β-Blockers and Vascular Hemodynamics in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease.
Aortic augmentation index (AIx) is a marker of central aortic pressure burden and is modulated by antihypertensive drugs. In patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing antihypertensive treatment, aortic pressures parameters, heart rate-adjusted augmentation index (AIx75), and unadjusted AIx were determined. The (aortic) systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not differ between PAD patients who were taking β-blockers (n=61) and those who were not taking β-blockers (n=80). In patients taking β-blockers, augmentation pressure and pulse pressure were higher than in patients who did not take β-blockers (augmentation pressure, P=.02; pulse pressure, P=.005). AIx75 was lower in PAD patients taking β-blockers than in patients not taking β-blockers (P=.04), while the AIx did not differ between PAD patients taking and not taking β-blockers. The present study demonstrates that β-blockers potentially affect markers of vascular hemodynamics in patients with PAD. Because these markers are surrogates of cardiovascular risk, further studies are warranted to clarify the impact of selective β-blocker treatment on clinical outcome in patients with PAD.
Division of Angiology, Department of Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Wien, Austria.
Oliver
O
Schlager
Division of Angiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Ludmila
L
Gajdosova Kovacicova
Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Oliver
O
Senn
Division of Angiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Beatrice
B
Amann-Vesti
Division of Experimental Medicine and Immunotherapeutics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Ian B
IB
Wilkinson
Division of Angiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Vincenzo
V
Jacomella
Division of Angiology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Marc
M
Husmann
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D062186:Arterial Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D063177:Pulse Wave Analysis; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000187:drug effects
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents