Effects of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor on Arterial Stiffness, Diastolic Function, and Exercise Performance in Patients with Hypertension

Background: The aim of this study w as to investigate the relations betw een arterial stiffness, diastolic function, and exercise perform ance and the effects of angiotensin-converting enzym e inhibitor (A C E I), perindopril, in these three areas in patients w ith hypertension (H T). M ethods: A total of 39 patients (60.94.9 years, 23 m ales) w ith a new ly diagnosed or untreated H T, stage I, w ere enrolled. A rterial stiffness m easured by pulse w ave velocity, diastolic function m easured by echocardiography, and exercise performance and hemodynamic parameters measured by a treadmill exercise test were compared before and after 6 m onths of m edical treatm ent w ith an A C E I. Results: The param eters for arterial stiffness, diastolic function, and exercise perform ance did not show significant correlations w ith each other at baseline. Systolic (from 147.66.5 m m H g to 134.39.6 m m H g, p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressures (from 87.77.5 m m H g to 82.96.2 m m H g, p<0.001) decreased significantly after 6 m onths of A CEI treatm ent. Except for duration of total exercise tim e, the param eters for arterial stiffness, diastolic function, and the hem odynam ic response to exercise also im proved significantly after 6 m onths of AC EI treatm ent. Conclusion: Though the param eters for arterial stiffness, diastolic function, and exercise perform ance were not associated with each other at baseline, they all im proved significantly after 6 m onths of medical treatm ent with an ACEI in elderly patients with stage I HT. The results of this study suggest the possibility of additional benefits of ACEI beyond low ering blood pressure.