Clinic Systolic Blood Pressure Research Articles

Effects of Lifestyle Modification on Patients With Resistant Hypertension: Results of the TRIUMPH Randomized Clinical Trial.

Although lifestyle modifications generally are effective in lowering blood pressure (BP) among patients with unmedicated hypertension and in those treated with 1 or 2 antihypertensive agents, the value of exercise and diet for lowering BP in patients with resistant hypertension is unknown. One hundred forty patients with resistant hypertension (mean age, 63 years; 48% female; 59% Black; 31% with diabetes; 21% with chronic kidney disease) were randomly assigned to a 4-month program of lifestyle modification (C-LIFE [Center-Based Lifestyle Intervention]) including dietary counseling, behavioral weight management, and exercise, or a single counseling session providing SEPA (Standardized Education and Physician Advice). The primary end point was clinic systolic BP; secondary end points included 24-hour ambulatory BP and select cardiovascular disease biomarkers including baroreflex sensitivity to quantify the influence of the baroreflex on heart rate, high-frequency heart rate variability to assess vagally mediated modulation of heart rate, flow-mediated dilation to evaluate endothelial function, pulse wave velocity to assess arterial stiffness, and left ventricular mass to characterize left ventricular structure. Between-group comparisons revealed that the reduction in clinic systolic BP was greater in C-LIFE (-12.5 [95% CI, -14.9 to -10.2] mm Hg) compared with SEPA(-7.1 [-95% CI, 10.4 to -3.7] mm Hg) (P=0.005); 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP also was reduced in C-LIFE (-7.0 [95% CI, -8.5 to -4.0] mm Hg), with no change in SEPA (-0.3 [95% CI, -4.0 to 3.4] mm Hg) (P=0.001). Compared with SEPA, C-LIFE resulted in greater improvements in resting baroreflex sensitivity (2.3 ms/mm Hg [95% CI, 1.3 to 3.3] versus -1.1 ms/mm Hg [95% CI, -2.5 to 0.3]; P<0.001), high-frequency heart rate variability (0.4 ln ms2 [95% CI, 0.2 to 0.6] versus -0.2 ln ms2 [95% CI, -0.5 to 0.1]; P<0.001), and flow-mediated dilation (0.3% [95% CI, -0.3 to 1.0] versus -1.4% [95% CI, -2.5 to -0.3]; P=0.022). There were no between-group differences in pulse wave velocity (P=0.958) or left ventricular mass (P=0.596). Diet and exercise can lower BP in patients with resistant hypertension. A 4-month structured program of diet and exercise as adjunctive therapy delivered in a cardiac rehabilitation setting results in significant reductions in clinic and ambulatory BP and improvement in selected cardiovascular disease biomarkers. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT02342808.

Abstract P190: Antihypertensive Treatment Improves Left Ventricular Geometry After 10 Years Even In Elderly Hypertensive Patients

Introduction: Both ageing and high blood pressure (BP) is associated with a risk of left ventricular hypertrophy; therefore, it is unclear whether antihypertensive treatment for 10 years period reduce cardiac hypertrophy and concentricity beyond the impact of ageing. We assessed the hypothesis that even in elderly patients, BP reduction is effective for left ventricular remodeling. Methods: Among 558 hypertensive patients without concurrent heart disease referred to a cardiology clinic who underwent echocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, 151 patients’ data of echocardiography was available after 10 years of follow up period. We evaluated the relation among BP at baseline, antihypertensive medications, and change in echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular geometry. Results: Mean age was 70.8±8.2 years at baseline. 24-hour BP was 127.4±16.4/71.4±9.6mmHg, awake BP was 129.9±17.1/72.4±10.2mmHg, and asleep BP was 122.5±16.9/67.1±9.1 mmHg. After 10 years (mean age 81.0±9.0 years), number of antihypertensive increased from 1.3±1.2 to 2.0±1.1. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) insignificantly decreased from 115.7 to 98.7mg/m 2 (p=0.167)and relative wall thickness (RWT) significantly decreased from 0.51 to 0.47(p&lt;0.001). There were 12% of patients with normal left ventricular geometry (N), 52% with concentric remodeling (CR), 9% with eccentric hypertrophy (EH), and 27% with concentric hypertrophy (CH) at baseline. Among patients with N or CR at baseline, those who developed to CH or EH had higher night time systolic BP (126.5±17.0 vs 118.9 ±15.4, p=0.037) than those who did not. Neither number nor type of antihypertensive was related to this geometry change. In logistic regression analysis, night time systolic BP was significantly related to the progression of hypertrophy adjusting for age, sex, BMI, LVMI, RWT, and clinic systolic BP at baseline (p=0.04). Conclusions: Even in elderly hypertensive patients, antihypertensive treatment for 10 years improved LV geometry in spite of ageing. Nighttime BP at baseline predicted worsening of LV geometry after 10 years beyond clinic BP.

Associations of High-Sensitivity Troponin and Natriuretic Peptide Levels With Outcomes After Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering

Elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hscTnT) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) levels are associated with risk of heart failure (HF) and mortality among individuals in the general population. However, it is unknown if this risk is modifiable. To test the hypothesis that elevated hscTnT and NTproBNP levels would identify individuals with the greatest risk for mortality and HF and the largest benefit associated with intensive systolic blood pressure (SBP) lowering. This is a nonprespecified post hoc analysis of the multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT), conducted from October 20, 2010, to August 20, 2015. A total of 9361 patients without diabetes with increased risk for cardiovascular disease were randomized to receive intensive vs standard SBP lowering. Statistical analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis from September 30, 2019, to July 29, 2021. Participants were randomized to undergo intensive (<120 mm Hg) or standard (<140 mm Hg) SBP lowering. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin T and NTproBNP levels were measured from stored specimens collected at enrollment, with elevated levels defined as 14 ng/L or more for hscTnT (to convert to micrograms per liter, multiply by 0.001) and 125 pg/mL or more for NTproBNP (to convert to nanograms per liter, multiply by 1.0). The primary outcome of this ancillary study was HF and mortality. Of the 9361 participants enrolled in SPRINT, 8828 (5578 men [63.2%]; mean [SD] age, 68.0 [9.5] years) had measured hscTnT levels and 8836 (5585 men [63.2%]; mean [SD] age, 68.0 [9.5] years) had measured NTproBNP levels; 2262 of 8828 patients (25.6%) had elevated hscTnT levels, 3371 of 8836 patients (38.2%) had elevated NTproBNP, and 1411 of 8828 patients (16.0%) had both levels elevated. Randomization to the intensive SBP group led to a 4.9% (95% CI, 1.7%-7.5%) absolute risk reduction (ARR) over 4 years in death and HF (421 events) for those with elevated hscTnT and a 1.7% (95% CI, 0.7%-2.5%) ARR for those without elevated levels. Similarly, for those with elevated NTproBNP, the ARR for death and HF over 4 years was 4.6% (95% CI, 2.3%-6.5%) vs 1.8% (95% CI, 0.9%-2.5%) in those without elevated levels. For those with elevated levels of both biomarkers, the ARR for death and HF over 4 years was 7.8% (95% CI, 3.3%-11.3%) vs 1.7% (95% CI, 0.8%-2.3%) in those with neither biomarker elevated. No significant treatment group by biomarker category interactions were detected. Intensive SBP control led to large absolute differences in death and HF among patients with abnormal hscTnT and NTproBNP levels. These findings demonstrate that risk associated with elevation of these biomarkers is modifiable with intensive BP control. A prospective, randomized clinical trial is needed to evaluate whether these biomarkers may help guide selection of patients for intensive SBP lowering. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01206062.

Blood Pressure Response in Miners Exposed to Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia in Chile.

Introduction: Limited information is available on blood pressure (BP) behavior in workers exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), and even less is known regarding effects of CIH on 24-h ambulatory BP in those affected by arterial hypertension at sea level (SL). The aims of this study were to assess clinic and 24-h ambulatory BP at SL and at high altitude (HA; 3,870 m above SL) in workers exposed to CIH, and to compare BP response to HA exposure between normotensive and hypertensive workers.Methods: Nineteen normotensive and 18 pharmacologically treated hypertensive miners acclimatized to CIH were included, whose work was organized according to a “7 days-on−7 days-off” shift pattern between SL and HA. All measurements were performed on the second and seventh day of their HA shift and after the second day of SL sojourn.Results: Compared to SL, 24-h systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) increased at HA [+14.7 ± 12.6 mmHg (p < 0.001) and +8.7 ± 7.2 mmHg (p < 0.001), respectively], and SBP nocturnal fall decreased consistently (−4.1 ± 9.8%; p < 0.05) in all participants, with hypertensives showing higher nocturnal DBP than normotensives (p < 0.05) despite the current therapy. Also, heart rate (HR) nocturnal fall tended to be reduced at HA. In addition, the 24-h SBP/DBP hypertension threshold of ≥130/80 mmHg was exceeded by 39% of workers at SL and by 89% at HA. Clinic HR, SBP, and DBP were significantly higher on the second day of work at HA compared with SL, the increase being more pronounced for SBP in hypertensives (p < 0.05) and accompanied by, on average, mild altitude sickness in both groups. These symptoms and the values of all cardiovascular variables decreased on the seventh day at HA (p < 0.05) regardless of CIH exposure duration.Conclusion: Long history of work at HA according to scheduled CIH did not prevent the occurrence of acute cardiovascular changes at HA during the first days of exposure. The BP response to HA tended to be more pronounced in hypertensive than in normotensive workers despite being already treated; the BP changes were more evident for 24-h ambulatory BP. Twenty-four-hour ABP monitoring is a useful tool for an appropriate evaluation of BP in CIH workers.

