[Stiffness of the Arterial Wall and Central Hemodynamics During Long-Term Combination Antihypertensive Therapy].

Aim of the METR study - to assess effect of antihypertensive therapy with fixed combination of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril (10 mg) and calcium antagonist amlodipine (5 mg) on parameters of arterial wall stiffness and central hemodynamics in patients with stage I-II essential hypertension (EH) and functional class II-III ischemic heart disease. Combination therapy was associated with persistent lowering of central arterial pressure, decrease of augmentation index and other parameters of arterial wall stiffness, and reduction of left ventricular myocardial mass. These changes have a potential to lower risk of cardiovascular complications and improve prognosis of patients with EH.