivariate analysis. Change in pulse wave velocity after adjusting for degree of blood pressure change, age, and sex remained correlated with assignment to the angiotensin receptor blocker but not placebo. These data suggest that angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade improves aging‐related vascular compliance without alterations in flow‐mediated dilation. Mechanisms regulating compliance and endothelial function are complex and may not necessarily converge in aging.