Approach to a successful selection of antihypertensive drugs for the patient with atherosclerosis

Am J Ther. 2013 Jul-Aug;20(4):442-7. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0b013e318235f190.

Abstract

Coronary heart disease has become a medical and public health issue associated with multiple risk factors such as age, diet, and sedentary life style. Associations between hypertension and atherosclerosis have been extensively studied, and several trials have demonstrated antiatherosclerotic properties in some of the most widely used antihypertensive agents. Hence, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin receptor blockers have been the target for a number of controlled randomized trials studying its effect on atherosclerosis progression. Carotid intima-media thickness measurement by ultrasound is used as surrogate of atherosclerosis in most of these controlled trials. This review of the literature aims to summarize the most significant controlled trials involving antihypertensive therapy and atherosclerosis regression based on the carotid intima-media thickness measurement.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / pharmacology
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Atherosclerosis / drug therapy*
  • Atherosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
  • Coronary Disease / drug therapy*
  • Coronary Disease / physiopathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

  • Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Calcium Channel Blockers