Effect of Long-Acting Isosorbide-5-Mononitrate Administration on Large Artery Distensibility in Patients with Essential Hypertension

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of long-acting nitrates, isosorbide-5-mononitrate (IS-5-MN), on large artery distensibility in patients with essential hypertension. Large arterial distensibility was assessed by automatic noninvasive measurement of the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Seventeen patients aged 62.53±7.94 years (mean±SD) with essential hypertension undering long-term antihypertensive therapy were studied in this trial. PWV was measured 2 weeks and 4 weeks after oral administration of IS-5-MN (30 mg once daily) with previous therapy. There was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure or heart rate at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment compared with baseline. The carotid-femoral PWV decreased significantly at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment (p