Non-dipping Blood Pressure Research Articles

Nighttime Blood Pressure Dipping is Attenuated in Young and Apparently Healthy Black Adults Compared to White Adults

In America, Black adults are 30% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to White adults, and more than half of this racial disparity in CVD‐related mortality may be attributed to the substantially greater prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) in Black adults. Furthermore, compared to White adults with hypertension, Black adults with hypertension are less likely to exhibit a nocturnal reduction in BP (i.e., “dipping”). Importantly, non‐dipping BP is associated with target organ damage and increased CVD risk. However, it is unclear whether young and apparently healthy Black adults exhibit reduced BP dipping compared to their White peers.PURPOSETherefore, the purpose of this preliminary investigation was to determine whether there are racial differences in BP dipping using ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), including 24‐hour‐, daytime‐, and nighttime‐BP, in young and apparently healthy Black and White adults.METHODSWe obtained clinical BP and 24‐hour ABPM readings in 10 self‐identified White adults (5M/5F; age: 21.6±4.4 yrs; BMI: 23.8±2.9 kg/m2; Mean±SD) and 7 self‐identified Black adults (3M/4F; age: 21.7±3.5 yrs; BMI: 25.1±2.8 kg/m2). The ABPM monitors were programmed to record BP every 20 and 30 minutes during each participants daytime‐ and nighttime‐period, respectively. True daytime‐ and nighttime‐BP periods were adjusted during analysis based upon participant activity logs. We defined “non‐dipping” as a failure to achieve a dipping ratio of <0.90 (night‐to‐day BP ratio). BP data were compared using independent t‐tests and the Fisher’s exact test was used to compare dipping frequency between races (α=0.05).RESULTSClinically measured BP (systolic/diastolic) was not different (P>0.05) between White (117±9/67±6 mmHg) and Black (124±12/70±9 mmHg) adults. There was also no difference (P>0.05) in 24‐hour‐BP between White (117±11/66±7 mmHg) and Black (114±14/63±7 mmHg) adults. Likewise, daytime‐BP was not different (P>0.05) between White (122±12/71±8 mmHg) and Black (116±14/66±8 mmHg) participants, nor was there a difference in nighttime‐BP (P>0.05) between White (102±9/51±4 mmHg) and Black (105±13/54±7 mmHg) adults. However, systolic BP dipping was attenuated (P=0.04) in Black (0.90±0.05) compared to White (0.84±0.07) adults. Non‐dipping of systolic BP was observed in 5 of 7 Black participants and 2 of 10 White participants (P=0.06). Diastolic BP dipping in Black adults was 0.79±0.06 and White adults was 0.73±0.09 (P=0.05). Non‐dipping of diastolic BP was observed in 1 of 7 Black participants and 1 of 10 White participants (P=1.00).CONCLUSIONSThese preliminary data suggest that despite similar clinical and 24‐hour ambulatory BP compared to White adults, young and apparently healthy Black adults exhibit impaired BP dipping, which may contribute to increased likelihood of CVD.

Conditional deletion of the glucocorticoid receptor in vascular smooth muscle disrupts the circadian rhythm of vascular reactivity and reduces blood pressure

