Effects of salbutamol and glyceryl trinitrate on large arterial stiffness are similar between patients with hypertension and adults with normal blood pressure

What is already known about this subject Assessment of endothelial function gives prognostic information and allows risk stratification among patients with hypertension. Existing techniques for determining endothelial function involve invasive methods that are not widely applicable beyond a research environment. A simple non‐invasive pulse wave analysis (PWA) method for assessing endothelial function has recently been described, but its applicability in clinical practice is uncertain. What this study adds Application of the PWA technique to patients with established hypertension is feasible, but endothelial dysfunction was not detected. Possible discrepancies between different agonists used to assess endothelial function might be important and need further consideration. Aims Endothelial function is characteristically impaired in patients with hypertension. Endothelial function was assessed in men and women with hypertension using a recently described, non‐invasive method. Methods Twenty patients and 20 controls received salbutamol 400 µg and glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) 500 µg in a two‐way randomized, single‐blind study. Effects on augmentation index (AIx) were assessed using pulse wave analysis (PWA). Results Responses (absolute AIx reduction and 95% confidence interval) to salbutamol were 8.4% (6.2, 10.6) and 8.3% (7.0, 9.6) in patients and controls, respectively, and those to GTN were 13.6% (10.8, 16.4) and 15.5% (13.0, 17.0), respectively. Conclusions Systemic arterial responses to endothelium‐dependent and ‐independent vasodilators are preserved in patients with mild, uncomplicated hypertension, indicating normal large arterial endothelial function.