In conclusion , NVBBs , but not VBBs , determine a lower reduction in cSBP than in pSBP .
However , the difference in treatment-induced SBP amplification changes between NVBB and VBB is nearly abolished after accounting for differences in heart rate changes
β-Blockers are less effective than other antihypertensive drug classes in reducing central systolic blood pressure ( cSBP ) as compared with peripheral SBP ( pSBP ) .
Whether this effect is less pronounced with vasodilating β-blockers ( VBB ) when compared with nonvasodilating β-blockers ( NVBB ) remains unsettled .
Local pulse pressure and regression of arterial wall hypertrophy during long-term antihypertensive treatment.
BACKGROUND Local pulse pressure ( PP ) is an independent determinant of carotid artery wall thickness , stronger than mean blood pressure ( BP ) . The present study was design ed to assess whether a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist-based or an ACE inhibitor-based treatment was able to reduce carotid artery wall hypertrophy through a reduction in carotid PP rather than by lowering mean BP and whether the influence of local PP reduction could also be detected at the site of a muscular artery , the radial artery . METHODS AND RESULTS Ninety-eight essential hypertensive patients were r and omized to 9 months of double-blind treatment with either celiprolol or enalapril . Arterial parameters were determined with high-resolution echo-tracking systems . PP was measured locally with applanation tonometry and independently of mean BP . After 9 months of treatment , mean BP , carotid PP , and intimal-medial thickness ( IMT ) decreased significantly , with no difference between the 2 groups . The reduction in carotid PP but not in mean BP was a major independent determinant of the reduction in carotid IMT . Radial artery IMT and PP decreased significantly with both treatments . However , the reduction in radial artery IMT was not related to the changes in radial artery PP . CONCLUSIONS The regression of carotid artery wall hypertrophy during long-term antihypertensive treatment was dependent on the reduction in local PP rather than on the lowering of mean BP . The effect of PP lowering on IMT reduction was observed at the site of an elastic artery but not at the site of a muscular artery
In conclusion , NVBBs , but not VBBs , determine a lower reduction in cSBP than in pSBP .
However , the difference in treatment-induced SBP amplification changes between NVBB and VBB is nearly abolished after accounting for differences in heart rate changes
β-Blockers are less effective than other antihypertensive drug classes in reducing central systolic blood pressure ( cSBP ) as compared with peripheral SBP ( pSBP ) .
Whether this effect is less pronounced with vasodilating β-blockers ( VBB ) when compared with nonvasodilating β-blockers ( NVBB ) remains unsettled .