Effects of fluvastatin on endothelium dependent vasodilatation function in elder hypertensives

To investigate the effect of fluvastatin on the endothelium dependent vasodilatation function in elder hypertensives. Endothelium dependent vasodilatation and non-endothelium dependent vasodilatation function was determined in brachial artery in 51 elderly hypertensives (17 cases each in glade 1–3), 15 normotensives served as control. Endothelium-dependent vascular function (Δ;Dia-P) was determined by the percentage changes in vessel diameter after 5 min compression using Acuson 128X110 sonography. It was found that endothelium dependent vasodilatation function was markedly decreased in three hypertensive group as compared with normotensives (P<0.01), though there was no significant differences among three hypertensive groups.No significant difference of non-endothelium dependent vasodilatation function was noted between hypertensives and normotensives. Endothelium dependent vasodilatation function was markedly ameliorated after an average of 5 months treatment with 20–40 mg daily fluvastatin (9.16 ± 5.32% vs5.93 ± 3.51%). Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure was an only independent factor for brachial endothelium dependent vasodilatation function (R2 =0.359,df=65;P<0.001). It is concluded that hypertension per se is an independent risk factor for the deterioration of vascular endothelial function in elder hypertensives. Endothelium dependent vasodilatation function was markedly ameliorated after fluvastatin treatment in elderly hypertensives.