Original Research: Carotid intima-media thickness and plaque volume changes following 2-year angiotensin II-receptor blockade. The Multicentre Olmesartan atherosclerosis Regression Evaluation (MORE) study

Abstract

Carotid IMT and BP decreased similarly with olmesartan and atenolol, but only olmesartan reduced the volume of larger atherosclerotic plaques.

A randomized, double-blind, four-arm parallel-group study of the efficacy and safety of azelnidipine and olmesartan medoxomil combination therapy compared with each monotherapy in Japanese patients with essential hypertension: the REZALT study

“…15,16 In addition to reducing BP, OLM is reported to have the following effects: inhibition of vascular remodeling, anti-inflammatory effect, antiatherosclerotic effect, maintaining cerebral blood flow and prevention of microalbuminuria. [17][18][19][20] AZL is also reported to have the following effects: antioxidative effect, antiatherosclerotic effect, maintaining cerebral blood flow, prevention of proteinuria and PR reduction which is not observed with amlodipine. [21][22][23][24][25] Furthermore, combined use of ARB and AZL is reported to prevent microalbuminuria in diabetic nephropathy patients.…”

Residual Cardiovascular Risk in Individuals on Blood Pressure–Lowering Treatment

“…Observational studies established a graded positive relation between BP levels and CVD risk,1, 2 and randomized controlled trials demonstrated that reductions in BP levels through antihypertensive treatment were paralleled by reductions in CVD events 3, 4. Ample evidence indicates that antihypertensive treatment also reduces the burden of subclinical CVD, including regression of left ventricular (LV) mass, carotid intima‐media thickness, and urinary albumin excretion, during short‐term follow‐up 5, 6, 7, 8. Most of the latter analyses, however, focused on selected parameters of subclinical disease and were performed in clinical trials with limited durations of follow‐up6, 8 or in clinical samples of modest size 5, 7…”

“…Ample evidence indicates that antihypertensive treatment also reduces the burden of subclinical CVD, including regression of left ventricular (LV) mass, carotid intima‐media thickness, and urinary albumin excretion, during short‐term follow‐up 5, 6, 7, 8. Most of the latter analyses, however, focused on selected parameters of subclinical disease and were performed in clinical trials with limited durations of follow‐up6, 8 or in clinical samples of modest size 5, 7…”

3D Quantitative Evaluation of Atherosclerotic Plaque Based on Rotational Angiography

“…16 Therefore, there is considerable value in quantifying the plaque volume from 3D angiograms. Our preliminary results showed that using PR to assess plaque volume is feasible for clinical images.…”

“…2,[5][6][7][8] Advances in imaging technology have made it possible to observe the 3D geometric changes of blood vessels and evaluate the degree of vessel narrowing in patients by using techniques such as MR imaging and CT. 6,7,9,10 Researchers have also presented various techniques and computational models to assess irregular vascular geometry and to estimate the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque. 5,7,[11][12][13] While plaque volume has been reported as an important tool for patient management and for evaluating new therapies, [14][15][16] methods to evaluate this index are limited. 14,15,17,18 Because conventional angiography remains the criterion standard for the diagnosis of vascular diseases, 19,20 techniques that can quantify plaque by using conventional angiography data can be useful.…”