Evaluation of coronary blood flow reserve by 13N-NH3 positron emission computed tomography (PET) with dipyridamole in the treatment of hypertension with the ACE inhibitor (Cilazapril).
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (Cilazapril) for early hypertensive patients in terms of coronary blood flow reserve evaluated by 13NH3-positron emission tomography (PET).


METHODS
Before and after 12 weeks of ACE inhibitor treatment, 13NH3-PET with dipyridamole provocation test was performed, and definite myocardial perfusion and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were calculated.


RESULTS
Compared to our normal subjects previously reported (2.61+/-0.74), average coronary flow reserve was decreased (1.70+/-0.64 in hypertensive patients), and improved after treatment (1.77+/-0.52), but not significantly. Of 12 patients, five (42%) showed improved coronary flow reserve from 1.34 to 1.99 without a significant change in the resting flow. Only one patient (8%) showed deterioration after the ACE inhibitor treatment. The coronary vascular resistance (CVR) after ACE inhibitor treatment of the patients with CFR < 2.0 decreased significantly compared with those with CFR> or = 2.0 (p < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that hypertensive patients at the early stage show decreased coronary flow reserve despite having normal resting flow. Treatment with an ACE inhibitor (Cilazapril) for 12 weeks improved coronary flow reserve in 42% of our patients. The CVR of the patients with CFR < 2.0 showed improvement compared to those with CFR> or = 2.0. This result indicates that an ACE inhibitor (e.g., Cilazapril) should be one of the choices for improving CFR if hypertensive patients in early stage show signs of ischemia or diastolic dysfunction, which may be one of the sequels of reserve restriction.
Masuda
D
D
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University, Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.
Nohara
R
R
Tamaki
N
N
Hosokawa
R
R
Inada
H
H
Hikai
T
T
Chen
L G
LG
Tadamura
E
E
Kudou
T
T
Konishi
J
J
Fujita
M
M
Sasayama
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000641:Ammonia; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D017315:Cilazapril; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004176:Dipyridamole; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009590:Nitrogen Radioisotopes; D011674:Pulse; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D009590:Nitrogen Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D017315:Cilazapril; D004176:Dipyridamole; D000641:Ammonia