Effect of angiotensin ii receptor blockade on arterial stiffness: beyond blood pressure reduction.
Author(s): Mahmud A, Feely J
Affiliation(s): Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity Centre and Hypertension Clinic, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Publication date & source: 2002-12, Am J Hypertens., 15(12):1092-5.
Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial
We compared the effect of losartan (50 mg/day) to hydrochlorthiazide (12.5 mg/day) on blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness in 11 untreated hypertensive patients aged 47 to 69 years in a 4-week single blind randomized crossover study with an intervening 4-week washout period. Both drugs produced a significant (P <.001) and similar decrease in brachial BP. Only losartan induced a significant decrease in arterial wave reflection (P <.0001), with a preferential reduction in aortic (P <.001) compared to brachial pulse pressure. Losartan also significantly increased pulse pressure amplification and reduced pulse wave velocity. These results suggest that an AT(1) receptor antagonist induces a BP independent decrease in aortic stiffness and arterial wave reflection.
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