Postoperative systemic arterial hypertension in infants with congenital heart diseases: prevalence and risk factors
To determine the prevalence rate and risk factors for systemic arterial hypertension in infants with congenital heart diseases.
Ventricular-arterial coupling: changes with ageing and implications across cardiovascular conditions
Ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) is a crucial concept in cardiovascular physiology, representing the dynamic interaction between the left ventricle and the arterial system. This comprehensive literature review explores the changes in VAC with ageing and various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Validating the accuracy of Omron J760 electronic blood pressure monitor in the general population according to AAMI/ESH/ISO (ISO 81060-2:2018) + AMD1:2020
The accuracy of the Omron J760 electronic blood pressure (BP) monitor for upper arm BP measurement in the adult general population was validated following the AAMI/ESH/ISO (ISO 81060-2:2018) + Amd1:2020 protocol. We expect that this device can be used for home blood pressure monitoring, with its measurements serving as a clinical reference.
More Intensive Versus Conservative Blood Pressure Lowering after Endovascular Therapy in Stroke: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
BackgroundThe optimum systolic blood pressure after endovascular thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke is uncertain. We aimed to perform an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of more intensive blood pressure management as compared to less intensive blood pressure management.MethodsWe searched various electronic databases including Embase, MEDLINE (via PubMed), and CENTRAL to retrieve relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the clinical effects of more intensive blood pressure management after endovascular thrombectomy as compared to the less intensive management. We assessed the risk of bias using the revised Cochrane "Risk of bias" tool for randomized trials (RoB 2.0), calculated odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for dichotomous outcomes.ResultsOur meta-analysis included 4 RCTs with a total of 1560 patients. According to our analysis, more intensive blood pressure management (<140 mmHg) was associated with a statistically significant decrease in the number of patients showing functional independence (modified Rankin scale mRS score = 0-2) at 90 days (OR 0.69; CI = 0.51-0.94; I = 44%). Regarding 90-day mortality, our pooled results from three RCTs showed no statistically significant difference between the more intensive blood pressure management group and the less intensive blood pressure management group (140-180 mmHg) (OR 1.21; CI = 0.89-1.65; I = 0%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (OR 1.09; CI = 0.85-1.39; I = 0%) and the incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) (OR 1.11; CI = 0.75-1.65; I = 0%).ConclusionAccording to our meta-analysis, the intensive blood pressure lowering group was associated with a lower number of patients showing functional independence at 90 days We found no benefit of the intensive lowering of blood pressure on mortality rates and incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage as compared to the conservative BP management. Future large-scale trials should focus on other interventions to improve prognosis in these patients.
Intradialytic Hypotension Pathophysiology and Therapy Update: Review and Update
BackgroundIntradialytic hypotension (IDH) is the most prevalent complication during hemodialysis (HD) sessions, affecting 10% to 12% of patients. It is linked with temporary ischemic stress in vital organs, increasing patient mortality. Various definitions of IDH have been proposed, and a strong correlation has been found between patient outcomes and the absolute lowest systolic blood pressure. The most probable underlying pathophysiology of IDH involves a reduced effective blood volume and decreased plasma tonicity. Optimizing the dialysis prescription and interventions during and after the dialysis session is sometimes effective for reducing IDH risk.Aim and MethodThis review discusses the pathophysiology, prevention, and therapy of IDH updates. To achieve this aim, Scopus, EMBASE, PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar were searched for articles published in the last two decades using phrases and keywords.ConclusionIntradialytic pathophysiology is ambiguous and unclear. The evidence for the effectiveness of the known therapies and maneuvers is limited. Ideally, IDH prevention should be the target; however, IDH management is sometimes needed. Different obstacles require further clinical research.
A randomised trial comparing usual versus strict home blood pressure control in elderly patients with hypertension: protocol and initial progress
. The optimal level of home blood pressure (HBP) for the prevention of cardiovascular complications is unknown. The Home Blood Pressure Intervention in the Community Trial (HomeBP, [NCT05858944]) is addressing this issue by randomising elderly hypertensive patients to standard or tight HBP control.. HomeBP is an investigator-initiated randomised clinical trial with open design and blinded endpoint evaluation. Eligible patients of either sex, aged 60-80 years, having uncontrolled home hypertension (≥135/85 mm Hg) after medication for at least 2 weeks will be recruited nationwide in China at up to 200 community healthcare centres. After stratification for centre and the presence of office hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg), 10,000 patients will be randomised in a 1:1 proportion to a target HBP of 125-134/75-84 mm Hg or <125/75 mm Hg and followed up for 4 years. The primary outcome is a composite of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, coronary revascularisation, unstable angina pectoris or heart failure requiring hospitalisation, and non-fatal stroke. Follow-up visits are scheduled monthly for 3 months after randomisation and 3monthly thereafter. Patients record HBP for 7 consecutive days before every visit. A unique feature of the trial is the information technology setup, allowing the secure and instantaneous flow of HBP and other data to the study coordinating centre, where a standardised HBP report is generated. Hypertension specialists at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai and at local tertiary hospitals provide treatment recommendations, which are transmitted to the caregivers at the community centres, who then fine-tune the treatment recommendations in a shared decision process with the patients to meet the values and clinical needs of the patients. Currently, 2281 patients have been randomised with no between-group differences in the baseline characteristics. URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT05858944.
