Effects of telmisartan on arterial stiffness in Type 2 diabetes patients with essential hypertension

Arterial wall stiffness, an important independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension, is worsened by the coexistence of diabetes mellitus. This randomised, prospective, double-blind, crossover trial assessed the effects of telmisartan on arterial stiffness in patients with Type 2 diabetes with essential hypertension. After a two-week placebo wash out period, 28 ambulatory patients received telmisartan (40 mg) or placebo for three weeks. Following a second two-week placebo wash out period, patients received the alternate treatment for a further three weeks. Augmentation index and central blood pressure (BP) were determined using the SphygmoCor(TM) device and pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured using an automatic device, the Complior(TM), at the beginning and the end of each period. Telmisartan significantly reduced the carotid-femoral PWV compared with placebo (mean adjusted treatment difference -0.95 m/s; 95% Cl: -1.67, -0.23 m/s; p = 0.013). Peripheral and central diastolic, systolic and pulse pressures were also significantly reduced with telmisartan compared with placebo. In conclusion, telmisartan reduces arterial stiffness and peripheral and central BPs as assessed by PWV and pulse contour analysis in hypertensive patients with Type 2 diabetes. These properties of telmisartan suggest that it may improve cardiovascular outcome in this patient population.