Randomized Trial on the Effects of Dietary Potassium on Blood Pressure and Serum Potassium Levels in Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease.

In the general population, an increased potassium (K) intake lowers blood pressure (BP). The effects of K have not been well-studied in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This randomized feeding trial with a 2-period crossover design compared the effects of diets containing 100 and 40 mmol K/day on BP in 29 adults with stage 3 CKD and treated or untreated systolic BP (SBP) 120–159 mmHg and diastolic BP (DBP) <100 mmHg. The primary outcome was 24 h ambulatory systolic BP. The higher-versus lower-K diet had no significant effect on 24 h SBP (−2.12 mm Hg; p = 0.16) and DBP (−0.70 mm Hg; p = 0.44). Corresponding differences in clinic BP were −4.21 mm Hg for SBP (p = 0.054) and −0.08 mm Hg for DBP (p = 0.94). On the higher-K diet, mean serum K increased by 0.21 mmol/L (p = 0.003) compared to the lower-K diet; two participants had confirmed hyperkalemia (serum K ≥ 5.5 mmol/L). In conclusion, a higher dietary intake of K did not lower 24 h SBP, while clinic SBP reduction was of borderline statistical significance. Additional trials are warranted to understand the health effects of increased K intake in individuals with CKD.

The Relation of Clinic and Ambulatory BP with the Risk of Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality among Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis.

Large observational studies showed a U-shaped association of clinic blood pressure (BP) with mortality among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Whether ambulatory BP provides a more direct risk signal in this population remains unknown. In a prospective cohort of 108 PD patients, standardized clinic BP was recorded at baseline with the validated device HEM-705 (Omron, Healthcare, Bannockburn, IL, USA) and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring was performed using the Mobil-O-Graph monitor (IEM, Stolberg, Germany). Over a median follow-up of 16 months (interquartile range: 19 months), 47.2% of the overall population reached the composite outcome of non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or all-cause death. In Cox-regression analysis, systolic but not diastolic BP was prognostically informative. Compared with the reference quartile 1 of 24-h systolic BP (SBP), the multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio for the composite outcome was 1.098 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.434–2.777) in quartile 2, 1.004 (95% CI: 0.382–2.235) in quartile 3 and 2.449 (95% CI: 1.156–5.190) in quartile 4. In contrast, no such association was observed between increasing quartiles of clinic SBP and composite outcome. The present study shows that among PD patients, increasing ambulatory SBP is independently associated with higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events and mortality, providing superior prognostic information than standardized clinic SBP.

Effectiveness of statin intensive therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus with high visit-to-visit blood pressure variability.

Intensive lipid-lowering therapy is recommended in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with target organ damage. However, the evidence is insufficient to stratify the patients who will benefit from the intensive therapy among them. High visit-to-visit variability in systolic blood pressure (SBP) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. We investigated the effectiveness of intensive versus standard statin therapy in the primary prevention of cardiovascular events among T2DM patients with retinopathy stratified by visit-to-visit SBP variability. The standard versus intensive statin therapy for hypercholesterolemic patients with diabetic retinopathy study was the first trial comparing statin intensive therapy targeting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) <70 mg/dl and standard therapy targeting LDL-C ≥100 to <120 mg/dl in T2DM patients with retinopathy without known cardiovascular disease. Using this dataset, we divided the patients into two subpopulations based on standard deviation (SD) and average real variability (ARV) of clinic SBP within the initial 6 months. In a total of 4899 patients, 240 composite cardiovascular events were observed during a median follow-up of 37.3 months. In multivariable-adjusted model comparing intensive versus standard therapy, the hazard ratios for composite cardiovascular events were 0.64 (95% CI 0.45-0.90) and 1.21 (95% CI 0.82-1.80) in patients with high and low SBP variability as defined by SD, respectively. Interaction between SBP variability and statin therapy was significant (P = 0.018). The analysis using ARV of SBP showed similar results. Statin intensive therapy targeting LDL-C <70 mg/dl had benefits in primary prevention of cardiovascular events compared with standard therapy among T2DM patients with retinopathy having high, but not low, visit-to-visit SBP variability.

