Central Aortic Pressure Research Articles

Experience of sacubitril/valsartan therapy in hypertension

The aim of the review was to analyze the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan combination, a representative of a new class of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), in patients with hypertension (HTN) according to clinical trials, including randomized, and meta-analyses. Randomized clinical trials conducted in different age, ethnic and clinical cohorts of HTN patients, as well as meta-analyses showed a more significant antihypertensive effect of sacubitril/valsartan compared with monotherapy with angiotensin II receptor blockers, confirmed by office blood pressure (BP) and 24-hour BP monitoring. At grade 1-2 HTN, sacubitril/valsartan showed greater reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure by ~5/2 mm Hg compared to valsartan or olmesartan according to 8-12-week studies. A dose-dependent effect of sacubitril/valsartan was established. A favorable experience was obtained with sacubitril/ valsartan use in various clinical variants of HTN (refractory HTN, isolated systolic HTN in the elderly, HTN in combination with heart failure, with chronic kidney disease), as well as the successful use of sac/vals in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. In long-term studies (52 weeks) in elderly patients with HTN, the positive effects of sacubitril/valsartan in reducing central aortic pressure, systolic blood pressure at night and a decrease in pulse pressure have been shown. Several meta-analyses have shown similar tolerability profiles compared to controls and no increased risk of adverse events.

Effects of a Mitochondrial Targeted Ubiquinol (MitoQ) on Vascular Function and Exercise Capacity in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Mitochondrial derived oxidative stress is implicated in vascular and skeletal muscle abnormalities in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a mitochondrial targeted ubiquinol (MitoQ) on vascular function and exercise capacity in CKD. In this randomized controlled trial, 18 patients with CKD (Mean±SEM: Age, 62±3years; eGFR, 45±3ml/min/1.732) received 4 weeks of 20mg/day MitoQ (MTQ) or placebo (PLB). Outcomes assessed at baseline and follow up included macrovascular function measured by flow mediated dilation; microvascular function assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry combined with intradermal microdialysis; aortic hemodynamics assessed by oscillometery; and exercise capacity by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Compared to PLB, MTQ improved flow mediated dilation (baseline vs follow up: MTQ, 2.4±0.3 vs. 4.0±0.9%; PLB, 4.2±1.0 vs. 2.5±1.0%; p=0.04). MTQ improved microvascular function (DCVC: MTQ, 4.50 ± 2.57 vs. PLB -2.22 ± 2.67%; p=0.053). Central aortic systolic and pulse pressures were unchanged, however, MTQ prevented increases in augmentation pressures that were observed in the PLB group (p=0.026). MTQ did not affect exercise capacity. This study demonstrates potential for a mitochondrial targeted ubiquinol to improve vascular function in CKD. The findings hold promise for future investigations of mitochondrial targeted therapies in CKD.

Direct estimation of central aortic pressure from measured or quantified mean and diastolic brachial blood pressure: agreement with invasive records.

Recently it has been proposed a new approach to estimate aortic systolic blood pressure (aoSBP) without the need for specific devices, operator-dependent techniques and/or complex wave propagation models/algorithms. The approach proposes aoSBP can be quantified from brachial diastolic and mean blood pressure (bDBP, bMBP) as: aoSBP = bMBP2/bDBP. It remains to be assessed to what extent the method and/or equation used to obtain the bMBP levels considered in aoSBP calculation may affect the estimated aoSBP, and consequently the agreement with aoSBP invasively recorded. Brachial and aortic pressure were simultaneously obtained invasively (catheterization) and non-invasively (brachial oscillometry) in 89 subjects. aoSBP was quantified in seven different ways, using measured (oscillometry-derived) and calculated (six equations) mean blood pressure (MBP) levels. The agreement between invasive and estimated aoSBP was analyzed (Concordance correlation coefficient; Bland-Altman Test). The ability of the equation "aoSBP = MBP2/DBP" to (accurately) estimate (error <5 mmHg) invasive aoSBP depends on the method and equation considered to determine bMBP, and on the aoSBP levels (proportional error). Oscillometric bMBP and/or approaches that consider adjustments for heart rate or a form factor ∼40% (instead of the usual 33%) would be the best way to obtain the bMBP levels to be used to calculate aoSBP.

Comparison of effects of peripheral vasculature on tonometric radial pulse and cuff-based brachial pulse waveform as used in estimation of central aortic pressures.

Aortic pressure estimation requires reliable peripheral pulse waveform acquisition. The peripheral waveform can change with local vascular effects that can be independent of aortic pressure. This study quantifies the effects of peripheral vasculature changes on radial and brachial waveforms. In 20 subjects (37± 15 years, 7 female), brachial volumetric displacement (cuff-based) and radial tonometry waveforms were simultaneously measured whilst a cuff around the hand on the same arm was inflated to induce transmural pressures of -60, -30, -15, 0, 15 and 30 mmHg, altering local peripheral resistance and compliance by graded arterial wall unloading. Aortic blood pressure (BP), augmentation index (AIx) and ejection duration were calculated from the measurements using a generalized transfer function. The parameters under unloaded conditions were compared to baseline measurements. Brachial systolic and diastolic BP did not change throughout the experiment. Altering peripheral resistance and compliance did not significantly change calculated aortic BP values, although changes were nominally greater for radial (maximum +8±1 mmHg) compared to brachial (maximum +2±1 mmHg) waveforms. AIx at 0 mmHg transmural pressure (maximum arterial wall unloading) was higher when derived from radial waveforms (+24±3%, p<0.001) but not when derived from brachial waveforms. Localized changes in peripheral resistance and compliance affect tonometer acquired radial waveforms but not volumetric displacement acquired brachial pressure waveforms, as judged by computed central aortic augmentation pressure parameters. This suggests aortic pressure estimation from the brachial cuff waveform is less sensitive to peripheral vasculature disturbances that alter the peripheral arterial pulse morphology.

Comparison of Central Aortic Pressure between Women with Preeclampsia and Normotensive Postpartum Women from an Urban Region of Western Mexico.

Background and Objectives: Central aortic pressure (CAP) can be measured through noninvasive methods, and CAP wave analysis can provide information about arterial stiffness. The objective of this study was to compare CAP in women with preeclampsia and normotensive postpartum women from an urban region in western Mexico. Materials and Methods: We recruited 78 women in immediate puerperium, including 39 with preeclampsia and 39 with normotension, who received delivery care in our hospital between September 2017 and January 2018. Pulse wave analysis was used to assess central hemodynamics as well as arterial stiffness with an oscillometric device. For this purpose, the measurement of the wave of the left radial artery was obtained with a wrist applanation tonometer and the ascending aortic pressure wave was generated using the accompanying software (V 1.1, Omron, Japan). Additionally, the systolic CAP, diastolic pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate, and rise rate adjusted for a heart rate of 75 bpm were determined. The radial pulse wave was calibrated using the diastolic and mean arterial pressures obtained from the left brachial artery. For all the statistical analyses, we considered p < 0.05 to be significant. Results: The results were as follows: a systolic CAP of 125.40 (SD 15.46) vs. 112.10 (SD 10.12) with p < 0.0001 for women with and without preeclampsia, respectively. Systolic CAP was significantly elevated in women with preeclampsia and could indicate an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: CAP is an important parameter that can be measured in this group of patients and is significantly elevated in women with postpartum preeclampsia, even when the brachial blood pressure is normal.

Effects of two-month treatment with a mixture of natural activators of autophagy on oxidative stress and arterial stiffness in patients with essential hypertension: A pilot study

Background and aimsTrehalose, spermidine, nicotinamide, and polyphenols are natural substances that exert pro-autophagic and antioxidant properties. Their role in blood pressure (BP) regulation and preservation of vascular function in essential hypertension is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a mixture of these agents on BP level, markers of oxidative stress, autophagy, endothelial function, and vascular stiffness in outpatients with grade 1 uncomplicated essential hypertension. Methods and resultsA single-centre, open-label, case–control, pilot study was conducted in adult outpatients (aged ≥18 years) receiving or not the mixture for two months along with the standard therapies. Both at baseline and at the end of the treatment the following clinical parameters were evaluated: brachial seated office BP level, central aortic pressure, pulse wave velocity, augmentation index (AI@75). Both at baseline and at the end of the treatment, a blood sample was drawn for the measurement of: H2O2, HBA%, levels of sNOX2-dp, Atg 5, P62, endothelin 1, and NO bioavailability. The mixture of nutraceuticals did not influence BP levels. Patients receiving the mixture showed a significant decrease of oxidative stress, stimulation of autophagy, increased NO bioavailability and no increase of the AI@75, in contrast to what observed in hypertensive patients not receiving the mixture. ConclusionsThe supplementation of the trehalose, spermidine, nicotinamide, and polyphenols mixture counteracted hypertension-related arterial stiffness through mechanisms likely dependent on oxidative stress downregulation and autophagy stimulation. These natural activators of autophagy may represent favourable adjuvants for prevention of the hypertensive cardiovascular damage.

A study on transfer function to estimate the central aortic blood pressure waveform

Noninvasive measurement of the central aortic blood pressure has become an important technique that has generated a lot of interest around the medicine industry because it can estimate the central aortic blood pressure waveform without inserting a pressure-sensing catheter into the ascending aorta. The accuracy of noninvasive estimation of aortic hemodynamics and cardiac contractility is still debatable in noninvasive measurement of the central aortic blood methods. The objective of this project is to investigate the transfer functions available for converting radial blood pressure waveforms to central aortic blood pressure waveforms. In this project, three different transfer functions will be investigated which are The Generalized Transfer Function, N-Point Moving Average and Adaptive Transfer Function in order to recommend the effective method in terms of accuracy. The study methodology will be conducted through the software MATLAB R2021b. The investigation of these three methods will be conducted with data collected from virtual subjects from the HaeMod database. The Generalized transfer function, N-Point Moving Average and Adaptive Transfer Function will be coded, evaluated, and analyzed as part of the methodology. The determination of the most effective method among the three transfer functions will be attributed according to output comparison of Systolic peak differences, the RMSE and the MAPE between the estimated central aortic blood pressure and the measured central aortic blood pressure.

Central Aortic Blood Pressure Waveform Estimation with a Temporal Convolutional Network.

A novel temporal convolutional network (TCN) model is utilized to reconstruct the central aortic blood pressure (aBP) waveform from the radial blood pressure waveform. The method does not need manual feature extraction as traditional transfer function approaches. The data acquired by the SphygmoCor CVMS device in 1,032 participants as a measured database and a public database of 4,374 virtual healthy subjects were used to compare the accuracy and computational cost of the TCN model with the published convolutional neural network and bi-directional long short-term memory (CNN-BiLSTM) model. The TCN model was compared with CNN-BiLSTM in the root mean square error (RMSE). The TCN model generally outperformed the existing CNN-BiLSTM model in terms of accuracy and computational cost. For the measured and public databases, the RMSE of the waveform using the TCN model was 0.55 ± 0.40 mmHg and 0.84 ± 0.29 mmHg, respectively. The training time of the TCN model was 9.63 min and 25.51 min for the entire training set; the average test time was around 1.79 ms and 8.58 ms per test pulse signal from the measured and public databases, respectively. The TCN model is accurate and fast for processing long input signals, and provides a novel method for measuring the aBP waveform. This method may contribute to the early monitoring and prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Association of time-restricted feeding, arterial age, and arterial stiffness in adults with metabolic syndrome.

Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a kind of intermittent fasting defined as eating and drinking only during a certain number of hours in a day. It has been suggested that intermittent fasting may improve cardiovascular risk factors. This study evaluated the association of TRF and arterial stiffness, using pulse wave velocity (PWV), pulse wave analysis, and arterial age in metabolic syndrome participants. A cohort study was carried out among metabolic syndrome adults who were followed over the Ramadan fasting period (used as a model of TRF since food was only allowed for about 8 h/day). The subjects were divided into Ramadan fasting and Ramadan nonfasting groups. The aortic PWV and central aortic pressure waveform were measured. Central systolic pressure, central pulse pressure, and indices of arterial compliance, such as augmentation pressure and augmentation index (AIx), were determined from waveform analysis. Ninety-five adults (31.57% female, age: 45.46 ± 9.10 years) with metabolic syndrome (based on the International Diabetes Federation definition) participated in this study. Ramadan fasting and Ramadan nonfasting groups were including 80 and 15 individuals respectively. A significant reduction was seen in PWV (0.29 m/s), central systolic pressure (4.03 mmHg), central pulse pressure (2.43 mmHg), central augmentation pressure (1.88 mmHg), and central AIx (2.47) in the Ramadan fasting group (p = 0.014, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.036 respectively). There were no significant changes in these indices among the Ramadan nonfasting group. This study suggested that TRF reduces arterial age and improves arterial stiffness among people with metabolic syndrome. This might be considered a beneficial nutrition strategy for extending healthspan (and perhaps longevity).

868-P: Empagliflozin (EMPA) Improves Vascular Insulin Sensitivity and Enhances Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle Microvascular Perfusion in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) decreased cardiac events in large clinical trials; however, an understanding of the physiology driving this benefit is lacking. To investigate this, we measured micro- and macrovascular insulin sensitivity in 10 adults with T2DM before and after 12 weeks of EMPA 10 mg daily. We also measured endothelial function (FMD), peripheral and central aortic pressures, and skeletal (SM) and cardiac (CM) muscle microvascular perfusion (MBV- microvascular blood volume; MFV-microvascular flow velocity; MBF-microvascular blood flow) before and during a 120 min euglycemic insulin clamp at weeks 0 and 12. We hypothesized that EMPA would diminish micro- and macro-vascular insulin resistance and improve vascular function. At week 0, insulin infusion lowered peripheral SBP (132±6 vs 125±5, p&amp;lt;0.05) but diminished SM perfusion MBV (1.75±0.2 vs 1.29±0.1, p&amp;lt;0.01) MFV (0.08±0.01 vs 0.05±0.01, p&amp;lt;0.001) and MBF (0.14±3 vs 0.07±0.01, p&amp;lt;0.01). After 12 weeks of EMPA, insulin infusion improved FMD (7.6 ± 1.2 vs 8.7 ±1.6%, p &amp;lt;0.03), lowered peripheral SBP (127±6 vs 107±5, p&amp;lt;0.001); DBP (74±4 vs 65±3, p&amp;lt;0.04); MAP (92±3 vs 79±3, p&amp;lt;0.01); and PP (53±5 vs 42±3, p&amp;lt;0.05) as well as aortic SBP (117±5 vs 96±4, p&amp;lt;0.001); DBP (75±4 vs 66±3, p&amp;lt;0.03); MAP (89±3 vs 76±3, p&amp;lt;0.01); and PP (43±4 vs 30±2, p&amp;lt;0.01). In addition, EMPA improved SM perfusion (MBV: 1.29±0.1 vs 2.02±0.3, p&amp;lt;0.02; MFV: 0.05±0.01 vs 0.08±0.01, p&amp;lt;0.02; MBF: 0.07±0.01 vs 0.18±0.04, p&amp;lt;0.03) and CM perfusion (MBV: 4.51±0.6 vs 5.11±0.4, p=0.18; MFV: 0.37±0.04 vs 0.52±0.06, p&amp;lt;0.05; MBF: 1.80±0.4 vs 2.74±0.5, p&amp;lt;0.05). In conclusion, 12 weeks of EMPA in adults with T2D improved endothelial function (FMD), reduced central and peripheral blood pressures, and augmented SM and CM microvascular perfusion in response to insulin. These changes may contribute to the improved CV outcomes seen with SGLT2i therapy. Disclosure L.Jahn: None. L.Hartline: None. K.W.Aylor: None. W.B.Horton: None. E.Barrett: None. Funding National Institutes of Health (1R01HL142250-01A1)

The Role of Two Heart Biomarkers in IgA Nephropathy.

Cardiovascular mortality is a leading cause of death in chronic kidney disease (CKD), as is IgA nephropathy (IgAN). The purpose of this study is to find different biomarkers to estimate the outcome of the disease, which is significantly influenced by the changes in vessels (characterized by arterial stiffness) and the heart. In our cross-sectional study, 90 patients with IgAN were examined. The N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was measured as a heart failure biomarker by an automated immonoassay method, while the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CITP) as a fibrosis marker was determined using ELISA kits. Arterial stiffness was determined by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Renal function and routine echocardiography examinations were performed as well. Based on eGFR, patients were separated into two categories, CKD 1-2 and CKD 3-5. There were significantly higher NT-proBNP (p = 0.035), cfPWV (p = 0.004), and central aortic systolic pressure (p = 0.037), but not CITP, in the CKD 3-5 group. Both biomarker positivities were significantly higher in the CKD 3-5 group (p = 0.035) compared to the CKD 1-2 group. The central aortic systolic pressure was significantly higher in the diastolic dysfunction group (p = 0.034), while the systolic blood pressure was not. eGFR and hemoglobin levels showed a strong negative correlation, while left ventricular mass index (LVMI), aortic pulse pressure, central aortic systolic pressure, and cfPWV showed a positive correlation with NT-proBNP. cfPWV, aortic pulse pressure, and LVMI showed a strong positive correlation with CITP. Only eGFR was an independent predictor of NT-proBNP by linear regression analysis. NT-proBNP and CITP biomarkers may help to identify IgAN patients at high risk for subclinical heart failure and further atherosclerotic disease.

Asociación de la rigidez aórtica con calcificaciones vasculares abdominales y coronarias en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica estadios 3 y 4

Rationale and objectivesIncreased central (aortic) arterial stiffness has hemodynamic repercussions that affect the incidence of cardiovascular and renal disease. In chronic kidney disease (CKD) there may be an increase in aortic stiffness secondary to multiple metabolic alterations including calcification of the vascular wall (VC).The objective of this study was to analyze the association of central aortic pressures and aortic stiffness with the presence of VC in abdominal aorta (AAC) and coronary arteries (CAC). Materials and methodsWe included 87 patients with CKD stage 3 and 4. Using applanation tonometry, central aortic pressures and aortic stiffness were studied. We investigated the association of aortic pulse wave velocity (Pvc-f) and Pvc-f adjusted for age, blood pressure, sex and heart rate (Pvc-f index) with AAC obtained on lumbar lateral radiography and CAC assessed by multidetector computed tomography. AAC and CAC were scored according to Kauppila and Agatston methods, respectively. For the study of the association between iPvc-f index, Kauppila score, Agatston score, central aortic pressures, clinical parameters and laboratory data, multiple and logistic regression were used. We investigated the diagnosis performance of the Pvc-f index for prediction of VC using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC). ResultsPvc-f and Pvc-f index were 11.3±2.6m/s and 10.6m/s, respectively. The Pvc-f index was higher when CKD coexisted with diabetes mellitus (DM). AAC and CAC were detected in 77% and 87%, respectively.Albuminuria (β=0.13, p=0.005) and Kauppila score (β=0.36, p=0.001) were independently associated with Pvc-f index. In turn, Pvc-f index (β=0.39, p=0.001), DM (β=0.46, p=0.01), and smoking (β=0.53; p=0.006) were associated with Kauppila score, but only Pvc-f index predicted AAC [OR: 3.33 (95% CI: 1.6–6.9; p=0.001)].The Kauppila score was independently associated with the Agatston score (β=1.53, p=0.001). The presence of AAC identified patients with CAC with a sensitivity of 73%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 38%.The Vpc-f index predicted the presence of CAC [OR: 3.35 (95% CI: 1.04–10.2, p=0.04)]. In the ROC curves, using the Vpc-f index, the AUC for AAC and CAC was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71–0.93, p=0.001) and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.67–0.96, p=0.02), respectively. ConclusionsWhen stage 3–4 CKD coexists with DM there is an increase in aortic stiffness determined by the Vpc-f index. In stage 3–4 CKD, AAC and CAC are very prevalent and both often coexist. The Vpc-f index is independently associated with AAC and CAC and may be useful in identifying patients with VC in these territories.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ARTERIAL STIFFNESS, SUBCLINICAL HEART FAILURE, CARDIAC FIBROSIS AND RENAL FUNCTION IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE, IGA NEPHROPATHY

Objective: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerular disease worldwide. Arterial stiffness may predict cardiovascular (CV) mortality and morbidity in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Heart failure is very common in advanced CKD stages. Onset of myocardial fibrosis may be a pathophysiological alteration in CKD patients with heart failure. Design and method: In our cross-sectional study, we examined 90 patients who cared for IgAN in our clinic. Arterial stiffness was determined by measuring carotis-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) using the ShygmoCor device. N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CITP) were measured using ELISA kits. Renal function was detected by the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR-CKD-EPI). Furthermore, a routine echocardiography examination was performed. Results: Of the 90 patients included in the study, 50 were male, with a mean age of 54.9 ± 14.4 years. Patients were divided into two groups based on eGFR (CKD 1-2 and CKD 3-5). There were significantly higher NT-proBNP (p = 0.035), cfPWV (p = 0.004), and central aortic systolic pressure (p = 0.037), but not CITP, in the CKD 3-5 group. The number of patients with combined biomarker positivity (NT-proBNP and CITP) was also significantly higher in the CKD3-5 group (p = 0.035) compared to the CKD 1-2 group. The central aortic systolic pressure was significantly higher in the diastolic dysfunction group (p = 0.034), but the systolic blood pressure was not. eGFR and hemoglobin level showed a strong negative correlation, while left ventricular mass index (LVMI), aortic pulse pressure, central aortic systolic pressure, and cfPWV showed a positive correlation with NT-proBNP. cfPWV, aortic pulse pressure, and LVMI showed a strong positive correlation with CITP by Spearman's correlation. Only eGFR was an independent predictor of NT-proBNP by linear regression analysis. Conclusions: A possible mechanism for the development of heart failure in CKD patients may be an elevation of central aortic systolic pressure. NT-proBNP and CITP biomarkers may help to identify IgAN patients at high risk for subclinical heart failure and further atherosclerotic disease.

