P.086 Evaluation of Arterial Distensibility in Hypertensive Patients Treated with Irbesartan

Abstract

Introduction

The aim of the study is to evaluate the improvement of arterial distensibility by means of: (1) decrease of pulse wave velocity (PWV); (2) decrease of SBP and PP; and (3) decrease of Blood Pressure (BP), using an Angiotensin-II receptor antagonist, Irbesartan.

Material and Methods

97 hypertensive patients, of which 43 (45.7%) were men, who attended their primary care centres two times. Mean age was 55 (SD ±10) in men and 62 (SD ±11) in women. All patients had their BP checked with a mercury sphygmomanometer, and their PWV measured with an automatic device, Complior, which registers in two different points (carotid and femoral arteries). Both measurements were taken at the initial appointment and at the six months follow up.

Table 1

Results

there was a decrease in SBP, Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), PP, and PWV. A significant relation between the decrease of PWV and the decrease of the SBP was found.

Conclusions

(1) The PWV can be a valid indirect method to measure the arterial elasticity decrease in clinical practice, and (2) The use of drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system (Irbesartan) can be useful in improving such elasticity.