Association of clinic and ambulatory blood pressure with new-onset atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis of observational studies.

The aim of this study was to perform a meta‐analysis of studies evaluating the association of clinic and daytime, nighttime, and 24‐h blood pressure with the occurrence of new‐onset atrial fibrillation. We conducted a literature search through PubMed, Web of science, and Cochrane Library for articles evaluating the occurrence of new‐onset atrial fibrillation in relation to the above‐mentioned blood pressure parameters and reporting adjusted hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval. We identified five studies. The pooled population consisted of 7224 patients who experienced 444 cases of atrial fibrillation. The overall adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) was 1.05 (0.98‐1.13), 1.19 (1.11‐1.27), 1.18 (1.11‐1.26), and 1.23 (1.14‐1.32), per 10‐mmHg increment in clinic, daytime, nighttime, and 24‐h systolic blood pressure, respectively. The degree of heterogeneity of the hazard ratio estimates across the studies (Q and I‐squared statistics) were minimal. The results of this meta‐analysis strongly suggest that ambulatory systolic blood pressure prospectively predicts incident atrial fibrillation better than does clinic systolic blood pressure and that daytime, nighttime, and 24‐h systolic blood pressure are similarly associated with future atrial fibrillation.

Effects of Sodium-Specific Medical Nutrition Therapy from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Dietary sodium intake can increase risk of hypertension, a leading cause of kidney failure in individuals with chronic kidney disease. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the effect of sodium-specific medical nutrition therapy provided by a registered dietitian nutritionist or international equivalent on blood pressure and urinary sodium excretion in individuals with chronic kidney disease, stages 2 through 5, receiving maintenance dialysis and posttransplant. Medline, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and other databases were searched to identify eligible controlled trials published in the English language from January 2000 until June 2020 that addressed the research question. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2.0 tool and quality of evidence was examined by outcome using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method. Of the 5,642 articles identified, eight studies were included in the final analyses. Six studies targeted clients who were not dialyzed, including one with clients who were posttransplantation, and two studies with clients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Sodium-specific medical nutrition therapy from a registered dietitian nutritionist significantly reduced clinic systolic blood pressure (mean difference –6.7, 95% CI –11.0 to –2.4 mm Hg; I2 = 51%) and diastolic blood pressure (mean difference –4.8, 95% CI, –7.1 to –2.4 mm Hg; I2 = 23%) as well as urinary sodium excretion (mean difference –67.6, 95% CI –91.6 to –43.6 mmol/day; I2 = 84.1%). Efficacy was limited to individuals who were not dialyzed, including posttransplantation, but the intervention did not significantly improve blood pressure in individuals receiving maintenance hemodialysis. Adults with chronic kidney disease should begin to work with registered dietitian nutritionist early in the course of disease to receive individualized, effective counseling to improve risk factors and, ultimately, health outcomes.

Poorly controlled ambulatory blood pressure in outpatients with peripheral arterial disease.

BackgroundPatients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are generally less intensively managed than patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), despite that their risk of complications is believed to be equivalent. Identification of PAD patients at risk of poorly controlled blood pressure (BP) could lead to improved treatment, thus lowering the risk of cardiovascular (CV) complications. We aimed to describe the prevalence of poorly controlled cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, focusing on BP, in outpatients with PAD diagnosed in a vascular ultrasound laboratory.MethodsConsecutive outpatients with carotid and/or lower extremity PAD were included (n = 402) and examined with blood sampling, clinical BP, and 24-h ambulatory BP measurements. A poorly controlled clinical BP was defined as ≥140/90 mmHg, ambulatory BP ≥130/80 mmHg, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol level ≥2.5 mmol/L, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level >53 mmol/mol in those with diabetes.ResultsMost of the patients had poorly controlled clinical (76.6%) and ambulatory BP (51.7%) profiles. Antihypertensive medications were prescribed in 84% of the patients. However, >40% of them used only 0–1 medication, and <25% of them used three or more agents. Clinical BP, a low number of medications, body mass index, and the presence of diabetes independently predicted a poorly controlled ambulatory BP. Nearly one-third of the patients were smokers, and most of the cohort had an LDL-cholesterol level of ≥2.5 mmol/L. An HbA1c level of >53 mmol/mol was present in 55% of diabetic patients.ConclusionPoorly controlled clinical and ambulatory systolic BP profiles were common. In addition, suboptimal control of other important CV risk factors was detected. The findings of this study highlight the need for better preventive efforts against CV risk factors in outpatients with PAD.

Early cardiac change after menopause-an open level comparative study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide which is more prevalent in women after menopause. Hormonal changes associated with menopause are accountable for dyslipidemia pattern that causes CVD and associated complications. Therefore, the present study was commenced to compare the lipid profile in pre- and postmenopausal women. A total of 100 samples were collected from women, 50 from premenopausal and 50 from postmenopausal women, and analyzed for Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL-). TC, TG, HDL, and LDL were highly significantly increased in postmenopausal women when compared to premenopausal women. DL/HDL ratio was significantly elevated in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. MI was significantly positively correlated with TC and TG in both pre- and postmenopausal population and it was positively correlated with HDL in the premenopausal population while negatively correlated in the postmenopausal population. Since more of the atherogenic lipid parameters are increased in postmenopausal women, they appear to be more prone to have CVD and associated complications in the near future. Hence, it is mandatory to monitor and manage dyslipidemia patterns in every woman experiencing menopause. To investigate whether menopause may induce left ventricular structural and functional adaptations in normotensive and hypertensive women, we compared in a case-control setting 50 untreated hypertensive premenopausal women with 50 postmenopausal women and 50 normotensive premenopausal women with 50 postmenopausal women. Subjects were individually physically examined &amp; matched by age (38.2±5.9years to 50±1.03years), clinic systolic blood pressure (128.6±1.05mm Hg &amp; 134±1.2mm Hg), clinic diastolic blood pressure (74.6±1.3mm Hg &amp; 74.6±1.2mm Hg), and body mass index (55.3±8.8kg to 55.6±5.9kg) respectively. We conclude that menopause is associated with blunted day-night blood pressure reduction, impaired left the ventricular systolic performance, and concentric left ventricular geometric pattern. These findings are independent of the presence or absence of high blood pressure.

Determinants of cardiac structure in frail and sarcopenic elderly adults.

Cardiac structure and function change with age. The higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with concentric remodeling is indicative of a typical geometric pattern of aging associated with a higher cardiovascular (CV) risk and diseases. The recent associations found between low left ventricular and skeletal mass in older patients with frailty and sarcopenia have raised great interest in investigating cardiac characteristics and determinants of left ventricular mass (LVM) in this population. Cross-sectional study. We evaluated 100 sarcopenic and physically frail outpatients, 33 men (M), 67 women (F), aged ≥70years (mean age 79±5) and enrolled in the Parma site of European multicenter SPRINTT population. All male and female participants showed LVH, assessed as indexed LVM to body surface area (LVM/BSA) (M=128±39g/m2; F=104±26g/m2), and were more prone to have concentric geometry, as demonstrated by relative wall thickness value (0.41 in both sexes). After backward regression analysis, including covariates such as age, sex, office or ABPM systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate, BSA, use of β blockers, ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, physical activity, hemoglobin level, and Mini Mental State examination - the most powerful determinants of LVM were clinical SBP (β=1.51±0.31, p=0.0005), BSA (β=165.9±41.4, p=0.0001), while less powerful determinants were 24h, daily and nightly SBP (p=0.02, p=0.002, p=0.004 respectively). Older sarcopenic and physically frail patients showed LVH with a tendency towards concentric geometry. The main determinant of LVM was SBP, highlighting the key role that hemodynamic condition plays in determining LVH in this population.

COMPARISON OF BLOOD PRESSURE PARAMETERS WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR MASS IN YOUNGER MEN WITH GRADE 1 HYPERTENSION

Objective: Non-invasive measurement of central aortic systolic pressure (CASP) has been claimed to confer advantage over conventional clinic blood pressure (BP) in predicting cardiovascular risk, particularly in younger patients where amplification is variable. This study aimed to compare relationships between clinic BP, CASP and ambulatory BP (ABPM) with left ventricular (LV) mass in younger men with grade 1 hypertension and low cardiovascular risk. Design and method: 155 men aged &lt; 55 years with grade 1 hypertension confirmed by ABPM, underwent a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) scan. BP was assessed by clinic and 24-hour ABPM. CASP was evaluated using a high fidelity tonometer (BProâ) to capture radial artery waveforms calibrated to clinic systolic and diastolic or mean and diastolic (fixed form factor) and processed using a n-point moving average. LV mass indexed to body surface area (LVMI), was assessed by manual segmentation of the LV image stack acquired using a 1.5T cMRI scanner. Linear regression and receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between LVMI and BP measurement mode and whether relationships between CASP and LVMI were influenced by calibration mode. Results: In 155 men recruited from the general community (mean age 45 years) with grade 1 hypertension and low cardiovascular risk (10-year QRISKâ 5.4%), increasing BP was positively associated with LVMI. Relationships with LVMI was similar between BP measurement modes (clinic systolic BP r = 0.27, p &lt; 0.001, 24-hour ABPM systolic BP r = 0.28 p &lt; 0.001). The relationship of LVMI with CASP differed little for pressure waves calibrated using systolic and diastolic BP (r = 0.25, p &lt; 0.001) or mean and diastolic BP at a form factor of 0.33 (r = 0.30, p &lt; 0.001). ROC analysis for high LV mass detection (highest 20%), showed similar predictive value between BP modes. Conclusions: Carefully measured clinic BP confirmed by ABPM, is as good at predicting LVMI as 24-hour ABPM or CASP, irrespective of the calibration mode in younger men with grade 1 hypertension where amplification is variable. Furthermore recalibration of radial waveforms to mean and diastolic BP at a commonly used form factor (0.33) does not significantly improve this relationship.

Association of Serum Aldosterone and Plasma Renin Activity With Ambulatory Blood Pressure in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an important driver of blood pressure (BP), but the association of the RAAS with ambulatory BP (ABP) and ABP monitoring phenotypes among African Americans has not been assessed. ABP and ABP monitoring phenotypes were assessed in 912 Jackson Heart Study participants with aldosterone and plasma renin activity (PRA). Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the association of aldosterone and PRA with clinic, awake, and asleep systolic BP and diastolic BP (DBP) and ABP monitoring phenotypes, adjusting for important confounders. The mean age of participants was 59±11 years and 69% were female. In fully adjusted models, lower log-PRA was associated with higher clinic, awake, and asleep systolic BP and DBP (all P<0.05). A higher log-aldosterone was associated with higher clinic, awake, and asleep DBP (all P<0.05). A 1-unit higher log-PRA was associated with lower odds of daytime hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 0.59 [95% CI, 0.49-0.71]), nocturnal hypertension (OR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.58-0.79]), daytime and nocturnal hypertension (OR, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.48-0.71]), sustained hypertension (OR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.39-0.70]), and masked hypertension (OR 0.75 [95% CI, 0.62-0.90]). A 1-unit higher log-aldosterone was associated with higher odds of nocturnal hypertension (OR, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.05-1.81]). Neither PRA nor aldosterone was associated with percent dipping, nondipping BP pattern, or white-coat hypertension. Patterns for aldosterone:renin ratio were similar to patterns for PRA. Suppressed renin activity and higher aldosterone:renin ratios were associated with higher systolic BP and DBP in the office and during the awake and asleep periods as evidenced by ABP monitoring. Higher aldosterone levels were associated with higher DBP, but not systolic BP, in the clinic and during the awake and asleep periods. Further clinical investigation of novel and approved medications that target low renin physiology such as epithelial sodium channel inhibitors and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists may be paramount in improving hypertension control in African Americans.

Prevalence and Determinants of Masked Hypertension in Nigeria: The REMAH Study.

Estimating the burden of hypertension in Nigeria hitherto relied on clinic blood pressure (BP) measurement alone. This excludes individuals with masked hypertension (MH), i.e., normotensive clinic but hypertensive out-of-clinic BP. In a nationally representative sample of adult Nigerians, we obtained clinic BP using auscultatory method and out-of-clinic BP by self-measured home BP with semi-automated oscillometric device. Clinic BP was average of 5 consecutive measurements and home BP was average of 3 days duplicate morning and evening readings. MH was clinic BP <140 mm Hg systolic and 90 mm Hg diastolic and home BP ≥135 mm Hg systolic and/or 85 mm Hg diastolic. Among 933 participants, the prevalence of sustained hypertension, MH, and white-coat hypertension was 28.3%, 7.9%, and 11.9%, respectively. Among subjects whose clinic BP were in the normotensive range (n = 558), the prevalence of MH was 13%; 12% among untreated and 27% among treated individuals. The mutually adjusted odds ratios of having MH among all participants with normotensive clinic BP were 1.33 (95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.60) for a 10-year higher age, 1.59 (1.09-2.40) for a 10 mm Hg increment in systolic clinic BP, and 1.16 (1.08-1.28) for a 10 mg/dl higher random blood glucose. The corresponding estimates in the untreated population were 1.24 (1.03-1.51), 1.56 (1.04-2.44), and 1.16 (1.08-1.29), respectively. MH is common in Nigeria and increasing age, clinic systolic BP, and random blood glucose are the risk factors.