SEX DIFFERENCES IN PULSE WAVE AND SUBENDOCARDIAL VIABILITY RATIO IN HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Objective: Myocardial ischemia represents the main cause of morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients in both women and men, although some difference in pathophysiology and in the exposure to risk factors may explain the lower global cardiovascular risk of women. Sex differences in the structure and function of the cardiovascular system may affect the aortic pressure wave and the functional balance in myocardial perfusion determined by central aortic pressure, which may lead to myocardial ischemia and type 2 myocardial infarction. Design and method: In a population of 318 treated hypertensive patients (162 females, 156 males) referring to a single Hypertension centre (University of Trieste, Italy), we measured peripheral blood pressure and performed arterial applanation tonometry (PulsePen, DiaTecne, Italy) to determine central blood pressure waveform, aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), pulse wave separation analysis with timing and amplitude of forward (fT, fP) and backward reflected (bT, bP) waves, and the subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), i.e. the ratio between diastolic and systolic pressure-time index, as a risk marker of myocardial ischemia. Results: Despite similar peripheral systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, heart rate and PWV between sexes, females showed a longer forward pressure wave duration (119.8±38.6 vs 105.0±30.4 ms, p&lt;0.0001) and lower amplitude (52.7±19,4 vs 57.1±19.3 mmHg, p = 0.039) compared to males. Backward pressure waved were similar in timing and amplitude between males and females. The difference in forward wave caused a marked higher AIx (19.5±12.4 vs 11.9±14.9, p&lt;0.0001) and a lower SEVR (101.6±24.4 vs 108.5±27.7, p = 0.018) in women compared to men. Conclusions: Hypertensive women and men showed significant differences in forward pressure wave, causing a significant increase in AIx and a decreased SEVR in women compared to men. This may have important implications in sex-specific risk and myocardial ischemia.

PRETERM BIRTH IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED CENTRAL SYSTOLIC PRESSURE IN PRIMARY HYPERTENSION - SINGLE CENTER EXPERIENCE

Objective: Preterm birth (PB) and lower birth weight (LBW) are associated with higher risk for hyprtension, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Our aim In this study was to analyze the association of PB and LBW with the parameters of arterial stiffness obtained during 24h measurement, with special focus on parameters of central hemodynamic (central aortic pressure). Design and method: In this study we included 154 adult patients (mean age 32, predominantly women (69.5%) with primary hypertension. In all of them we collected the data about term of birth and birth weight, and different antropological paramaters were measured. We determined various different laboratory data. Parameters of arterial stifness were measured in the office using Sphygmocor, and during the 24h using Mobil-o-Graph and Arteriograph. Results: In the whole group, 39 patients (25.5%) were born before the term. The corellation between pulse wave velocity (measured in office ambulatory during 24h) and term of birth was not found. The term of birth had low negative and statistically significant correlations with systolic central aortic pressure measured by Arteriograph during the night (r = -0.164, p &lt; 0.05), as well as measured by Mobil-o-Graph during 24h (r = -0.167, p &lt; 0.05), day (r = -0.172, p &lt; 0.05) and night (r = -0.186, p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that preterm born is associated with increased systolic aortic pressure. We found this association fot the night time using two different devices. It could be speculated that this association might contribute to the global CV and kidney risk in subjects born before term. Further results are needed to answer whether ambulatory measurement of central hemodynamics have clinical importance.

