Effects of ramipril on arterial hemodynamics.
The acute and chronic arterial effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramipril were studied in hypertensive patients. Hemodynamic and biological parameters were measured 3 h after the first dose of 5 mg of ramipril, and then again after 4 weeks of treatment, 3 and 24 h after drug administration. Brachial and carotid artery hemodynamics were evaluated using a two-dimensional pulsed Doppler system. Arterial distensibility was studied noninvasively in three arterial segments (carotidofemoral, brachioradial, and femorotibial) by evaluating the pulse wave velocity. Ramipril lowered the blood pressure significantly after acute and chronic administration. Chronic treatment with ramipril was followed by a long-lasting increase in brachial artery diameter, a decrease in forearm vascular resistance, and an improvement in aortic distensibility. The other arterial segments studied did not show any significant changes. Our results suggest that the long-lasting arterial effects of the ACE inhibitor ramipril are partly pressure independent and are related to effects on arterial tone that may reduce the cardiovascular abnormalities associated with hypertension.
Benetos
A
A
INSERM CJF 89-02, Hôpital Broussais, Paris, France.
Vasmant
D
D
Thiéry
P
P
Safar
M
M
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001810:Blood Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000097:blood; D017257:Ramipril; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D000804:Angiotensin II; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; D012083:Renin; D017257:Ramipril