Arterial stiffness as a cardiovascular events risk marker and possibilities for its downregulation by contemporary antihypertensive medications

Arterial blood pressure measured by Korotkov’s method is a non-valid predictor for possible cardiovascular events, which requires introduction of new methods of arterial hypertension diagnostics. Recently, the effect on arterial stiffness has become a very important characteristic of antihypertensive drugs overall efficacy. Evaluation of arterial stiffness (central aortic pressure, augmentation index and pulse wave velocity) contributes to more precise cardiovascular risk stratification and reflects target organ damage and the effectiveness of antihypertensive treatment. In particular, pulse wave velocity exceeding 12 m/s is a significant risk factor of cardiovascular events. Arterial compliance can be determined by applanation tonometry, pulse wave shift at the carotid and femoral arteries, finger photoplethysmography, volume pulsoxymetry, echo-tracking, suprasystolic pulse waves recording method and cardio-ankle vascular index. Different effects of antihypertensive drugs on arterial stiffness at the same blood pressure reduction have been repeatedly shown. The article discusses the impact of the most commonly used antihypertensive drugs, including contemporary antihypertensive drugs combinations, on arterial stiffness. Effect of beta-blockers greatly varies depending on the characteristics of the drug, diuretics have neutral effect, calcium antagonists (especially amlodipine) decrease the pulse wave speed and arterial wall stiffness. Both angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (more data for enalapril, perindopril and valsartan) were effective in decreasing arterial wall stiffness. A significant reduction in arterial wall stiffness was mainly found if antihypertensive drugs combinations were used, especially the combination of calcium antagonists and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers.