The aim of the study was to compare the effects of 5 drugs representing different antihypertensive classes on arterial wall shear stress (WSS) and arterial stiffness in patients with essential arterial hypertension (HT).

Material and methods: 95 pts. with HT (stage 1 and 2) were divided into 5 groups, (N=19) and treated for 6 months by: quinapril 20–40 mg/d (group-1), amlodipine 5–10mg/d (group-2), hydrochlorothiazide 12,5–25mg/d (group-3), losartan 50–100 mg/d (group 4), bisoprolol 5–10 mg/d (group-5). Before and then after 1,3 and 6 months of treatment WSS in common carotid artery (CCA) was calculated using blood viscosity measured by Brookfield DV-III pro and maximal blood flow velocity measured ultrasonographically. At the same visits carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured using 3 devices Complior®, Sphygmocor® and Arteriograph^TM, office BP was measured using Omron M5-I device.

Results: At the baseline no differences between groups were observed in BP, PWV, CCA- WSS. ANOVA for repeated measurements revealed for all groups during treatment period significant decrease in SBP (p<0.001), DBP (p<0.001) and PWV measured by three different devices (p<0.001). CCA-WSS increased significantly (p<0.001). No between treatment groups differences were observed in above mentioned effects. In multiple regression analysis decrease of PWV was in significant relation to its baseline value (B= 0.567, p= 0.00032 and increase of CCA- WSS (B=0.232, p= 0.0074).

Conclusion: Antihypertensive treatment reduces arterial stiffness proportionally to its baseline value and independently of the used drug. This effect could be partially explained by increase of arterial wall shear stress.