Endothelin-1- and acetylcholine-mediated effects in human and rat vessels: impact of perivascular adipose tissue, diabetes, angiotensin II, and chemerin
To study the role of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in the reactivity of rat and human vessels.
Office BP measurement using conical cuffs in children and adolescents with obesity
Findings from adult studies suggest that tronco-conical cuffs provide more accurate blood pressure (BP) measurements in individuals with obesity. The aim of the present study was to examine differences in office blood pressure (BP) levels using conical cuffs compared to standard-shaped cylindrical cuffs in children and adolescents with obesity.
A sham-controlled randomised pilot trial on baroreflex activation therapy in patients with resistant hypertension: What will the future hold?
HyperChildNET COST Action CA19115: report of the task force
Despite dramatic medical advances over the last few decades, cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death globally. High BP is clearly established, but modifiable, risk factor for early disability and death. Although most of the adverse outcomes occur in adulthood it has become clear that high BP is a life course problem that can become evident in early life however, relatively little attention has been paid to the problem of high BP in children and adolescents. Being aware of the problem and the needs, the Task Force of the ESH Guidelines in children and adolescents took the initiative to move forward in the field, identifying the COST Action program. A proposal, HyperChildNET, was submitted, approved and funded for 4 years starting in October 2020. The aim of the Action has been to establish a European sustainable and multidisciplinary network of researchers, clinicians, early career investigators, health economists, decision-makers, regulatory bodies, and medical devices manufacturers under the umbrella of the European Commission in order to acquire a holistic understanding of those factors affecting high BP in children and adolescents in order to propose and implement preventive and corrective actions. All the activities carried out during the 4 years are described. HyperChildNET offers a European perspective of the issue giving us the opportunity to develop new strategies and objectives moving forward in the field.
Evaluation of self-monitoring of blood pressure in the PERHIT study and the impact on glomerular function
Although intensive blood pressure (BP) control has not been shown to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), intensive BP control has been shown to reduce the risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the CKD population. The aim of this post-hoc study was to study the interplay between a self-monitoring BP system and glomerular function.
Cuff-based blood pressure measurement: challenges and solutions
Accurate measurement of arterial blood pressure (BP) is crucial for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of hypertension. This narrative review highlights the challenges associated with conventional (cuff-based) BP measurement and potential solutions. This work covers each method of cuff-based BP measurement, as well as cuffless alternatives, but is primarily focused on ambulatory BP monitoring.
Should treatment of 'elevated' blood pressure, especially in older people, be based on global risk estimation?
Genetics of hypertension-related sex differences and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Hypertension and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) cause a significant burden of disease on societies and individuals by increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Environmental risk factors alone do not explain the observed sexual dimorphism in lifetime blood pressure (BP) trajectories nor inter-individual variation in HDP risk. In this short review, we focus on the genetics of hypertension-related sex differences and HDP and discuss the importance of genetics utilization for sex-specific hypertension risk prediction. Population and twin studies estimate that 28-66% of variation in BP levels and HDP is explained by genetic variation, while genomic wide association studies suggest that BP traits and HDP partly share a common genetic background. Moreover, environmental and epigenetic regulation of these genes differ by sex and oestrogen receptors in particular are shown to convey cardio- and vasculoprotective effects through epigenetic regulation of DNA. The majority of known genetic variation in hypertension and HDP is polygenic. Polygenic risk scores for BP display stronger associations with hypertension risk in women than in men and are associated with sex-specific age of hypertension onset. Monogenic forms of hypertension are rare and mostly present equally in both sexes. Despite recent genetic discoveries providing new insights into HDP and sex differences in BP traits, further research is needed to elucidate the underlying biology. Emphasis should be placed on demonstrating the added clinical value of these genetic discoveries, which may eventually facilitate genomics-based personalized treatments for hypertension and HDP.
Hypertension and its correlation with autonomic nervous system dysfunction, heart rate variability and chronic inflammation
This study investigates the relationship between hypertension, dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, heart rate variability (HRV), and chronic inflammation.
Aprocitentan: a new emerging prospect in the pharmacotherapy of hypertension
Resistant hypertension (RH) is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular events and there remains an unmet therapeutic need driven by pathophysiologic pathways unaddressed by guideline-recommended therapy. Whilst spironolactone is considered the preferred fourth-line therapy, its broad application is limited by its safety profile. Aprocitentan is a novel dual endothelin (ET) A and B receptors antagonist that has been recently approved by the FDA.
Aortic arterial stiffness associates with carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaques in younger middle-aged healthy people
Aortic stiffness, assessed as estimated aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) are markers of vascular age, and carotid plaques are a marker of early atherosclerosis. In this cross-sectional study we aimed to investigate the association between aPWV, cIMT and plaques across different age groups and in women and men, in a middle-aged healthy population.
Lowering of systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients: insights and questions from the ESPRIT study
Sleeping habits and aortic stiffness in middle-aged men and women from the general population: insights from the SCAPIS study
The relationship between sleeping habits and aortic stiffness remains inconclusive and is not fully explored in the European general population.