ARTERIAL WALL CONDITION IN WOMEN WITH HYPERTENSION AND POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROSIS

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the indices of arterial stiffness and central aortic pressure in women with hypertension in combination with osteoporosis. Design and method: The study included 68 females (mean age 62.7±3.8 years) with hypertension, grade 2 in postmenopause including 35 females with osteoporosis (group 1) and 33 females without signs of osteoporosis (group 2) according to osteodensitometry investigation. The control group consisted of 20 healthy females (mean age 61.3±3.5 years). Before the study, the patients did not receive regular antihypertensive drugs and hormone replacement therapy. In addition to conventional studies the levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, deoxypyridinoline, parathyroid hormone, 25(OH) vitamin D, osteocalcin, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen in blood were determined. Fracture risk assessment (FRAX), daily blood pressure monitoring, applanation tonometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were performed. Results: It was found that in group 1 the levels of office systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were 3.7% and 4.9% (p&lt;0.05) higher than in group 2. According to the data of daily BP monitoring a more pronounced increase of mean daily SBP and DBP by 4.1% and 6.6% (p&lt;0.05) was observed in group 1 in comparison to group 2. Indicators of pressure load according to the time index of hypertension by SBP and DBP were significantly higher by 21.7% and 25.4% during the day and 22% and 18.2% at night (all p&lt;0.05). In patients of group 1 an increase in the aortic augmentation index of wave reflection (Aix) and the augmentation index of wave reflection, adjusted for heart rate (AIx @ HR 75) by 26.6% and 29.8% compared to patients of group 2 respectively, was revealed. It was found that in group 1, compared with the control group and group 2, an increase in pulse wave velocity by 37.2% and 26.4% respectively was detected. Conclusions: It was found that in patients with hypertension in combination with postmenopausal osteoporosis, according to office, daily monitoring and applanation tonometry, blood pressure levels and arterial stiffness parameters were significantly higher than in patients with hypertension without osteoporosis.

ASSOCIATION OF CAROTID-FEMORAL PULSE WAVE VELOCITY AND RISK THRESHOLDS OF INDEX OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (ASCVD) IN HYPERTENSION

Objective: As index of arterial stiffness, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) is strongly associated with cardiovascular risk. This study aimed to assess association of cfPWV and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a Chinese hypertensive cohort and determine the cfPWV threshold value for assessment of future risk of CVD. Design and method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in hospital in-patients with multiple CVD risk factors or complications due to target organ damage. cfPWV was measured with the Complior device (Alam Medical, France) and central aortic pressure (cAP) with the SphygmoCor device (AtCor Medical [CardieX], Sydney) giving cAP indices: augmented pressure (AP), augmentation index (Aix), aortic pulse pressure, (aPP) aortic systolic pressure (aSBP). Framingham Risk Scores (FRS) were computed for all participants. Criteria specified by American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association were used to calculate atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk scores. Patients were stratified by ASCVD risk threshold of 10% and divided into two groups: ASCVD &gt;10% or ASCVD&lt;10%. cfPWV cut-off value associated with or without ASCVD risk was obtained by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Results: All participants (n = 630; age 63.6 ± 8.6 years, 61.7% male) had primary hypertension. aAP, AIx, aPP, aSBP and were greater in females than in males (p &lt; 0.001); ASCVD risk scores and brachial diastolic pressure (DBP) were higher in males (p&lt;0.05). All hemodynamic indices showed significant correlation with ASCVD and FRS, except for AIx with no correlation with ASCVD. In multivariate logistic analysis, cfPWV was significantly associated with ASCVD risk (OR: 1.324, [1.119–1.565], p &lt; 0.001) after adjusting for age, gender, smoking, body mass index, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, antihypertensive treatment, statin treatment, DBP. Area under the ROC curve was 0.758 and 0.672 for cfPWV and aortic SBP (p &lt; 0.001 and p &lt; 0.001, respectively); the critical value of cfPWV and aSBP was 12.5 m/s (sensitivity 63.2%; specificity: 77.8%) and 124.5 mmHg (sensitivity 63.9%; specificity: 65.3%). cfPWV significantly correlated with the ASCVD risk. Conclusions: The optimal cut-off value of cfPWV for assessing future CVD risk in the hypertensive population in China is 12.5 m/s.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERTENSIVE DISEASE IN YOUTH WITH NORMAL SYSTOLIC AND DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS

