Effect Of Irbesartan On Left Ventricular Structure And Function Together With Endothelial Function In Essential Hypertensive Patients

[Objective] To observe the effect of Irbesartan, a new angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on left ventricular structure and function together with endothelial function on essential hypertensive patients.[Methods ] The left ventricular structure and function together with endothelial-dependent vasodilation function were observed in 20 essential hypertensive patients by 2D-Doppler echocardiography before and after 16 -week treatment with Irbesantan (150-300mg once daily).[Results ] (1) After treated with Irbesartan for 16 weeks , left ventricular mass and its index hi EH patients were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while cardiac diastolic function was obviously improved (P<0. 05). )(2)The percentage of the brachial artery diameter at hypermic condition (flow-mediated vasodilation, reflected endothelial-dependent vasodilation function) increased significantly, whereas there was no significant difference in response to nitroglycerin (nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilation, reflected non endothelial-dependent vasodilation function) before and after Irbesartan intervention. (3) The total responder rate in Irbesartan treated patients was 85% . (4)There were no significant change in cardiac systolic function, heart rate, plasma glucose, plasma liqids, serum uric acid, serum potassium, serum sodium, hepatic and renal function and renal artery resistantivity index after the treatment.[Conclusions] Besides decreasing blood pressure, Irbesartan can improve not only left ventricular remodeling and diastolic function , but also endothelial function.