Diabetes Metab J.  2011 Jun;35(3):236-242. 10.4093/dmj.2011.35.3.236.

The Effect of an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker on Arterial Stiffness in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Hypertension

• Kim JH
• Oh SJ
• Lee JM
• Hong EG
• Yu JM
• Han KA
• Min KW
• Son HS
• Chang SA

• KMID: 2175425
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2011.35.3.236

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This study analyzed the changes in central aortic waveforms and pulse wave velocity as well as related parameters after treatment with valsartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.
METHODS
We used pulse wave analysis to measure central aortic waveform in a total of 98 subjects. In 47 of these patients, pulse wave velocity measurements were obtained before and after 12 weeks of treatment with valsartan.
RESULTS
In the central aortic waveform analysis, the aortic pulse pressure and augmentation index were significantly decreased after valsartan treatment, as was the aortic pulse wave velocity. Factors contributing to the improvement in pulse wave velocity were the fasting blood glucose and haemoglobin A1c levels.
CONCLUSION
Short-term treatment with valsartan improves arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and the glucose status at baseline was associated with this effect.

Keyword

Angiotensin receptor blocker; Arterial stiffness; Diabetes mellitus; Hypertension

MeSH Terms

Angiotensins
Arterial Pressure
Blood Glucose
Cardiovascular Diseases
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Fasting
Glucose
Humans
Hypertension
Pulse Wave Analysis
Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1
Risk Factors
Tetrazoles
Valine
Vascular Stiffness
Valsartan
Angiotensins
Blood Glucose
Glucose
Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1
Tetrazoles
Valine