Elevated circulating endothelial microparticles and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity in well-controlled hypertensive patients

Vascular dysfunction in hypertensive condition is characterized by impaired endothelial function and reduced artery elasticity. Circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) and brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) are novel evaluation parameters for vascular function. However, their changes in patients with well-controlled blood pressure (BP) have not been fully acquired. To address this issue, circulating EMPs, defined as CD31+/CD42− MPs and baPWV were detected in 30 healthy subjects, 30 uncontrolled hypertensive (UCHT) patients and 23 well-controlled hypertensive (WCHT) patients. UCHT patients displayed elevated baPWV ( P