Effect of Irbesartan on Endothelial Function of the Retinal Vasculature in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2009-12-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The retinal vasculature is morphologically and functionally related to the cerebral vessels
due to its common origin from the internal carotid artery. A recent study demonstrated that
endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the retinal vasculature is impaired in patients with
essential hypertension, which is a strong risk factor for stroke. Furthermore, AT1-receptor
blockade was demonstrated to improve retinal endothelium-dependent vasodilation in these
hypertensive patients. Hypercholesterolemia is also a risk factor for ischemic stroke and
impairment of endothelial function has been observed in various vascular beds in
hypercholesterolemic patients, including the coronary and the forearm vasculature. Whether
endothelial function of the retinal vasculature is impaired in patients with
hypercholesterolemia has not yet been investigated. In patients with stroke, AT1-receptor
blockade and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition have beneficial effects on clinical
outcome. Alterations of endothelial function of the cerebral vasculature might be one
pathogenetic factor for the beneficial clinical outcome. To further address this issue, the
present study was designed to test the hypothesis that endothelium-dependent vasodilation of
the retinal vasculature is impaired in hypercholesterolemic patients and that endothelial
function can be improved by AT1-receptor blockade.