Increased Pulse Pressure Research Articles

Proteome-wide associations of pulse pressure in the UK Biobank

Abstract Introduction Large artery stiffness (LAS) significantly contributes to the burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and is marked by an increased pulse pressure (PP)(1). Therapeutically targeting LAS may help in mitigating cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities. Purpose We aimed to investigate the proteomic associations of PP, and their putative causal role using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods We first investigated associations between baseline circulating protein levels for 2,941 protein analytes measured using Olink technology, and PP in the UK Biobank (N=54,219). Regression analyses were adjusted for age, sex, mean arterial pressure, body mass index and stroke volume. Next, we conducted two-sample MR analyses to evaluate associations between genetically-predicted plasma protein levels and PP, for 1,820 proteins with available genetic instruments. We conducted inverse-variance weighted MR as our main analysis, and genetic colocalization analyses as sensitivity. We used a 5% false discovery rate (FDR) threshold to account for multiple comparisons. Results After correction for multiple comparisons, measured levels of 61 out of 2,923 proteins were significantly associated with PP (Figure 1). Genetically-predicted levels for 58 proteins were significantly associated with PP after FDR correction (Figure 2). At nominal significance, 31 proteins were concordantly associated with PP in both analyses, and 19 had consistent directions of effect, including natriuretic peptide B (NPPB, βobservational=0.04, Standard Error (SE)=0.009, PFDR<0.001), thrombospondin-2 (THBS2, βobservational=0.05, SE=0.009, PFDR<0.001), paraoxonase-2 (PON2, βobservational=-0.03, SE=0.008, PFDR<0.001), and sclerostin (SOST, βobservational=-0.03, SE=0.009, PFDR<0.001). NPPB was concordant in direction of effect and met an FDR-corrected significance threshold. Conclusions Our study identifies multiple novel proteins with a putative causal effect on PP. Our findings identify NPPB with a high level of statistical confidence, which could have important implications given the current availability of FDA-approved medications to boost NPPB effects. Our findings will lead to further investigations regarding the biology and clinical role of the identified candidate therapeutic targets.

Impact of arterial system alterations due to amputation on arterial stiffness and hemodynamics: a numerical study

Subjects with amputation of the lower limbs are at increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. We hypothesize that amputation-induced alterations in the arterial tree negatively impact arterial biomechanics, blood pressure and flow behavior. These changes may interact with other biological factors, potentially increasing cardiovascular risk. To evaluate this hypothesis regarding the purely mechanical impact of amputation on the arterial tree, we used a simulation computer model including a detailed one-dimensional (1D) arterial network model (143 arterial segments) coupled with a zero-dimensional (0D) model of the left ventricle. Our simulations included five settings of the arterial network: (1) 4-limbs control, (2) unilateral amputee (right lower limb), (3) bilateral amputee (both lower limbs), (4) trilateral amputee (lower-limbs and right upper-limb), and (5) quadrilateral amputee (lower and upper limbs). Analysis of regional stiffness, as calculated by pulse wave velocity (PWV) for large-, medium- and small-sized arteries, showed that, while aortic stiffness did not change with increasing degree of amputation, stiffness of medium and smaller-sized arteries increased with greater amputation severity. Despite a staged decrease in cardiac output, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values increased, resulting in an increase in both central and peripheral pulse pressures but with an attenuation of pulse pressure amplification. The most significant increase in peak systolic pressure and decrease in peak systolic blood flow was observed at the site of the abdominal aorta. Wave separation analysis indicated no changes in the shape of the forward and backward wave components. However, the results from wave intensity analysis showed that with extended amputation, there was an increase in peak forward wave intensity and a rise in the inverse peak of the backward wave intensity, suggesting potential alterations in cardiac hemodynamic load. In conclusion, this simulation study showed that biomechanical and hemodynamic changes in the arterial network geometry could interact with additional risk factors to increase the cardiovascular risk in patients with amputations.

Comparison of arterial stiffness index predictors in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

ABSTRACT The present cross-sectional study aimed to compare climacteric symptoms and arterial stiffness indices between perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The study sample comprised 70 healthy female participants, including 27 perimenopausal (49.8 ± 3.8 years) and 43 postmenopausal (55.7 ± 4 years) individuals. Validated methods were used to assess physical activity level, quality of life, climacteric symptoms, and anthropometric data. Arterial stiffness parameters were measured using Mobil-O-Graph. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) had a higher mean in the postmenopausal group than in the perimenopause group [8.04 m/s (SD 0.79) vs 7.01 m/s (SD 0.78), p < .001). PWV was strongly correlated with peripheral (r = 0.619) and central (r = 0.632) Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) in postmenopausal group and an even stronger correlation was observed in perimenopausal group (r = 0.779 pSBP and 0.782 cSBP). BMI was a risk predictor in the perimenopausal group contributing positively to increase Pulse Pressure Amplification (PPA) (0.458, p < .05). In postmenopausal women, heart rate (HR) was a stronger predictor for central SBP, cardiac output, and total vascular resistance, whereas perimenopausal women HR influenced central diastolic blood pressure and PPA. Vascular changes initiating during perimenopause may contribute to the development of cardiovascular pathologies in the postmenopausal period. Further research with larger, representative samples is warranted to corroborate these findings.

Association of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin with office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure in a Swiss general population sample.

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a potent vasodilator. The association between plasma ADM levels and blood pressure (BP) remains unclear. We assessed the association between mid-regional-pro-ADM (MR-proADM) and BP in a multicenter population- and family-based cohort. We used data from the Swiss Kidney Project on Genes in Hypertension (SKIPOGH). We included participants present at both baseline and 3-year follow-up (N = 843). We examined the association of baseline MR-proADM with baseline office and 24 h ambulatory BP as well as the 3-year change in office BP. In secondary analyses, we studied the association between baseline MR-proADM and 3-year changes in pulse wave velocity (PWV), renal resistive index (RRI) and augmentation index (AI). Mixed-effects linear regression models were used. In cross-sectional analyses, MR-proADM was negatively associated with office, 24-h and daytime diastolic BP (DBP). MR-proADM was positively associated with nighttime systolic BP (SBP). In longitudinal analyses, baseline MR-proADM was associated with an increase in office SBP and pulse pressure (PP) over 3 years [β (95% CI): 8.2 (0.4, 15.9) and β (95% CI): 6.4 (0.3, 12.4), respectively] but not with changes in PWV, RRI and AI. The cross-sectional negative association of MR-proADM with DBP is in line with known vasodilatory properties of ADM. The positive association between MR-proADM and nighttime SBP at baseline may reflect endothelial dysfunction believed to be part of the pathogenesis of nocturnal hypertension. The association of higher baseline MR-proADM levels with increased SBP and PP at 3-year follow-up suggests that ADM levels could be a marker of cardiovascular risk.

Abstract P443: Role of miRNA-99a, endothelial mineralocorticoid receptor and CD36 in arterial stiffening

The surge in overweight and obesity rates has triggered a rise in metabolic syndrome cases and related cardiovascular diseases, including vascular stiffness and hypertension. We recently found that consumption of a high-fat/high-fructose Western diet (WD) increases the expression and activation of endothelial cell (EC) mineralocorticoid receptor (ECMR), which is associated with arterial oxidative stress, inflammation, remodeling, and vascular stiffening. However, the precise mechanisms by which enhanced activation of ECMR induces vascular stiffening remain to be elucidated. We hypothesize that miR-99a regulates the activated ECMR-induced upregulation of ECCD36 expression, which promotes vascular endothelial dysfunction and aortic stiffness. First, 16 weeks of WD inhibited miR-99a in the aorta which was prevented by additional spironolactone treatment. With bioinformatics, we predicted that miR-99a would target CD36 expression. To test our hypothesis that miR-99a, regulated by ECMR activation, may also directly affect CD36 mRNA expression in cultured ECs, we used miR-99a mimic or inhibitor to transfect ECs with or without palmitic acid treatment. miR-99a mimic also prevented palmitic acid-induced EC CD36 expression and lipid droplet formation. In vivo gene deletion of ECCD36 blunted WD-induced increases in pulse pressure and reduced vascular activity as well as aortic remodeling. These data indicate that the interaction of endothelial-specific ECMR/miRNA/ECCD36 mediates vascular endothelium dysfunction and prompts arterial stiffness.

Pengaruh Senam Lansia Terhadap Lansia Dengan Hipertensi di UPTD Puskesmas Sei Lekop Kabupaten Bintan

In the elderly, the cardiovascular system will experience changes, such as arteries losing their elasticity, which can cause an increase in pulse and systolic blood pressure. Elderly exercise utilizes movement by activating the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and increasing the release of various hormones which cause the individual's condition to relax. Elderly exercise is a physical activity that is useful for eliminating fat and cholesterol in blood vessels. This exercise is rarely carried out routinely at research sites. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of elderly exercise on hypertension in the elderly at the Sei Lekop Community Health Center. This study used a pre-experimental research design with a one group pre-post test design with probability sampling, involving 31 elderly people with hypertension. Blood pressure was measured with a spygmomanometer and elderly exercise was carried out according to procedures. Data analysis was carried out using paired t-test. The results showed that the average blood pressure before the intervention was 150.00/94.48 mmHg, whereas after the intervention the average blood pressure was 140.48/90.48 mmHg, with a p value = 0.001 for systolic pressure and 0.003 for diastolic pressure, so it was proven that there was a significant influence on blood pressure before and after the elderly exercise intervention was given to the elderly at the Sei Lekop Community Health Center. It is hoped that elderly exercise can be used and become a work program at the Community Health Center which is carried out routinely for both elderly people with hypertension and those who are healthy.

Pathophysiology of carotid atherosclerosis: Calcification, intraplaque haemorrhage and pulse pressure as key players

PurposeIntraplaque haemorrhage (IPH) is a well-known risk factor for faster plaque progression (volume increase); however, its etiology is unclear. We aimed at determining what other local plaque- and systemic factors contribute to plaque progression and to the development and progression of IPH. MethodsWe examined 98 asymptomatic participants with carotid plaque using serial multi-contrast magnetic resonance imaging. We measured the percent of wall volume (%WV=100 x [wall volume] / [total vessel volume]) and measured IPH and calcification volumes. We used generalized estimating equations-based regression to analyze predictors of %WV change and new IPH while accounting for covariates (sex, age and statin use), and multiple non-independent observations per participant. ResultsTotal follow-up was 1.8 ± 0.8 years on average. The presence of IPH (β: 0.6 %/y, p = 0.033) and calcification (β: 1.2 %/y, p = 0.028) were each associated with faster plaque progression. New IPH, detected on a subsequent scan in 4 % of arteries that did not initially have IPH, was associated with larger calcification (odds ratio [OR]: 2.6 per 1-SD increase, p = 0.038) and higher pulse pressure (OR: 2.3 per 1-SD increase, p = 0.016). Larger calcification was associated with greater increases in pulse pressure (β: 1.4 mm Hg/y per 1-SD increase, p = 0.040). ConclusionsIPH and calcification are each independently associated with faster plaque progression. The association of carotid calcification to increased pulse pressure and new IPH development suggests a possible mechanism by which calcification drives IPH development and plaque progression.

Evaluation of Exposure to Bisphenol Analogs through Canned and Ready-to-Eat Meal Consumption and Their Possible Effects on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate.

Bisphenols are endocrine-disrupting chemicals used in plastics and resins for food packaging. This study aimed to evaluate the exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (BPF) associated with the consumption of fresh, canned, and ready-to-eat meals and determine the effects of bisphenols on blood pressure and heart rate. Forty-eight healthy young adults were recruited for this study, and they were divided into the following three groups: fresh, canned, and ready-to-eat meal groups. Urine samples were collected 2, 4, and 6 h after meal consumption, and blood pressure and heart rate were measured. The consumption of ready-to-eat meals significantly increased urine BPA concentrations compared with canned and fresh meal consumption. No significant difference in BPS and BPF concentrations was observed between the groups. The consumption of ready-to-eat meals was associated with a significant increase in systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure and a marked decrease in diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. No significant differences were noted in blood pressure and heart rate with canned and fresh meal consumption. It can be concluded that total BPA concentration in consumed ready-to-eat meals is high. High BPA intake causes increase in urinary BPA concentrations, which may, in turn, lead to changes in some cardiovascular parameters.

Residential proximity to agricultural pesticide use and cardiovascular disease risk factors among adult Latina women in California's Salinas Valley.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. There is limited evidence that exposure to current-use pesticides may contribute to cardiovascular disease risk. We examined the association between residential proximity to the application of agricultural pesticides and cardiovascular risk factors among 484 adult women in the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) study, a cohort based in an agricultural region of California. Outcome assessment was completed between 2010 and 2013. Using participant residential addresses and California's Pesticide Use Reporting database, we estimated agricultural pesticide use within one km of residences during the 2-year period preceding outcome assessment. We used Bayesian Hierarchical Modeling to evaluate associations between exposure to 14 agricultural pesticides and continuous measures of waist circumference, body mass index, and blood pressure. Each 10-fold increase in paraquat application around homes was associated with increased diastolic blood pressure (β=2.60 mm Hg, 95% Credible Interval (CrI): 0.27-4.89) and each 10-fold increase in glyphosate application was associated with increased pulse pressure (β=2.26 mm Hg, 95% CrI: 0.09-4.41). No meaningful associations were observed for the other pesticides examined. Our results suggest that paraquat and glyphosate pesticides may affect cardiovascular disease development in women with chronic environmental exposure.

#2534 Classification of patients with acute kidney damage on the base of blood pressure value as a risk factor using a neural network

Abstract Background and Aims In acute kidney damage, the monitoring of hemodynamic status is best achieved by determining the blood pressure value. It is considered that the values of diastolic blood pressure in young and healthy people are constant from the aorta to the periphery, and the values of systolic and pulse pressure increase from the periphery to the aorta. The frequency of hypertension correlates with the presence of a cardiovascular precipitating risk factor in acute kidney injury, hypertension is also a modifying risk factor in the second and third stages of acute kidney injury, while the presence of hypotension on admission can be a clinical indicator of its cause. In patients with acute kidney damage and in patients with sepsis, the mechanism of autoregulation of mean arterial pressure, which is affected by stroke volume and heart rate, is not effective. The aim of the paper is to examine the classification of hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury based on blood pressure as a risk factor. Method The study included 86 patients over 18 years of age of both sexes (39 men 45.3% and 47 women 54.7%) with an average age of 66.85 ± 15.30 years who were diagnosed with acute kidney injury on admission to hospital treatment. Patients were divided into groups according to the stages of renal insufficiency. The study was designed as a cross-sectional comparative study. The assessment of the existence of acute kidney damage, as well as the determination of the stage of the disease, was based on the diagnostic criteria proposed by the K/DIGO expert group for acute kidney damage. The study did not include patients who had disease progression after acute kidney failure and were treated with dialysis for more than three months. Basic clinical, biochemical and hemodynamic parameters were determined in all subjects at the beginning of treatment, except for the analysis of nitrogen status, which was determined both before and at the end of treatment. During the formation of the neural network (pattern recognition Mat Lab), the parameters of systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure normalized by min-max normalization to values from 0 to 1 were included. The data were randomly distributed into three categories: 80% for training, 10% for test, 10% for validation, which means that the parameters of 68 patients were used for training, 9 patients for validation and another 9 patients for the test. The number of input parameters is 33 to 39, while the number of output parameters is 2 in relation to treatment. Formed neural networks with different included blood pressure parameters, structures of 25 neurons in the hidden layer, with 55 and 15 epochs and with accuracy of 97.7% and 90.7% of patient classification. Results Our results show that 40.3% of patients in the third stage of acute kidney injury have hypertension. The lowest average values of systolic (108.44 ± 22.81 mmHg) and diastolic (65.56 ± 15.29 mmHg) blood pressure were experienced by patients in the first stage of acute kidney damage, and the lowest values of mean arterial pressure existed in the second stage of acute kidney damage (68.20 ± 44.96 mmHg) .Statistically significant risk factors for the development of the third stage of acute kidney damage in the multivariate analysis were patients older than 65 years, and mean arterial pressure values less than 65 mmHg. The confusion matrices showed that the classifiers adapted to the minimum and maximum values of systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure are well adapted and achieve satisfactory accuracy with 97.7% and 90.7%. Conclusion By comparing blood pressure parameters in hospitalized patients in relation to the stage of acute kidney damage, no statistically significant deviations were found. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that age over 65 was a significant independent risk factor for stage three acute kidney injury, while the multivariate model showed that risk factors for the development of stage three acute kidney injury were patients same age and middle arterial blood pressure less than 65 mmHg. Satisfactory accuracy of formed neural networks when classifying patients during validation training and test was also demonstrated.

Systolic Blood Pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure and Pulse Pressure and the Risk of Subclinical Myocardial Injury: The HUNT Study.

Subclinical myocardial injury expressed as higher cardiac troponin concentrations may represent an important intermediary between hypertension and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study aimed to assess the relative strength of associations between systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and pulse pressure, and subclinical myocardial injury, and how change in BP variables over time associates with subclinical myocardial injury. cTnl (cardiac troponin I) was measured in 32 968 participants of the fourth wave of the population-based cohort HUNT4 (Trøndelag Health Study) without a history of cardiovascular disease. An additional longitudinal analysis included participants from HUNT4 with BP measurements from HUNT3 (n=18 681). Associations between BP variables and cTnI concentrations were assessed by linear and logistic regression analyses. The median cTnI concentration was 1.6 ng/L (25th-75th percentiles, 0.6-3.1 ng/L), median age was 52 years (39.1-65.6 years), and 57% were female subjects. Cross-sectionally, only systolic BP categories ≥130 mm Hg associated with higher cTnI concentrations, compared with a reference systolic BP of <110 mm Hg. All categories of diastolic BP and pulse pressure were positively associated with higher cTnI concentrations when diastolic BP 70 to 79 mm Hg and pulse pressure <40 mm Hg were used as references, respectively. When comparing systolic BP, diastolic BP, and pulse pressure as continuous variables, cross-sectionally, pulse pressure most strongly associated with cTnI concentrations (P for all comparisons <0.001), whereas longitudinally, change in diastolic BP was most strongly associated with cTnI concentrations (P for all comparisons <0.05). Subjects with high pulse pressure and longitudinal increase in diastolic BP are at higher risk for subclinical myocardial injury.

RELATIONSHIP OF PARAMETERS OF CENTRAL HEMODYNAMICS AND ARTERIAL STIFFNESS WITH COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Objective: To conduct a correlation analysis of central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness parameters with cognitive functions in patients with essential hypertension (EH). Design and method: The study included 111 male and female patients with grades I–III AH according to the classification (ESC/ESH, 2018). The average age of the patients was 54.6±10.8 years, the average duration of AH was 8.8±5.52 years. The state of arterial stiffness was assessed by applanation tonometry using the SphygmoCor apparatus (AtCor Medical, Australia). Cognitive functions were assessed using neuro-psychological tests: the Mini-Cog test (drawing a clock, reproducing words) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA). Results: The correlation analysis between the parameters of central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness revealed a negative correlation between the pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the severity of cognitive impairment, in particular, with the overall Mini-Cog score (R=-0.24, p=0.01), as well as central pulse pressure (CPP) with a total score on the Mini-Cog test (R=-0.27, p=0.007). Conclusions: Thus, an increase in pulse wave velocity and central pulse pressure correlates with the severity of cognitive impairment in EH patients.

ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN GENETICALLY PREDICTED PULSE PRESSURE AND TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE: A MENDELIAN RANDOMIZATION STUDY

Objective: Large-artery stiffness (LAS) leads to an increased pulse pressure (PP) and is thought to induce target organ damage (TOD). However, causal associations of PP have not been unequivocally assessed in humans. We aimed to investigate the bi-directional associations between genetically predicted increased PP and phenotypes of TOD using Mendelian randomization (MR). Design and method: Bi-directional MR analyses were performed to investigate associations between genetically predicted PP and: left ventricular mass (LVM), myocardial interstitial fibrosis, heart failure (HF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), cognitive performance, brain white matter hyperintensities (WMH), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and preeclampsia (PrE). Multivariable MR was conducted to investigate the effect of PP on significant outcomes, independently of mean arterial pressure (MAP). Results: For a 10-mmHg increase in genetically-predicted PP, the odds ratios (ORs) were 1.113 (95%CI=1.085-1.137, P&lt;0.001) for HF, 1.075 (95%CI=1.048-1.103, P&lt;0.001) for CKD, 1.137 (95%CI=1.102-1.173, P&lt;0.001) for T2D, and 1.435 (95%CI=1.256-1.638, P&lt;0.001) for PrE. Similarly, a 10-mmHg increase in genetically-predicted PP was associated with a greater LVM (beta estimate=3.527 g/m2, 95%CI=3.026-4.028, P&lt;0.001). The association of genetically predicted PP on risk of HF, CKD and T2D was independent of genetically-predicted MAP. Bidirectional MR also supported a causal effect of genetically predicted log-odds of T2D on PP (beta estimate=0.527 mmHg, 0.396-0.658, P&lt;0.001), and PrE on PP (beta estimate=2.365 mmHg, 0.783-3.947, P=0.003) indicating a potential bidirectional relationship. Conclusions: We provide evidence supporting causal associations between PP and T2D, CKD, HF and increased risk of LV hypertrophy in humans, consistent with the deleterious effects of LAS on LV afterload and on microvascular integrity in low-resistance target organs. Early interventions aimed at lowering LAS may lead to lowering the risk of adverse outcomes.

Функціональні перебудови кардіогемодинаміки людини при морському кінетозі

Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv; e-mail: moiseyenkoev@gmail.com The purpose of the study was to determine the functional changes in cardiohemodynamics during dosed physical activity of a person in the conditions of sea storm kinetosis and features of cerebral biorhythms, this may indicate the development of modification rearrangements of the mechanisms of central regulation of the body’s functional systems. The research was carried out with the participation of 23 specialists of the Antarctic expedition (men aged 24 to 45 years). They crossed the Drake Passage by sea: sea turbulence - 7 points, the ship’s roll angle - 120, the duration of the crossing was 4 days. It was determined that a person’s stay in the conditions of a sea wave leads to changes in the mechanisms of vasoconstrictor regulation, this was indicated by inadequate blood pressure fluctuations during functional diagnostics and an increase in the load on the heart’s activity due to an increase in pulse and diastolic pressure and the lack of recovery dynamics after performing physical work. It was shown that as a result of marine kinetosis in the structure of cerebral biorhythms, the power of β1 and β2 rhythms in the projections of the cerebral cortex increases. Such changes may indicate a certain participation of central mechanisms in the reorganization of the regulation of functional reserves of cardiohemodynamics. It is assumed that when using medical devices for patients with a cardiac profile in conditions of seasickness, it is advisable to take into account the presence of features of changes in the central and regional regulation of blood circulation function.

Central Artery Hemodynamics in Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension and Effects of Anesthesia.

Systemic hypertension is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular, neurovascular, and renovascular diseases. Central artery stiffness is both an initiator and indicator of hypertension, thus revealing a critical relationship between the wall mechanics and hemodynamics. Mice have emerged as a critical animal model for studying effects of hypertension and much has been learned. Regardless of the specific mouse model, data on changes in cardiac function and hemodynamics are necessarily measured under anesthesia. Here, we present a new experimental-computational workflow to estimate awake cardiovascular conditions from anesthetized data, which was then used to quantify effects of chronic angiotensin II-induced hypertension relative to normotension in wild-type mice. We found that isoflurane anesthesia had a greater impact on depressing hemodynamics in angiotensin II-infused mice than in controls, which led to unexpected results when comparing anesthetized results between the two groups of mice. Through comparison of the awake simulations, however, in vivo relevant effects of angiotensin II-infusion on global and regional vascular structure, properties, and hemodynamics were found to be qualitatively consistent with expectations. Specifically, we found an increased in vivo vascular stiffness in the descending thoracic aorta and suprarenal abdominal aorta, leading to increases in pulse pressure in the distal aorta. These insights allow characterization of the impact of regionally varying vascular remodeling on hemodynamics and mouse-to-mouse variations due to induced hypertension.

Prognostic value of blood pressure in the acute period of hemispheric ischemic stroke

Aim. To study changes in blood pressure (BP) in patients with acute hemispheric ischemic stroke (AIS), to correlate BP in patients with AIS with BP in patients with chronic brain ischemia, and to study the association of various BP indices with stroke severity and recovery.Material and methods. We included 235 patients with hemispheric AIS (age 64±11 years; women, 41,3%). BP was assessed 6 times as follows: by patient’s self-measurement during the month before the stroke onset, in the ambulance, in the admission department, in the intensive care unit using 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (BPM), in the neurologic department (BPM), and 90 days after stroke. In patients with chronic cerebral ischemia (178 patients, age 62±13 years, 46,1% women), BP was assessed 3 times: by patient’s self-measurement during the month before hospitalization, in the admission department, and in the neurologic department (BPM).Results. Patients with AIS within the month before stroke had higher systolic and pulse pressure than patients with chronic cerebral ischemia. During the acute stroke period, patients with AIS despite reaching target systolic and diastolic BP had significantly increased variability of systolic and diastolic BP compared to patients with chronic brain ischemia. Systolic BP ≥160 mm Hg recorded consecutively in ambulance, in admission department, and in intensive care unit, as well as pulse pressure ≥60 mm Hg, and systolic BP variability ≥18 mm Hg recorded on day 1-2 and day 9-10, positively correlated with National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (r≥0,37, p≤0,0017) on day 10 and with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score (r≥0,29, p≤0,006) on day 90.Conclusion. Patients with hemispheric AIS had significantly higher systolic BP and pulse pressure within the month before stroke. During the first 10 days of AIS persistent increase in systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure, and BP variability was associated with more severe stroke and less favorable outcome. These results should be taken into account when administering antihypertensive treatment.

Clinical and biochemical predictors of longitudinal changes in left atrial structure and function: A general population study.

There is a need for better understanding the factors that modulate left atrial (LA) dysfunction. Therefore, we determined associations of clinical and biochemical biomarkers with serial changes in echocardiographic indexes of LA function in the general population. We measured LA maximal and minimal volume indexes (LAVImax and LAVImin) by echocardiography and LA reservoir strain (LARS) by two-dimensional speckle-tracking in 627 participants (mean age 50.8 years, 51.2% women) at baseline and after 4.8 years. During follow-up, LARS decreased significantly in men (-.90%, P=.033) but not in women (-.23%, P= .60). In stepwise regression analysis, stronger decrease in LARS over time was associated with male sex, a higher age, body mass index (BMI), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and serum insulin at baseline and with a greater increase in BMI and MAP over time (P≤.018). Similarly, an increased risk of developing or retaining abnormal LARS was observed in older participants, in subjects with a higher baseline BMI, MAP, heart rate (HR), troponin T and ΔMAP, and in those who used β-blockers at baseline. Both LAVImax and LAVImin increased significantly over time (P≤.0007). This increase was associated with a higher baseline age, pulse pressure and a lower HR at baseline and a greater increase in pulse pressure over time (P≤.029). Higher serum insulin and D-dimer were independently associated with a stronger increase in LAVImin (P≤.0034). Subclinical worsening in LA dysfunction was associated with older age, hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance and troponin T levels. Cardiovascular risk management strategies may delay LA deterioration.

Показатели суточного мониторинга артериального давления у лиц старческого возраста c хронической сердечной недостаточностью в зависимости от жесткости сосудов

INTRODUCTION: Measurement of arterial pressure (AP) is a standard method for assessing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Analysis of systolic and diastolic pressure, as well as their ratio, can help determine the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. One of the ways to diagnose elevatedarterial pressure is daily monitoring of arterial pressure (DMAP). An increase in AP in the elderly is usually associated with an increase in the stiffness of the vascular walls. This leads to an increase in systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and pulse pressure (PP), as well as a decrease in diastolic arterial pressure (DAP). Elevated arterial pressure enhances the load on the heart and can lead to its pathological alterations. A decrease in DAP impairs the blood supply to the heart, which can cause ischemia and fibrosis; the result isdevelopment of diastolic dysfunction, which is the main cause of chronic heart failure (CHF). Currently, a promising way to determine the arterial stiffness is measurement of a cardio-ankle vascular index.The prognostic and diagnostic value of this parameter has been confirmed by numerous studies. It is important to study the parameters of the daily AP profile and arterial stiffness in older patients with CHF. This permits to identify malignant forms of elevated blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular complications. AIM: To study the characteristics of the parameters of the daily arterial pressure profile in elderly patients with CHF, depending on the vascular stiffness determined by volume sphygmography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty elderly patients with CHF undergoing treatment in a cardiology hospital were examined. By the method of volume sphygmography, the patients were divided into groups with ‘vessels of normal stiffness’ (group 1) and ‘stiff vessels’ (group 2), with subsequentDMAP. A statistical analysis of the parameters of the daily AP profile in the groups was performed. RESULTS: In patients of group 1, both daytime and nighttime SAP, DAP and PP, were significantly higher than in patients of group 2. Besides, in group 1, there was a nighttime decrease in SAP and DAP, while the morning rise of SAP was statistically higher in group 2, and no differences were recorded between the groups in the morning rise of DAP. When assessing the ankle-brachial index in patients of group 2, daytime and nighttime SAP and DAP were statistically higher. In group 1 (with probable peripheral atherosclerosis), PP was higher both during the day and at night. The nocturnal decrease in SAP was statistically higher in group 2, while the nocturnal decrease in DAP prevailed in group 1. The morning rise of SAP and DAP was higher in group 1. CONCLUSION: The DMAP data may indicate to some extent the severity of hypertension in patients with CHF, and this probably depends on the ‘stiffness of the vessels’. In elderly patients with CHF with ‘normal stiffness’ of vessels, the parameters of the daily arterial pressure profile were higher than in patients with ‘stiff vessels’. However, the daily range of parameters of the daily arterial pressure profile was greater in the group of patients with ‘stiff vessels’ (group 2).

Clinical Predictors of Pulsatile Tinnitus in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: An Age-Matched Cohort Study.

Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) occurs in many but not all patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). It is poorly understood why some patients with IIH develop PT, yet others do not. The purpose of this study was to determine if any clinical findings differ between those with and without PT in IIH, potentially shedding light on a pathophysiologic mechanism. Age-matched cohort analysis of patients with documented IIH and presence or absence of PT was performed, collecting data including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, visual acuity, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure, sleep apnea, migraines, and transient visual obscurations, among others. Independent-sample t test and χ2 test were used to analyze continuous and binary variables, respectively, with multivariate analysis conducted including variables statistically significant on univariate analysis. Eighty subjects with IIH met the inclusion criteria (40 PT+, 40 PT-). CSF opening pressure showed no significant difference between the two groups. The PT+ cohort was found to have an average BMI of 45.1 kg/m 2 , which was significantly higher than the PT- group (37.7 kg/m 2 ; p = 0.0023). PT+ pulse pressure (60.1 mm Hg) was also significantly higher than the PT- group (51.6 mm Hg; p = 0.019). PT+ patients were also significantly more likely to have sleep apnea ( p < 0.001) and migraines ( p = 0.0036). Multiple logistic regression revealed an adjusted odds ratio of 13.9 for sleep apnea, 4.1 for migraines, and 1.01 for every increase in unit of BMI. Among patients with IIH, presence of PT is associated with higher BMI and pulse pressure, and increased incidence of sleep apnea and migraines. Given no significant difference in CSF pressures between the two groups, PT may not be a product of increased disease severity but may be related to sequelae of obesity, such as increased pulse pressure and sleep apnea.

Macroscale neurovascular coupling and functional integration in end-stage renal disease patients with cognitive impairment: A multimodal MRI study.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is associated with vascular and neuronal dysfunction, causing neurovascular coupling (NVC) dysfunction, but how NVC dysfunction acts on the mechanism of cognitive impairment in ESRD patients from local to remote is still poorly understood. We recruited 48 ESRD patients and 35 demographically matched healthy controls to scan resting-state functional MRI and arterial spin labeling, then investigated the four types of NVC between amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), fractional ALFF, regional homogeneity, degree centrality, and cerebral blood perfusion (CBF), and associated functional networks. Our results indicated that ESRD patients showed NVC dysfunction in global gray matter and multiple brain regions due to the mismatch between CBF and neural activity, and associated disrupted functional connectivity (FC) within sensorimotor network (SMN), visual network (VN), default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN), and disrupted FC between them with limbic network (LN), while increased FC between SMN and DMN. Anemia may affect the NVC of middle occipital gyrus and precuneus, and increased pulse pressure may result in disrupted FC with SMN. The NVC dysfunction of the right precuneus, middle frontal gyrus, and parahippocampal gyrus and the FC between the right angular gyrus and the right anterior cingulate gyrus may reflect cognitive impairment in ESRD patients. Our study confirmed that ESRD patients may exist NVC dysfunction and disrupted functional integration in SMN, VN, DMN, SNand LN, serving as one of the mechanisms of cognitive impairment. Anemia and increased pulse pressure may be related risk factors.