Antihypertensive treatment and vessel wall properties of large arteries.

Atherosclerosis is an important cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A good arterial compliance has been suggested to protect large vessels from atherosclerosis. Arterial compliance is diminished in patients with essential hypertension. The influence of verapamil (calcium-antagonist) and nebivolol (beta-adrenoceptor antagonist) on the vessel-wall properties of the common carotid artery were investigated. The two drugs improved compliance of the common carotid artery. Results from other studies on arterial compliance and antihypertensive drugs are also discussed.