Can antihypertensive treatment reverse large-artery stiffening?
In some controlled therapeutic trials for hypertension, a selective reduction of systolic blood pressure has been obtained with long-term treatment. The greatest effects on cardiovascular outcomes stem from a decrease of central blood pressure through a significant reduction of arterial stiffness, wave reflections, or both. Until now, all protocols have used angiotensin II blockade, mainly through angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. Cardiovascular outcomes have been significantly improved when compared with controls, but most of them have been treated with beta blockers. Such "de-stiffening" therapies are important to consider and require additional trials.
Safar
Michel E
ME
Centre de Diagnostic et de Thérapeutique, Hôtel-Dieu 1 Place du Parvis Notre-Dame, Paris Cedex 04, France. michel.safar@htd.aphp.fr
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011674:Pulse
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers