Continuous Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Research Articles

Assessment of daily blood pressure parameters in patients after injury

ABSTRACT. Many studies have highlighted the impact of various significant risk factors on the occurrence of arterial hypertension. However, few papers have examined the effect of psychoemotional factors as important contributors to the risk of arterial hypertension for such a specific population group as contracted servicemen performing military service under conditions of performing special tasks. Furthermore, there is a lack of data on the daily profile of blood pressure in this particular group of individuals. This thesis aims to substantiate the claim that injury, as a risk factor, greatly influences changes in the daily profile of blood pressure. The study examined 118 patients, divided into an experimental group (65 people) and a control group (53 people). The daily profile of blood pressure was assessed using continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the quality of sleep, anxiety, and depression. The findings indicated that the patients of the experimental group, following trauma, exhibited a higher index of systolic and diastolic blood pressure duration, while the mean values remained within the normal range. Additionally, these patients more frequently exhibited a blood pressure profile characterized by an insufficient nocturnal decrease in blood pressure, known as non-dipping. This could be attributed to impaired sleep quality, as well as subclinically significant manifestations of anxiety and depression caused by stress. The early detection of changes in the index of systolic and diastolic blood pressure duration, along with deviations in the daily blood pressure profile observed through continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, would enable specialists to promptly address alterations in the hemodynamics of these patients and prescribe appropriate therapy. Therefore, psychoemotional stress in people who have experienced trauma is one of the trigger mechanisms for increased blood pressure. If left unaddressed, this can progress to persistent arterial hypertension.

PS-C23-1: EFFECT OF OMEGA3,6,9 BLENDED OIL ON CIRCADIAN VARIATIONS OF AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION AND CAD

Flaxseed oil is considered to be a rich source of Alpha-Linolenic Acid(ALA), along with Lignans, fibers, protein, vitamins,s, and minerals. A number of studies have proved the beneficial role of ALA, EPA, and DHA found in flaxseed on health. Besides providing nutrition, they have anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and cardioprotective properties. However pure flaxseed oil does not have oxidative stability due to which it could not be stored for long-term edible use. The blending process can be an alternative method for Partial hydrogenation, therefore we used this process to reduce the percentage of unsaturated linoleic and linolenic acids of Flaxseed oil with Palm oil in a stabilized ratio which helps in maintaining the overall oxidative stability and proper ratio of Omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 content in the Blended product. Aim of this study was to access the effect of blended flaxseed oil on 24 hour seven day circadian variations of blood pressure in subjects with essential hypertension. Many Studies have proved that Chronobiological analysis of blood pressure by four to Seven-day continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and assessment of CHAT (circadian hyper amplitude tension) is the best marker for cardiovascular function. We registered 100 subjects with Coronary Artery Disease (Group1) and Essential hypertension (Group2) and 100 control subjects with CAD/ Hypertension. Group 1 and 2 participants were supplemented with blended flaxseed oil (BFO) (30 ml/day) for the period of six months while the control group was not given any BFO (They were using their routine edible oil). Twenty-four hour seven days continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was done initially, after three months and after six months of supplementation. There were significant changes noted in lipid profile along with Ambulatory blood pressure parameters like MESOR, ACROPHASE, Hyperbaric Indexes, and CHAT. Circadian hyper amplitude tension (CHAT) incidence decreased after BFO supplementation. Study results suggest that optimized doses of blended flaxseed oil have the required amount of ALA and essential fatty acids as per guidelines of AHA, Blended flaxseed oil administration can be a potent antihypertensive and helps in the synchronization of cardiac rhythms, and an effective vegetarian source in maintaining Omega 3 and omega 6 ratios.

CIRCADIAN VARIABILITY AND CIRCADIAN HYPER AMPLITUDE TENSION AS A EARLY PREDICTIVE MARKER OF CHEMOTHERAPHY INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY

Objective: Chemotherapeutic Medicines like Anthracycline antibiotics are effectively being used for breast cancer treatment in India. Despite of close clinical monitoring, the use of serological markers, such as troponins and BNP, and finally by using standard and novel imaging techniques like, nuclear imaging, echocardiograms etc some patients still develop severe left ventricular dysfunction. Also there are certain limitations of these techniques as these techniques can predict CV damages only after Cardiac function deterioration has become irreversible. Design and method: Therefore in this study Seven day continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and CHAT (circadian hyper amplitude tension) have been evaluated to find out the variability in blood pressure and heart rate as a marker for cardiac function. Subjects who were fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled for study. 24 hour /7days Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, Left ventricular Ejection Fraction ratio (LVEF), Heart rate variability (HRV) and Cardiotoxicity Biomarkers viz Brain Natruitic peptide (BNP) and C- Reactive Protein (Hs CRP) and Troponin T were analyzed before receiving first Cycle of Antracycline Chemotherapy. All the parameters were repeated after first and Second Cycle of Chemotherapy. Results: Results shows significant increase in MESOR and Double Amplitude and Hyperbaric indexes of SBP, DBP and HR after Chemotherapy. Number of subjects diagonosed with CHAT (Circadian Hyper Amplitude Tension) increased after Chemotherapy while No Significant Changes were noted in LVEF (Left Ventricular ejection fraction) and serum biomarkers (i.e Troponin T, Hs CRP, and BNP). These data suggest that Anthracyclines Chemotheraphy treatment in Breast Cancer Subjects produces variations in 7 day circadian pattern of blood pressure and heart rate which can result into disturbed vascular events and thus are at greater risk of cardiovascular morbidity. Conclusions: long term monitoring of circadian pattern of blood pressure and heart rate in cancer patients will be an effective measure to prevent chemotherapy induced cardiotoxicity. Chronobiological screening parameters will be a novel approach in the context of chemotherapy induced cardiotoxity in order to identify or stratify risk in cancer patients that would potentially benefit from early cardio protective or other precautionary measures.

Effect of essential fatty acid blend on circadian variations of ambulatory blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension and coronary artery disease risk markers.

Flaxseed oil is an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid ALA known for its antihypertensive action. Flaxseed oil is unstable and its dose is not achievable in our conventional diet hence blending of natural flaxseed oil with palm oil, containing high flavonoids may be a better strategy, to stabilize the blend and provide proper balance of essential fatty acids and potential antioxidant effects. Aim of this study was to access the effect of blended flaxseed oil on 24 h 7-day circadian variations of blood pressure in subjects with essential hypertension. Assessment of CHAT (circadian hyper amplitude tension) using ABPM is the best marker for cardiovascular function. We registered 50 subjects with CAD (Group 1) and 50 subjects with Essential hypertension HT (Group 2) and 52 control subjects with CAD/Hypertension. Group 1 and 2 participant was supplemented with blended flaxseed oil (BFO) (30 ml/day) for the period of 24 weeks, while control group administered available oils sunflower in identical containers, for a follow-up period of 24 weeks. Twenty four hour seven days continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was done initially and after six months of BFO supplementation. There were significant changes noted in lipid profile along with Ambulatory blood pressure parameters like MESOR, ACROPHASE, Hyperbaric Indexes, and CHAT. Circadian hyper amplitude tension (CHAT) incidence decreased after BFO supplementation. Study results suggest that blended flaxseed oil administration can be a potent natural vegetarian antihypertensive supplement which helps in synchronization of cardiac rhythms, and can be used as a preventive treatment of hypertension and as effective vegetarian source of maintaining Omega 3 and omega 6 ratios of essential fatty acids in the body.

Comparative Study of Sympathetic Activity in Normotensive Obese and Nonobese Adults

Aim: The aim of the study is to assess sympathetic activity in Obese Normotensive subjects Objectives: To investigate any changes in sympathetic activity in Normotensive obese subjects using Cold Pressor test Method: 50 Obese subjects of both genders between age group 18-25 years with BMI>25kg/m2 were selected as study group and 50 age matched subjects of both the genders with BMI<25Kg/m2 were selected as control group. Sympathetic activity was assessed using Cold pressor test. In this test, After recording the resting blood pressure (BP), the subject was asked to immerse his hand in cold water (temperature maintained between 5°–9°C). BP measurement from other arm was done at 30 sec interval for two minutes using continuous ambulatory Blood pressure monitoring, after which the subject was asked to remove the hand from cold water. Maximum increase in Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) was taken as test response. Results: Statistical analysis was done using unpaired t test.Increase in diastolic blood pressure with Cold pressor test in study group was significantly increased compared to control group. Conclusion: Increased sympathetic activity is seen in obese normotensive subjects,which is a risk factor for future development of hypertension and other complications associated with increased sympathetic activity.weight loss and maintanence of healthy lifestyle is suggested to the subjects to prevent the future complications.

Anti-Hypertensive Effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BackgroundFor elderly patients suffering from arterial hypertension, a complete assessment of the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan used as an anti-hypertensive agent is not available yet. Therefore, we decided to perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to explore some endpoints concerning anti-hypertensive efficacy as well as safety of sacubitril/valsartan in elderly hypertensive patients.MethodsPubMed and Scopus have been extensively investigated with the help of some key words until June 15, 2018. The meta-analysis incorporated exclusively RCTs in which the anti-hypertensive efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan were compared with those of a reference drug (comparator) that could be an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), a calcium channel blocker (CCB) or a beta-blocker. Continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was required as an inclusion criterion in the studies to be included in the meta-analysis. The mean reductions in systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the sitting position (msSBP and msDBP, respectively), as well as the mean reductions in ambulatory systolic blood pressure (maSBP) and ambulatory diastolic blood pressure (maDBP), were assumed as efficacy endpoints. Adverse events (AEs) were taken as safety outcomes.ResultsFive RCTs were included with a total of 1,513 patients for analysis. In all studies, the comparator drug was an ARB (valsartan in two cases and olmesartan in the remaining three cases). Compared with ARBs, after 12 weeks there was a significant reduction in msSBP (weight mean difference (WMD) = - 5.41 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval (CI): -7.0 to -3.8; P < 0.01), msDBP (WMD = -1.22 mm Hg, 95% CI : -2.15 to -0.3; P < 0.01), maSBP (WMD = -4.58 mm Hg, 95% CI: -5.62 to -3.54; P < 0.01) and maDBP (WMD = -2.17 mm Hg, 95% CI: - 2.78 to -1.56; P < 0.01) in elderly hypertensive patients at 12 weeks.ConclusionsSacubitril/valsartan may reduce arterial pressure more efficaciously than ARBs in elderly hypertensive patients. These results have to be confirmed by further RCTs with a good methodological quality, possibly with a greater sample size.

Nocturnal enuresis in children is associated with differences in autonomic control

Study ObjectivesTo assess the relationship between urine osmolality, cardiovascular parameters, and nocturnal enuresis in a population of children undergoing polysomnographic assessment.MethodsThis prospective observational study included consecutive children aged 5–17 years presenting for overnight polysomnography. Children were evaluated using continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to assess heart rate and blood pressure. Urine samples were collected throughout the night to determine urine sodium excretion and osmolality. Comparisons of results were made between children with and without a history of nocturnal enuresis.ResultsA total of 61 children were included for analysis; 13 had a history of nocturnal enuresis. Children with nocturnal enuresis had greater disruption in respiratory parameters including higher apnea–hypopnea index (mean difference 12.2 ± 8.8 events/h, p < 0.05), attributable to more central respiratory events (mean difference 5.4 ± 4.9, p < 0.05), and higher variability in both oxygen and carbon dioxide parameters compared to those without nocturnal enuresis. Sleep parameters, urine osmolality, and blood pressure did not differ between groups. Children with nocturnal enuresis showed an increase, rather than a decrease, in heart rate across the night (+5.4 ± 19.1 vs. −6.0 ± 14.8 beats/min, p < 0.05).ConclusionsChildren with a history of nocturnal enuresis have greater respiratory abnormalities, no differences in urine osmolality or blood pressure, and loss of normal heart rate decrease across the night. This pattern suggests that autonomic control, rather than renal or hemodynamic abnormalities, may contribute to the pathophysiology of nocturnal enuresis.

Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in children with overweight and obesity

Several studies have found an association between obesity and heart failure. The purpose of our study was to identify the influence of the severity of obesity in children on structural and functional changes of the left ventricle and parameters of the systolic and diastolic function. This was a prospective controlled study carried out between February 1 and October 31, 2010, involving 21 children with overweight and obesity and 23 healthy controls. Following parameters were evaluated: nutritional status, intermittent and continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiographic examination including aortal root diameter, left atrial diameter, interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left ventricle mass, relative wall thickness, left ventricular mass/height index and ejection fraction. In overweight and obese children, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, average day-time SBP were higher than in controls. Also, left ventricular size was increased and diastolic dysfunction with preserved systolic function was present in overweight children. In our study we have found that in obese and overweight children signs of early myocardial damage, both structural and functional, are detectable mainly as the alteration of the left ventricular diastolic function, despite preserved global systolic function. These changes seem to be intensified by the severity of obesity (Tab. 3, Ref. 39).

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Measurement

One of the consequences of hypertension is increasing stiffness of the arteries, which leads to cardiovascular events and increased mortality.1 Clearly this process is a continuous one and, contrary to acceptance that such change is inevitable, it is not now unreasonable to assume that if stiffening in the arterial system could be detected at an early rather than at a late stage, therapeutic interventions might be initiated to delay or even prevent its occurrence. However, measuring arterial stiffness requires special equipment and trained staff, facilities that are not generally available and that are, moreover, costly. It has been proposed recently that a measure of arterial stiffness could be obtained from the routine use of ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) by using the dynamic relationship between diastolic and systolic blood pressure over 24 hours, calculated as 1 minus the regression slope of diastolic on systolic blood pressure. The rationale underlying the ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) is that average distending pressure varies during the day and that the relation between diastolic and systolic blood pressure, with this changing distending pressure, depends largely on the structural and functional characteristics of the large arteries. In the Dublin Outcome Study, AASI predicted cardiovascular mortality in a large cohort of hypertensive individuals. Moreover, this prediction withstood additional adjustment for other risk factors, including pulse pressure. Interestingly, AASI was a stronger predictor of fatal …

THE DAILY PROFILE OF BLOOD PRESSURE IN METABOLIC SYNDROME: COMPARABLE ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICACY OF MONOTHERAPY WITH ENALAPRIL AND UNCONTROLLED ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY

Aim. To assess an influence of ACE inhibitor enalapril on daily profile of blood pressure (BP) in comparison with uncontrolled antihypertensive therapy in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). Material and methods. 41 patients with MS were included in opened parallel controlled study. Patients were randomized into two groups. Patients of the first group received enalapril (Enam, Dr. Reddy’s) 10 mg daily with the further titration of the dose up to 20 mg daily. Patients of the second group took previous antihypertensive therapy (15% of patients took ACE inhibitors, 15% - beta-blockers, 15% - diuretics and 20% - combined therapy). Study duration was 12 weeks. Continuous ambulatory monitoring of BP (AMBP) was applied in all patients at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results. Enalapril therapy during 3 months in average dose of 17±1 mg daily reduced average 24-hour systolic, diastolic and pulse BP by 10, 8 and 14% respectively. These changes were significant in comparison with these in patients with uncontrolled therapy (3,7, 3,8 and 4% respectively). Enalapril reduced also average night systolic, diastolic and pulse BP (11, 11 and 10% respectively). In patients receiving uncontrolled therapy these changes were 3-4%. Two times decrease in BP burden in daytime and nighttime were observed while BP burden remained unchanged in uncontrolled therapy during both periods. Thanks to enalapril monotherapy a number of non-dippers reduced in more than two times due to recovering of night BP decrease (40% before and 15% after treatment). These changes were less expressive in the second group (45% before and 30% after treatment). Conclusion. Enalapril in average dose can be widely used for correction of daily BP profile in patients with MS.

Reproducibility of intra-arterial ambulatory blood pressure: effects of physical activity and posture.

To examine the effects of physical activity, body posture and sleep quality on the reproducibility of continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Measurements were performed in 35 subjects (18 hypertensive, 11 male), mean +/- standard deviation age 49 +/- 13 years. Blood pressure (BP) was measured in the brachial artery, and beat-to-beat values of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure and heart rate (HR) were computed. Physical activity and posture were continuously measured with five accelerometers. Subjective quality of sleep was assessed with a questionnaire. Reproducibility was expressed as an intraclass correlation coefficient and as the standard deviation of the within-subject differences. Posture and activity significantly influenced BP and HR. From lying to sitting, the SBP, DBP and HR increased 6 mmHg, 8 mmHg and 8 beats/min, respectively. From sitting to standing these respective increases were 4 mmHg, 2 mmHg and 13 beats/min. A further rise in activity (from standing to moving generally or walking) increased the SBP by 7 mmHg and the HR by 7 beats/min, and decreased the DBP by 8 mmHg. For daytime SBP, DBP and HR, the intraclass correlation coefficient (standard deviation of the within-subject differences) values were 0.93 (7.2 mmHg), 0.94 (3.8 mmHg) and 0.90 (4.1 beats/min). For night-time these respective values were 0.98 (4.4 mmHg), 0.97 (2.5 mmHg) and 0.96 (2.2 beats/min). Correction for physical activity level and posture hardly improved the reproducibility of daytime BP and HR. Reproducibility of night-time BP and HR was not improved by correction for physical activity, supine position or self-reported sleep quality. Within-subject differences between ambulatory BP recordings cannot be explained by differences in physical activity and body posture.

Prognostic value of direct, continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in essential hypertension.

This study assessed the prognostic value of ambulatory vs. clinic blood pressure measurement in 688 hypertensives who had undergone pretreatment 24-hour intra-arterial ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. A total of 157 first events were recorded over a follow-up period of 9.2A+/-4.4 years. Ambulatory systolic or diastolic blood pressure parameters (whether 24-hour mean, daytime mean, or nighttime mean) or ambulatory pulse pressure provided independent prognostic information in conjunction with clinical variables. The most predictive models contained the ambulatory systolic blood pressure parameters. Age, male gender, South Asian origin, diabetes mellitus, and previous cardiovascular disease were additional independent predictors of events. In a subgroup of 295 uncomplicated patients, 24-hour ambulatory pulse pressure was an independent predictor of left ventricular mass index and maximal carotid intima-media thickness. Baseline clinic blood pressure parameters did not provide independent information for the prediction of events or target organ damage. Therefore, in this study, ambulatory blood pressure proved to be superior to clinic measurement for cardiovascular risk stratification. However, the routine use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is not currently recommended, mainly because of a lack of outcome trials based on the treatment of ambulatory blood pressure levels. (c)2001 by Le Jacq Communications, Inc.

Prediction of coronary and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality by direct continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in essential hypertension

Background —The goal of this study was to assess the prognostic value of ambulatory versus clinic blood pressure measurement and to relate cardiovascular risk to ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Methods and Results —The study population consisted of 688 patients 51±11 years of age who had undergone pretreatment 24-hour intra-arterial ambulatory blood pressure monitoring on the basis of elevated clinic blood pressure. A total of 157 first events were recorded during a 9.2±4.1-year follow-up period. The predictive value of a regression model containing age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking, diabetes mellitus, fasting cholesterol level, and previous history of cardiovascular disease was significantly improved by the addition of any ambulatory systolic or diastolic blood pressure parameter (whether 24-hour, daytime, or nighttime mean) or pulse pressure, whereas inclusion of baseline clinic blood pressure variables did not enhance the prediction of events. The most predictive models contained the ambulatory systolic blood pressure parameters. In the model containing 24-hour mean ambulatory systolic blood pressure ( P =0.001), age ( P <0.001), male sex ( P <0.001), South Asian origin ( P =0.008), diabetes mellitus ( P =0.05), and previous cardiovascular disease ( P <0.001) were additional independent predictors of events. Whereas 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure was linearly related to the incidence of both coronary and cerebrovascular events, 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure exhibited a positive linear relationship with cerebrovascular events but a curvilinear relationship with coronary events. Conclusions —Ambulatory blood pressure is superior to clinic measurement for the assessment of cardiovascular risk; there is no reduction in coronary risk at lower levels of ambulatory diastolic blood pressure.

Correction

HomeCirculationVol. 100, No. 16Correction Free AccessCorrectionPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessCorrectionPDF/EPUBCorrection Originally published19 Oct 1999https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.100.16.1760Circulation. 1999;100:1760This article corrects the followingPrediction of Coronary and Cerebrovascular Morbidity and Mortality by Direct Continuous Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Essential HypertensionIn the article by Khattar et al that appeared in a previous issue of the journal (Circulation. 1999;100:1071–1076 ), the corresponding address and the affiliation of one of the authors were incorrect. The correct information appears here.From the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Northwick Park and St Mark’s Hospital NHS Trust and Institute for Medical Research, Harrow, Middlesex (R.S.K., A.B., R.S., A.L.); Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester (J.D.S.); and Department of Medical Statistics and Evaluation, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London (C.D.), UK.Correspondence to Dr A Lahiri, MB, BS, MSc, MRCP, FACC, FESC, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Rd, Harrow, Middlesex, UK HA1 3U1. Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesPrediction of Coronary and Cerebrovascular Morbidity and Mortality by Direct Continuous Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Essential HypertensionRajdeep S. Khattar, et al. Circulation. 1999;100:1071-1076 October 19, 1999Vol 100, Issue 16 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics Copyright © 1999 by American Heart Associationhttps://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.100.16.1760 Originally publishedOctober 19, 1999 PDF download Advertisement

Recomendaciones sobre el uso de la monitorización ambulatoria de presión arterial.: Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Chilena de Hipertensión

Continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a diagnostic technique devised as a consequence of the great variations in blood pressure measurements. It allows multiple daily measurements, nocturnal monitoring, avoids the stress of blood pressure measurements, gives a picture of pressure behavior during 24 hours and reduces observer related errors. The equipment used must be accurate and validated using international protocols. Accepted indications for continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring are white coat hypertension, episodic hypertension, resistance to medications and assessment of symptoms or autonomic dysfunction. Other indications with less clear cut usefulness, are high risk cardiac, renal or pregnant patients and an accurate blood pressure control. We describe equipment calibration, elements that must be considered in the reports, result interpretation and conclusions. Normal blood pressure ranges for children and pregnant women are also reported.

Prediction of coronary and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality by direct continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in essential hypertension.

The goal of this study was to assess the prognostic value of ambulatory versus clinic blood pressure measurement and to relate cardiovascular risk to ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. The study population consisted of 688 patients 51+/-11 years of age who had undergone pretreatment 24-hour intra-arterial ambulatory blood pressure monitoring on the basis of elevated clinic blood pressure. A total of 157 first events were recorded during a 9.2+/-4.1-year follow-up period. The predictive value of a regression model containing age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking, diabetes mellitus, fasting cholesterol level, and previous history of cardiovascular disease was significantly improved by the addition of any ambulatory systolic or diastolic blood pressure parameter (whether 24-hour, daytime, or nighttime mean) or pulse pressure, whereas inclusion of baseline clinic blood pressure variables did not enhance the prediction of events. The most predictive models contained the ambulatory systolic blood pressure parameters. In the model containing 24-hour mean ambulatory systolic blood pressure (P=0.001), age (P<0.001), male sex (P<0.001), South Asian origin (P=0.008), diabetes mellitus (P=0. 05), and previous cardiovascular disease (P<0.001) were additional independent predictors of events. Whereas 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure was linearly related to the incidence of both coronary and cerebrovascular events, 24-hour ambulatory diastolic blood pressure exhibited a positive linear relationship with cerebrovascular events but a curvilinear relationship with coronary events. Ambulatory blood pressure is superior to clinic measurement for the assessment of cardiovascular risk; there is no reduction in coronary risk at lower levels of ambulatory diastolic blood pressure.

Prediction of coronary and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality by direct continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in essential hypertension

Prediction of coronary and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality by direct continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in essential hypertension

Effect of Major Improvement in Glycemic Control on Results of Cardiovascular Function Tests in Patients with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

To evaluate the effect of major improvement in glycemic control on cardiovascular function tests in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Eight men with chronic, poorly controlled IDDM (serum fructosamine >300 mmol/L and mean fasting blood glucose >200 mg/dL), who were 24 +/- 6 years of age and had a mean duration of diabetes of 8 +/- 1 years, were studied. No patient had microalbuminuria, was taking medication other than insulin, or had evidence of heart disease. Patients underwent baseline continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiographic studies, and cardiovascular autonomic function tests, which were repeated after 4 weeks of an intensified insulin treatment program (IITP), during which they reached and maintained blood glucose concentrations and serum fructosamine levels in near-normal, nondiabetic ranges. Substantial changes in glycemic control had no significant influence on results of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, cardiovascular autonomic function tests, and echocardiographic studies. Major improvement in glycemic control during a 1-month period in patients with IDDM had no significant influence on cardiovascular function tests. We cannot exclude the possibility that, after a longer duration of an IITP or in patients with clinically evident heart disease or evidence of major complications of diabetes, different responses might be observed.

Prognostic value of 24-hour blood pressure variability.

Evaluation of the prognostic value of 24-h blood pressure averages and 24-h blood pressure variability. After an initial thorough clinical and laboratory evaluation which included 24-h continuous ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, a group of hypertensive patients were re-examined after an average of 7.4 years. End-organ damage at the follow-up visit was related to different measures of blood pressure levels and variability obtained at the initial or the follow-up visit or both. Seventy-three patients with essential hypertension of variable severity, in whom ambulatory blood pressure was monitored intra-arterially for 24 h (Oxford technique) were re-examined at a follow-up visit (including echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular mass index) 1-13 years later (mean 7.4 years). The severity of end-organ damage was quantified by a score and related to clinic blood pressure at follow-up and to (1) clinic blood pressure, (2) 24-h blood pressure mean, (3) 24-h short-term and long-term blood pressure variability, and (4) end-organ damage, all assessed at the initial visit (multiple regression analysis). The set of independent variables considered was significantly related to end-organ damage at follow-up (R = 0.51). The individual variables most important in determining end-organ damage at follow-up were clinic blood pressure at the follow-up visit (P < 0.01), the initial level of end-organ damage (P < 0.05) and long-term blood pressure variability (among half-hour standard deviation of 24-h mean blood pressure) at the initial evaluation (P < 0.05). The prognostic individual weight of the other haemodynamic parameters considered was less and not statistically significant. The results confirm that the level of blood pressure achieved by treatment and the degree of end-organ damage at the time of initial evaluation are important determinants of future end-organ damage related to hypertension. They also constitute the first longitudinal evidence that the cardiovascular complications of hypertension may depend on the degree of 24-h blood pressure variability.

Effects of chronic nitrendipine on casual (office) and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure.

To assess the clinical efficacy of chronic nitrendipine therapy in mild to moderate essential hypertension, we studied blood pressure (BP) and heart rate responses in 22 subjects receiving maintenance nitrendipine therapy. Ten subjects (45%) whose hypertension was controlled with chronic monotherapy had an 11/12 mm Hg decrease in supine BP (P less than 0.05) with a mean (+/- SD) dose of 71 +/- 15 mg/day. The 12 (55%) subjects whose hypertension was not controlled with monotherapy had a comparatively higher baseline BP than the other 10 (156/105 +/- 10/6 compared with 150/98 +/- 15/4 mm Hg; P less than 0.05). Eight of the 10 subjects demonstrating office BP control with chronic nitrendipine monotherapy who also had full-time employment underwent continuous ambulatory BP monitoring before and after maintenance monotherapy. Nitrendipine induced a reduction in the mean 24-hour BP and mean BP at home, but did not reduce the BP during work or while asleep. These data suggest that nitrendipine lowers BP when assessed by casual office methods. The ambulatory BP monitor data demonstrate that the hypotensive response to chronic nitrendipine is modified during work periods, which are generally associated with increased adrenergic activity. Ambulatory BP monitoring may be superior to office (casual) monitoring in the assessment of the overall efficacy of antihypertensive drugs.