title: Beneficial effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker antihypertensive treatment on arterial stiffness: the role of smoking.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to assess angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment on arterial stiffness in select hypertensive patients and define possible differences between smokers and nonsmokers. The authors evaluated 81 consecutive, nondiabetic patients (mean age, 52 years; 47 men) with uncomplicated essential hypertension with high plasma renin activity who were administered monotherapy with irbesartan, an ARB, at maximal dose. Patients were divided into smokers (n=24) and nonsmokers (n=57). Carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWVc-r), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVc-f), and augmentation index (AIx) were measured before and 6 months after ARB antihypertensive treatment. All mean values of elastic effect indices were decreased after irbesartan monotherapy (AIx, from 26.3%to 21.2% [P<.01;] PWVc-f, from 7.7 m/s to 7.3 m/s [P<.05], and PWVc-r, from 8.9 m/s to 8.3 m/s [P<.001]). When comparing smokers vs nonsmokers, no difference was noted in AIx and PWVc-f change (P=not significant), while PWVc-r change was greater in smokers compared with nonsmokers (P<.05). Chronic ARB treatment may favorably affect arterial stiffness and wave reflections in hypertensive chronic smokers with elevated plasma renin levels.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Unit, First Department of Cardiology, University of Athens Medical School, Hippokration Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Gregory P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Vyssoulis
authors.forename: Eva A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Karpanou
authors.forename: Stella-Maria G
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kyvelou
authors.forename: Dionysios N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Adamopoulos
authors.forename: George C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Antonakoudis
authors.forename: Alexandros D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Deligeorgis
authors.forename: Dennis V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Cokkinos
authors.forename: Christodoulos I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077405:Irbesartan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; D012083:Renin; D000077405:Irbesartan