Quinapril improves endothelial function in postmenopausal hypertensive patients

Hypertension is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors, and it may be responsible for the excess morbidity and mortality in postmenopausal women. Endothelium-dependent dilation of conduit arteries is reduced in women after menopause, as shown by the reduced flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in FMD during and following a 6-month-long treatment with increasing doses (10, 20 and 40 mg) of quinapril in hypertensive postmenopausal patients.

A multicenter, open-label, non-comparative, baseline control study in 61 postmenopausal outpatients.

The mean baseline FMD (% +/- SD) of the 53 patients in the intent-to-treat population (patients with at least one FMD evaluation) was 2.83 +/- 1.24%; FMD of the 51 subjects on 10 mg quinapril daily was 5.58 +/- 2.179%; FMD of the 52 patients on 20 mg quinapril was 7.06 +/- 2.31%, and FMD of the 53 subjects on 40 mg daily was 8.07 +/- 2.57% (p < 0.001 for each dose, compared to baseline).

Ourresults confirmed that quinapril improves endothelial function at all examined doses as measured by FMD. Modulation of the renin-angiotensin system may act as a target for reducing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal hypertensive women.