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Can Antihypertensive Treatment Reverse Large-Artery Stiffening?

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Abstract

In some controlled therapeutic trials for hypertension, a selective reduction of systolic blood pressure has been obtained with long-term treatment. The greatest effects on cardiovascular outcomes stem from a decrease of central blood pressure through a significant reduction of arterial stiffness, wave reflections, or both. Until now, all protocols have used angiotensin II blockade, mainly through angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition. Cardiovascular outcomes have been significantly improved when compared with controls, but most of them have been treated with beta blockers. Such “de-stiffening” therapies are important to consider and require additional trials.

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Acknowledgments

This review was prepared with the help of INSERM (Institut de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale) and GPH-CV (Groupe de Pharmacologie et d'Hémodynamique Cardiovasculaire), Paris. We thank Dr. Anne Safar for helpful and stimulating discussions.

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Correspondence to Michel E. Safar.

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Safar, M.E. Can Antihypertensive Treatment Reverse Large-Artery Stiffening?. Current Science Inc 12, 47–51 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-009-0085-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-009-0085-7

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