Efficacy of Valsartan vs. Perindopril in pulmonary hypertension and endothelial function control in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: The purpose of this study was evaluation of efficacy of angiotensin-II receptor blocker Valsartan (V) and angiotensin converting enzime inhibitor (ACE) Perindopril (P) in pulmonary hypertension(PH) and endothelial function (EF) control in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Material and methods: There were investigated 31 patients (mean age 52,5±4,14 years), with moderate to severe forms of COPD - initial and after 5 weeks of treatment with V(mean dose 54,5±15,4 mg once-daily) and 31 pacientscu P (mean dose 2,9±1,5 mg), using standard ECG, EcoCG with Doppler, spirometry and ultrasound Duplex (for EF estimation). Results: There were not detected any negative changes on bronchial permeability after treatment with V and P. Considerable significant improvement of endothelial function in parallel with considerable decreasing of pulmonary artery systolic and mean pressure in response to V and P administration were noticed. Conclusions: Thus, V and P are well-tolerated and high effective in PH and EF control in patients with moderate to severe forms of COPD (p=0,002-0,032).