Ambulatory blood pressure is better associated with target organ damage than clinic blood pressure in patients with primary glomerular disease

BackgroundBlood pressure is an important and modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides valuable prognostic information in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet little is known about the association of various types of BP measurements with target organ damage (TOD) in patients with primary glomerular disease. The goal of this study was to investigate whether ambulatory blood pressure is better associated with TOD than clinic blood pressure in patients with primary glomerular disease.Methods1178 patients with primary glomerular disease were recruited in this cross-sectional study. TOD were assessed by the following 4 parameters: left ventricular mass index (LVMI or LVH, left ventricular hypertrophy), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR< 60 ml/min/1.73m2), albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR ≥ 30 mg/g) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) or plaque. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between ambulatory or clinic systolic blood pressure (SBP) indexes and TOD.ResultsAmong 1178 patients (mean age, 39 years,54% men), 116, 458, 1031 and 251 patients had LVH, eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2, ACR ≥ 30 mg/g and cIMT≥0.9 mm or plaque respectively. Area under ROC curves for TOD in ambulatory SBP, especially nighttime SBP, was greater than that in clinic SBP (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that 24 h SBP, daytime SBP and nighttime SBP were significantly associated with LVH, eGFR< 60 ml/min/1.73m2 and ACR ≥ 30 mg/g after adjustment for clinic SBP, while the association of clinic SBP was attenuated after further adjustment for nighttime SBP.ConclusionsAmbulatory blood pressure, especially nighttime blood pressure, is probably superior to clinic blood pressure and has a significant association with TOD in primary glomerular disease patients.

Ambulatory blood pressure and risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation in treated hypertensive patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of clinic and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) on the occurrence of new‐onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in treated hypertensive patients. We studied 2135 sequential treated hypertensive patients aged >40 years. During the follow‐up (mean 9.7 years, range 0.4–20 years), 116 events (new‐onset AF) occurred. In univariate analysis, clinic, daytime, nighttime, and 24‐h systolic BP were all significantly associated with increased risk of new‐onset AF, that is, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) per 10 mm Hg increment 1.22 (1.11–1.35), 1.36 (1.21–1.53), 1.42 (1.29–1.57), and 1.42 (1.26–1.60), respectively. After adjustment for various covariates in multivariate analysis, clinic systolic BP was no longer associated with increased risk of new‐onset AF, whereas daytime, nighttime, and 24‐h systolic BP remained significantly associated with outcome, that is, hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) per 10 mm Hg increment 1.09 (0.97–1.23), 1.23 (1.10–1.39), 1.16 (1.03–1.31), and 1.22 (1.06–1.40), respectively. Daytime, nighttime, and 24‐h systolic BP are superior to clinic systolic BP in predicting new‐onset AF in treated hypertensive patients. Future studies are needed to evaluate whether a better control of ambulatory BP might be helpful in reducing the occurrence of new‐onset AF.

Abstract 15551: Evening Blood Pressure Burden and Cardiac Load: A Sex-specific Association of Nocturia in the Japanese at High-risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Introduction: Earlier epidemiologic studies have reported a significant relationship between hypertension and nocturia. However, the underlying pathophysiology has been unclear. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that blood pressure (BP) burden and cardiac load might be associated with severity of nocturia. In addition, this association was hypothesized to be moderated by sex. Methods: In the Japan Morning Surge-Home Blood Pressure Study, measurements of home BP (HBP) at evening (mean 11.2 days) as well as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were performed in the 4310 patients with one or more cardiovascular risks (64.9 years old, male 47%). A self-administered questionnaire included items on nocturia was used. Results: According to the number of nocturia (no void: n= 2382; one void: n=847; ≥ 2 voids per night: n=1082), significant associations of systolic BP (SBP) at evening (130 vs 130 vs 132 mmHg, p&lt;0.0001) and logBNP (1.20 vs 1.30 vs 1.42, p&lt;0.0001) were observed with nocturia severity. In the multinomial logistic regression analysis adjustment for confounders including age, smoking, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and clinic SBP, the use of diuretics (OR: 1.26, 95%CI: 1.06-1.52, p&lt;0.05) was significantly associated with one nocturnal void, while evening SBP (OR: 1.009, 95%CI: 1.003-1.014, p&lt;0.01) and logBNP (1.43, 95%CI: 1.19-1.73, p&lt;0.001) were significantly associated with multiple nocturnal voids. While no significant interaction was found between evening SBP and logBNP for multiple nocturnal voids in the total population (p=0.1), a significant interaction was found between evening SBP and logBNP for multiple nocturnal voids only in females (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of diuretics was a significant indicator of single nocturnal void, while evening SBP and BNP were those of multiple nocturnal voids in the high-risk Japanese population. Specifically, in the females, treatment to reduce BP burden as well as cardiac overload might be important to improve sleep disturbance caused by nocturia.

