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The effect of treatment with eprosartan on pulse pressure: factors predicting response

Alejandro de la Sierra1, Anna Muñoz, Emma Arcos

  • 1Hypertension Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain. asierra@clinic.ub.es

The Canadian Journal of Cardiology
|June 30, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Eprosartan effectively lowers pulse pressure in hypertensive patients, offering cardiovascular benefits. This reduction is significant and well-tolerated, particularly in older individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pulse pressure is a key cardiovascular risk factor, especially in elderly individuals and those with isolated systolic hypertension.
  • The varying effects of antihypertensive medications on pulse pressure remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of eprosartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, on pulse pressure in patients with essential hypertension.
  • To identify factors influencing eprosartan's effect on pulse pressure.

Main Methods:

  • An observational study involving 4067 patients with essential hypertension.
  • 3133 patients received 12 weeks of eprosartan 600 mg/day, often as monotherapy.
  • Blood pressure was measured using a validated oscillometric device.

Main Results:

  • Eprosartan significantly reduced pulse pressure by 13.5 mmHg (P<0.001) and also lowered systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures.
  • The pulse pressure/mean blood pressure ratio decreased by 4%, indicating a reduction in the pulsatile component.
  • The reduction in pulse pressure was more pronounced in patients over 60, those with higher baseline ratios, and those with cardiovascular complications.

Conclusions:

  • Eprosartan is an effective and well-tolerated antihypertensive medication that reduces pulse pressure.
  • The observed reduction in pulse pressure is partly independent of overall blood pressure severity, potentially enhancing safety and organ protection.
Abstract

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