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