The effect of losartan on endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension by measuring flow-mediated vasodilation

Objective: To investigate the effect of losartan on endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension by using flow-mediated vasodilation(FMD) of brachial artery. Methods: We tested the basic FMD and maximum velocity(Vmax) of brachial artery in 20 patients with essential hypertension. After giving the patients 50mg losartan per day for 8 weeks, the FMD and Vmax was tested again. The blood pressure (BP) was measured simultaneously. Results: After the treatment there were no significant changes of brachial artery initial diameter while FMD increased significantly (4. 64% ± 3. 72% vs 7. 68% ± 6. 12% , P = 0.024) and the change was independent of BP decreasing. The Vmax was also increased significantly. Conclusions: The brachial FMD can be regarded as a useful method to evaluate endothelial-dependent vasodilative function. Flow-mediated brachial artery dilation would be improved afer taking losartan 50mg/d for 8 weeks, and this is independent of BP decreasing.