결론: 고혈압을 갖는 환자에서 동맥경직도, 이완기 심기능 및 운동수행능과 연관된 인자들은 서로 유의한 연관성은 없었으나, 6개월 간의 ACEI 사용으로 유의하게 호전 되었다. 본 연구의 결과는 ACEI가 혈압강하 효과 외에 고혈압 치료에 있어서 다른 이로운 효과가 있을 가능성을 시사하였으나, 이의 입증을 위해서는 혈압 강하 효과가 비슷한 다른 대조군과의 비교 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relations between arterial stiffness, diastolic function, and
exercise performance and the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), perindopril, in these three
areas in patients with hypertension (HT).
Methods: A total of 39 patients (60.9?.9 years, 23 males) with a newly diagnosed or untreated HT, stage I, were
enrolled. Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity, diastolic function measured by echocardiography, and
exercise performance and hemodynamic parameters measured by a treadmill exercise test were compared before and
after 6 months of medical treatment with an ACEI.
Results: The parameters for arterial stiffness, diastolic function, and exercise performance did not show significant
treatment. Except for duration of total exercise time, the parameters for arterial stiffness, diastolic function, and th
hemodynamic response to exercise also improved significantly after 6 months of ACEI treatment.
Conclusion: Though the parameters for arterial stiffness, diastolic function, and exercise performance were not associate
with each other at baseline, they all improved significantly after 6 months of medical treatment with an ACEI in
elderly patients with stage I HT. The results of this study suggest the possibility of additional benefits of ACEI beyond
lowering blood pressure.