PB2053: PRIMARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN MYELOPROLIFERATIVE NEOPLASMS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Patients diagnosed with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are prone to experience thrombotic events and often experience a high burden of cardiovascular comorbidities. Primary arterial hypertension (HTN) remains one of the most common comorbidities in the elderly. However, the impact of HTN on MPNs is unclear. Aims: Report on the occurrence of HTN in MPNs. Describe its epidemiology, influence on development of thrombosis, HTN treatment strategies. Methods: Systematic search in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and SCOPUS, from the inception of these databases to retrieve relevant English-written articles. Eligibility criteria: 1. Confirmed MPNs diagnosis, 2. Confirmed HTN diagnosis, 3. Studies reported on the epidemiology of HTN in MPNs, impact of HTN on the development of thrombosis or on the therapeutic options used to treat HTN in MPNs. We excluded studies investigating secondary HTN, e.g., drug-induced HTN. Results: The systematic search resulted in 590 potentially relevant manuscripts. After removal of duplicates and screening of abstracts/titles (n=503), 87 manuscripts were selected for full-text review. After applying the eligibility criteria and full-text evaluation, 25 articles were excluded and the remaining 62 were entered into the qualitative/quantitative analysis. HTN emerged as the most common comorbidity in MPNs, affecting 41-63% of primary myelofibrosis (PMF), 40-64% of essential thrombocythemia (ET), 46-90% of polycythemia vera (PV) cases. In PV, the presence of HTN was associated with decreased serum free epinephrine and aldosterone levels, reduced retinal microperfusion, elevated kidney arteries resistance, JAK2-V617F mutation and high-risk PV. In PMF, it was linked with high uric acid concentrations and elevated risk of thrombosis (OR=1.96). PV subjects with HTN were non-dippers, suffered from systolic/diastolic dysfunction as assessed by cardiac ultrasound, displayed elevated cell-free hemoglobin and nitrite/nitrate ratio, and an increased risk of thrombosis (HR=1.77). HTN in ET was associated with overall thrombosis, especially arterial thrombosis (HR=1.91-3.8). The cardio-IPSET score was superior in predicting thrombosis in ET patients with HTN. Individuals with MPNs and HTN exhibited signs of carotid artery injury, end-organ damage, increased albumin-to-creatinine ratio, P-selectin concentrations and were prone to develop kidney dysfunction. Moreover, stroke was more common in MPNs with concomitant HTN (HR=4.24) and HTN was a predictor of ischemic stroke recurrence in MPNs. The risk of thrombosis in MPNs was higher if HTN was also associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, i.e., dyslipidemia, diabetes or smoking. The risk of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis was lower in MPNs with co-occurring HTN. In terms of treatment options for patients with HTN and MPNs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), e.g., lisinopril, and calcium-channel blockers (CCB - nifedipine for hypertensive emergencies) have been successfully used. The recommendation to avoid the use of diuretics in patients with elevated blood viscosity, e.g., PV, remains unaltered. Summary/Conclusion: Our findings suggest that HTN is the most common comorbidity in MPNs and is associated with development of thrombosis, end-organ damage, i.e., retinal and kidney dysfunction. Integration of HTN in the current scores employed to predict the development of thrombosis and stratify MPNs subjects in warranted. Screening for HTN in MPNs is urgently needed. Accurate management strategies based on the use ACEI and CCB need further exploration in MPNs with associated HTN.