Nebivololo efficacy on pressure control and endothelial dysfunction in hypertensive post-menopausal women

Introduction: Arterial hypertension and endothelial dysfunction are closely related factors in determining a higher cardiovascular risk in hypertensive postmenopausal women. The nebivolol is a selective beta1-blocker with additional peripheral vasodilating properties related to an increase in nitricoxide (NO) bioavailability. Aim of the Study: This study aims at testing the efficacy of endothelial dependent effect of nebivolol in hypertensive postmenopausal women by evaluating (i) its effect on the physical performance and (ii) its ability to control the systolic arterial pressure (SAP) during maximal exertional test. Materials and Methods: 13 hypertensive postmenopausal women (mean age: 53.2 1.64 years), who were already under treatment, underwent a brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and cardiopulmonary exercise testing to determine peak oxigen consumption (VO2) before (T0) and after (T1) a treatment period with nebivolol (mean duration: 76.8 22.6 days; daily dose: 4.5 1.12 mg). The standard treatment was suspended between T0 and T1. Results: The nebivolol did not differ from standard treatments as far as blood pressure control is concerned. Nebivolol also improved the FMD (p<.05; fig. 1) and determined a significant increase in VO2 peak consumption during exercise (delta VO2 precent: 8.2 4.55%, p<0.02) without comprising systolic pressure control. Conclusion: Nebivolol determines (i) a significant improvement of the endothelial function while keeping blood pressure under control; (ii) an increased exertional performance. These results suggest that nebivolol shuld be preferentially used as a main anti-hypertensive drug in postmenopausal women. (Poster Session 06: Endothelium)