RESUMEN
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 ß-blockers (n=61) and those who were not taking ß-blockers (n=80). In patients taking ß-blockers, augmentation pressure and pulse pressure were higher than in patients who did not take ß-blockers (augmentation pressure, P=.02; pulse pressure, P=.005). AIx75 was lower in PAD patients taking ß-blockers than in patients not taking ß-blockers (P=.04), while the AIx did not differ between PAD patients taking and not taking ß-blockers. The present study demonstrates that ß-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 ß-blocker treatment on clinical outcome in patients with PAD.