β-blockers and vascular hemodynamics in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Aortic augmentation index (AIx) is a marker of central aortic pressure burden and is modulated by antihypertensive drugs. In patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) undergoing antihypertensive treatment, aortic pressures parameters, heart rate–adjusted augmentation index (AIx75), and unadjusted AIx were determined. The (aortic) systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not differ between PAD patients who were taking β-blockers (n=61) and those who were not taking β-blockers (n=80). In patients taking β-blockers, augmentation pressure and pulse pressure were higher than in patients who did not take β-blockers (augmentation pressure, P=.02; pulse pressure, P=.005). AIx75 was lower in PAD patients taking β-blockers than in patients not taking β-blockers (P=.04), while the AIx did not differ between PAD patients taking and not taking β-blockers. The present study demonstrates that β-blockers potentially affect markers of vascular hemodynamics in patients with PAD. Because these markers are surrogates of cardiovascular risk, further studies are warranted to clarify the impact of selective β-blocker treatment on clinical outcome in patients with PAD.