Lower insulin sensitivity remains a feature of children born very preterm.

The first report of children born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation) having insulin resistance was made 16 years ago. However, neonatal care has improved since. Thus, we aimed to assess whether children born very preterm still have lower insulin sensitivity than term controls. Participants were prepubertal children aged 5 to 11 years born very preterm (<32 weeks of gestation; n = 51; 61% boys) or at term (37-41 weeks; n = 50; 62% boys). Frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed, and insulin sensitivity was calculated using Bergman's minimal model. Additional clinical assessments included anthropometry, body composition using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, clinic blood pressure, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Children born very preterm were 0.69 standard deviation score (SDS) lighter (P < .001), 0.53 SDS shorter (P = .003), and had body mass index 0.57 SDS lower (P = .003) than children born at term. Notably, children born very preterm had insulin sensitivity that was 25% lower than term controls (9.4 vs 12.6 × 10-4 minutes-1 ·[mU/L]; P = .001). Other parameters of glucose metabolism, including fasting insulin levels, were similar in the two groups. The awake systolic blood pressure (from 24-hour monitoring) tended to be 3.1 mm Hg higher on average in children born very preterm (P = .054), while the clinic systolic blood pressure was 5.4 mm Hg higher (P = .002). Lower insulin sensitivity remains a feature of children born very preterm, despite improvements in neonatal intensive care. As reported in our original study, our findings suggest the defect in insulin action in prepubertal children born very pretermis primarily peripheral and not hepatic.

Artificial neural networks to compare the contribution of basic clinical factors, ESC SCORE, and multidimensional risk factors for cardiovascular event prediction performance: an observational study

Abstract Background/Introduction Despite the recent increase in the availability of different data sources that can be used for prediction models for cardiovascular disease (CVD), it remains unclear to what extent such data could contribute to improving performance of the models in data-driven cardiovascular research. Purpose To compare the contribution of different data types in basic clinical factors, the European Society of Cardiology Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation (ESC SCORE), and multidimensional risk factors for CVD prediction performance of artificial neural networks (ANN) using the relevant input features derived from a large-scale medical claims database. Methods We abstracted data through the National Health Insurance Sharing Service and collected information on 258,896 middle-aged individuals free of CVD at baseline (2009–2010) who were followed up for incident CVD until 2013. Multidimensional risk factors identifiable from the database were chosen from a systematic review of published articles. Input features in ANN were classified as follows: basic clinical factors (age, sex, and body mass index), ESC SCORE (age, sex, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and cigarette smoking), and multidimensional risk factors (sociodemographic, lifestyle behavior, underlying medical conditions, dental health, medication use, etc). The data were partitioned into the training and test sets with 7:3 ratio and the performance of each ANN model was evaluated with area under the curve (AUC). Results The ANN model with multidimensional risk factors had higher prediction performance (AUC: 0.692) compared to the models with basic clinical factors (AUC: 0.671) and ESC SCORE (AUC: 0.684). Within the multidimensional risk factors, atrial fibrillation, family history, chronic kidney disease, retinal vein occlusion, dental caries, antipsychotics, and corticosteroid use were some of the strong predictors. However, adding multidimensional risk factors only showed marginal improvement (increase in 1.17% of AUC) compared with the ESC SCORE model. Conclusions Adding multidimensional risk factors as input features in the ANN only showed marginal improvement in the CVD prediction performance. When assessing cardiovascular risk from the large-scale healthcare data, variables included in the ESC SCORE should primarily be considered in the model. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Kyuwoong Kim received a scholarship from the BK21-plus education program provided by the National Research Foundation of the Republic of Korea. This work is a part of Kyuwoong Kim's PhD dissertation.