title: Effect of Angiotensin receptor blockers on flow-mediated vasodilation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In a meta-analysis, we investigated the effects of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in comparison to placebo or other classes of antihypertensive drugs on endothelial function, which was measured by brachial flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched for randomized controlled trials that compared ARBs with placebo or other classes of antihypertensive drugs in improving FMD. A random-effect model was used to compute pooled estimates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 13 trials (n = 529), ARBs were more efficacious in improving brachial FMD than placebo [pooled weighted mean change difference (WMD) 1.34%, 95% CI, 0.93-1.75%, p<0.001]. In 15 trials (n = 918), treatment with ARBs had a significant effect on brachial FMD when compared with other antihypertensive drugs (pooled WMD 0.59%, 95% CI, 0.20-0.98%, p = 0.003 with significant heterogeneity). ARBs were also more efficacious in improving brachial FMD than calcium channel blockers (CCBs; pooled WMD 1.61%, 95% CI, 0.72-2.49%, p < 0.001) but not the other classes of drugs (p ≥ 0.072).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis shows that ARBs improve brachial FMD, a marker of endothelial function, and that they are superior to placebo and CCBs. There was no significant difference in the effect on brachial FMD between ARBs and the other antihypertensive drugs.
authors: Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China.
authors: Jian-Dong
authors: JD
authors: Chen
authors: Ming
authors: M
authors: Liu
authors: Xiao-hu
authors: XH
authors: Chen
authors: Zhi-Jian
authors: ZJ
authors: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents