Telmisartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, improves coronary microcirculation and insulin resistance among essential hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy.

Hypertension and insulin resistance are associated with reduced coronary vasodilatory capacity, possibly caused by structural changes in the coronary resistance vessels. The goal of this study was to compare the effect of an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) with that of a calcium channel blocker (CCB) on coronary flow reserve and insulin resistance among essential hypertensive patients without left ventricular hypertrophy. A total of 40 consecutive essential hypertensive patients were randomized to daily 40 mg telmisartan or 20 mg nifedipine coat-core treatment.

Noninvasive assessment of coronary stents in patients by 16-slice computed tomography.

Background: The usefulness of thin-slice multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has been highly expected to assess the lumens of coronary artery stents. We evaluated the usefulness of 16-slice MDCT to assess the in-stent lumen after coronary artery stenting.

Methods: In 42 consecutive patients after coronary artery stenting, retrospective ECG-gated CT-angiography using 16-slice MDCT (0.

Ability for visualization, reasons for nonassessable image, and diagnostic accuracy of 16-slice multidetector row helical computed tomography for the assessment of the entire coronary arteries.

It was demonstrated that 16-slice multidetector row helical computed tomography may permit more accurate assessment of entire coronary arteries, with a low rate of arteries unable to be evaluated. The detection of coronary artery stenoses with this modality was applicable to assessable segments.