title: The effect of antihypertensive drugs on endothelial function as assessed by flow-mediated vasodilation in hypertensive patients.
abstract: Endothelial dysfunction is found in hypertensive patients and may serve as a prognostic marker of future cardiovascular events. Endothelial function can be assessed noninvasively by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). The goal of this paper is to summarize comprehensively the clinical trials that investigated the effects of antihypertensive drugs on endothelial function assessed by FMD in hypertensive patients. A PubMed-based search found 38 clinical trial papers published from January 1999 to June 2011. Significant improvement of FMD after antihypertensive treatment was shown in 43 of 71 interventions (among 38 clinical trial papers). Angiotensin II receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors appeared to improve FMD more than other drug types. Antihypertensive treatment can improve endothelial dysfunction when assessed by FMD, although there are conflicting data that require further research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-City, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyamoto
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kotani
authors.forename: Shun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ishibashi
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taniguchi