Objective: Hypertensive cardiovascular disease can develop functional and/or structural organ damage by the increase of the volume/pressure and arterial stiffness, even before the current cut-off level of the systolic/diastolic blood pressure. The aim of this study was to evaluate in a young population with normal blood pressure levels if they presented any cardiovascular risk factors, arterial stiffness, signs, and symptoms of hypertensive disease. Design and method: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study developed between the years 2007/2022 from 9,600 non-invasive applanation tonometry, females-males 200-103 were entered, with an age range of 18 and 30 years old, and an average age of 24 years. Patients made their first cardiology visit without a previous diagnosis of arterial hypertension or decompensated associated diseases with a blood pressure not higher than 130/80 mmHg. Anthropological data, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were registered. Central Haemodynamics Parameters were measured with a SphygmoCor-PVX device (AtCor, Australia), a validated system employing the high-fidelity technique of applanation tonometry according to established protocols. Results: The average systolic/diastolic blood pressure among female-male was 112.9/72.4 mmHg-119.8/73.9 mmHg, respectively. Also, the Central Aortic Pressure in the female-male groups was 100.0 mmHg/103.7 mmHg, while the maximum values are 101.5 mmHg/106.0 mmHg, but the differences between the observed values and the normal levels of the Augmentation Index (a surrogate measure of arterial stiffness) were higher than normal in female-male 3.6%-4.6% indicating an incipient arterial stiffness. Into the female-male groups, were observed hyperlipidemia 10%-10%, smoking 26%-20%, minimal-mitral regurgitation 5%-8%, headache 46%-26%, palpitations 33%-25%, asthenia 22%-14%, sweating 9%-14%, and chest-pain 16%-27%, respectively. The percentage of women who had a history the polycystic ovarian syndrome was 19%, and the women in current or former estrogen-progesterone therapy were 17%-12%, respectively. Among the female-male groups that do not register any risk factor, symptoms, signs, or arterial stiffness were 8.5%-10%. Conclusions: In young people with normal blood pressure values, it is important to know the risk factors, symptoms, signs, and arterial stiffness of hypertensive disease for early diagnosis and to be able to optimize the time to start therapy.

Accuracy of Estimated Central Systolic Blood Pressure and Augmentation Index in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

It has been suggested that transfer functions to estimate central aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) and central BP waveform parameters (i.e., augmentation index) may be less accurate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, these observations have not been confirmed in a large sample, which was the aim of this study. Consecutive patients with and without T2DM undergoing coronary angiography at the Royal Hobart Hospital had BP recorded at the ascending aorta and radial artery with a fluid-filled catheter. Radial BP waveforms were processed using the SphygmoCor Cardiovascular Management System (CVMS) transfer function (AtCor, Sydney) to estimate central BP. Two invasive waveform calibration methods were used: 1) aortic mean arterial pressure/diastolic BP (MAP/DBP); and 2) radial SBP and DBP (SBP/DBP). between-group analyses were performed unadjusted and adjusted for age, sex, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, body mass index, and coronary artery disease. Data from 64 patients with T2DM (61±11 years, 73% male) and 186 patients without T2DM (62±8 years, 70% male) were analysed. There was no difference in the accuracy of estimated central SBP between groups when compared with invasive aortic SBP from MAP/DBP calibration (T2DM –1.8±6 mmHg vs –1.1±5 mmHg; p=0.37; adjusted p=0.59) or radial SBP/DBP calibration (T2DM –1.2±9 mmHg vs –2.0±9 mmHg; p=0.57; adjusted p=0.66). Augmentation index was not significantly different between patients with and without T2DM 0.8±12% vs 3.7±14%; p=0.13, respectively). Estimated central SBP and augmentation index do not appear to be less accurate in patients with T2DM when waveforms are calibrated with invasive BP.

EFFICACY OF BETA-BLOCKERS ON BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL, MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY ENDPOINTS IN HYPERTENSIVES OF AFRICAN ANCESTRY: AN INDIVIDUAL PATIENT DATA META-ANALYSIS

Objective: Beta-blockers have been reported to sub-optimally lower central aortic blood pressure and cause an increased stroke incidence. There is a paucity of data regarding beta-blocker efficacy in patients of African origin. We proposed that an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) focusing on the efficacy of traditional and second or third-generation beta-blockers (STGBBs) in the whole and African hypertensive population may provide new insights. Design and method: A single-stage IPD-MA analysed the efficacy of STGBBs in the setting of other anti-hypertensives for lowering mean arterial pressure (MAP) and reducing the occurrence of composite outcome (total cardiovascular mortality, stroke and myocardial infarction). Results: A total of 11860 participants were included in the analysis, of which 3864 (32.5%) were on STGBB. STGBBs reduced the MAP by 1.75 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16 - 2.33; p&lt;0.001) in the whole population and by 1.93 mmHg (95% CI: 0.86 - 3.00; p&lt;0.001) in 3880 African hypertensives, outperforming angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) in the whole population studied and ACE-I and calcium channel blockers in the African population. Confounding through beta-blocker use in established cardiovascular disease resulted in STGBBs being associated with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.33 (95 % CI: 1.06 - 1.65; p = 0.015) of the composite outcome while controlling for age, gender, race and smoking history. STGBBs were not associated with an increase in the odds of stroke in African hypertensives nor the whole population. Conclusions: STGBBs reduced the MAP comparably to other anti-hypertensives. No increase in the odds of stroke was found.