THE EFFECTS OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY ON CAROTID VASCULAR STRUCTUREIN MAN

Citation
J. Mayet et al., THE EFFECTS OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY ON CAROTID VASCULAR STRUCTUREIN MAN, Cardiovascular Research, 30(1), 1995, pp. 147-152
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiac & Cardiovascular System
Journal title
ISSN journal
00086363
Volume
30
Issue
1
Year of publication
1995
Pages
147 - 152
Database
ISI
SICI code
0008-6363(1995)30:1<147:TEOATO>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
An increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) has been found to be associated with a number of cardiovascular risk factors such as age, hypertension, cigarette smoking, hypercholesterolaemia and left ventri cular hypertrophy. Our objective was to assess whether carotid intima- media thickness in hypertensive patients could be reduced by antihyper tensive therapy. Methods: 13 hypertensive patients, 10 previously untr eated, were examined using carotid ultrasonography and echocardiograph y at baseline and then at 8 weeks and 39 weeks after commencement of a ntihypertensive therapy with ramipril and the second-line addition of felodipine. Results: By the end of the study significant regression of IMT (0.1(0.05-0.16) mm, F-value 10.2, P < 0.01) and left ventricular mass index had occurred (25(10.7-39.3) g/m(2), F-value 9.7, P < 0.01). The reduction in IMT was significantly related to the reduction in me an arterial pressure, r = 0.55, P = 0.05). Conclusion: Antihypertensiv e therapy with ramipril and felodipine causes regression of IMT in hyp ertensive patients, probably chiefly through blood pressure reduction. Large prospective studies are required to assess whether a reduction in IMT results in a reduction in morbidity and mortality.