Improvement of Coronary Microvascular Function After Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Treatment With Irbesartan in Patients With Systemic Hypertension

Abstract

Patients with hypertension exhibit changes in vessel conductance and resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the angiotensin receptor blocker irbesartan on coronary microvascular function. Thirty-six hypertensive patients without coronary artery or systemic disease were examined. Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFR) was measured using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography in 18 men (54±9years) before and after 3months of treatment with 600mg/d of irbesartan and in 18 controls (55±11years). Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was evaluated with high-resolution echocardiography. Baseline CFR did not differ between groups. CFR significantly improved in the irbesartan group (from 2.87±.42 to 3.78±.32; P