Glucocorticoids synchronise peripheral clocks with the master clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in response to the ambient light cycle. In humans and mice, arrhythmic glucocorticoids induce non‐dipping blood pressure and vascular dysfunction. The mechanisms of this are poorly understood. We hypothesize that arrhythmic activation of the glucocorticoid receptor attenuates the circadian clock signalling in the vasculature leading to changes in blood pressure. To test this hypothesis, we assessed vascular function and blood pressure rhythms in control mice and mice with smooth muscle specific deletion of the glucocorticoid receptor (SMGRKO).Renal and mesenteric arteries were isolated at 7am (ZT0; lights on) and 7pm (ZT12; lights off), mounted on a wire myograph and the responses to increasing doses of phenylephrine or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) assessed. In wild‐type mice, the sensitivity of the renal artery to phenylephrine‐mediated contraction was greater at ZT12 than at ZT0, by comparing the half maximal effective concentration of each group, (logEC50: 7.54±0.26 versus 7.29±0.17 respectively; p=0.04). The sensitivity to SNP‐mediated relaxation was also greater when measured at ZT12 compared to ZT0 (7.64±0.3 versus 7.09±0.5; p=0.03). Similar responses were also detected in the mesenteric arteries. In SMGRKO mice, the temporal differences in renal and mesenteric artery vascular reactivity were absent. We used radiotelemetry to assess the effect of this altered rhythm of vascular reactivity on blood pressure. SMGRKO had significantly lower systolic blood pressure throughout the 24h cycle compared to wild‐type littermates, both when lights were off (107.9 ± 22.13 versus 136.3 ± 17.17 mmHg respectively; p=0.015) and during the lights on period (99.6 ± 13.16 versus 118 ± 15.9 mmHg; p=0.014). Blood pressure rhythmicity was not altered in SMGRKO mice.These data show that the glucocorticoid receptor signalling in vascular smooth muscle contributes both to the diurnal variation of vascular reactivity and to blood pressure, but loss of the receptor does not affect blood pressure rhythm. Whether glucocorticoid receptor deletion in smooth muscle protects against non‐dipping blood pressure induced by glucocorticoids needs further investigation.

Hemodiyaliz Hastalarında Yüksek Serum Ürik Asit/HDL-Kolesterol Oranı Kardiyovasküler Risk ile İlişkilidir

Aim: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease in which frequent cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities. High uric acid to HDL-cholesterol ratio (UHR) results were quite notable in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the UHR results in dialysis patients.
 Materials and Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted with CKD patients, and the control group consisted of hypertensive patients with a normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Patients’ laboratory, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and demographic records were obtained from the follow-up cases of two university hospitals’ internal medicine and nephrology departments. The patients' group then were divided into five subsets according to GFR. 
 Results: A total of 124 CKD patients and 127 control participated in this study. All CKD patients were also identified as pre-dialysis and dialysis. The cases of UHR, non-dipper blood pressure pattern, and nocturnal heart rate (HR) were increased in CKD compared to the control group. Per disease progression, the non-dipper HR and nocturnal HR were more significant in patients receiving dialysis with high UHR than in the pre-dialysis subset. In diabetic patients with an on-targeted HbA1c, those with high UHRs still had nocturnal diastolic BP elevations. Finally, there was not an exact stage-specific result for pulse wave velocity.
 Conclusions: Based on our results, dialysis patients with high UHRs have higher non-dipper PR, nocturnal heart rate, and nocturnal diastole blood pressure, associated with CV risk. Moreover, effective diabetic management might not prevent CV risk in dialysis patients with high UHRs.

Aortic knob width is associated with non-dipping blood pressure pattern

Background: Aortic knob width (AKW) is the measurement of the radiographic configuration composed of the foreshortened aortic arch and a part of the descending aorta. We investigated the relationship between the nondipper pattern and AKW. Material and methods: All patients’ office blood pressure measurements and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure readings were recorded. A blood pressure drop of less than 10% was defined as non-dipping. The patients were grouped into Group 1; dipper pattern (37 patients; 22F, and mean age 49.2 ± 11.7 yrs) and Group 2; non-dipper pattern (64 patients; 37F, and mean age 53.7 ± 13.1 yrs). On posteroanterior chest radiography, the widest point of the aortic knob was measured along the straight imaginary line from the lateral edge of the trachea to the left lateral wall of the aortic arch. Results: AKW was significantly higher in Group 2 compared to group 1 (36.7 ± 5.7 vs. 30.7 ± 4.5 mm, p < 0.001). The mean daytime and night-time systolic blood pressures, the mean night-time diastolic blood pressure levels, 24-hour mean blood pressure and mean pulse pressures were higher; percentage of nocturnal drops was significantly lower in Group 2 compared to Group 1. AKW was determined to be the parameter that was mostly related to the non-dipper pattern. A ROC analysis revealed that the area under the curve values for AKW values of non-dippers were 0.796 (95% CI: 0.707–0.884, p < 0.001). Conclusion: AKW is significantly higher in non-dipper individuals compared to dippers. AKW values above 32.6 mm on the chest radiograph may be associated with non-dipper pattern especially in hypertensive individuals.

Порівняння впливу фіксованої комбінації периндоприл/амлодипін на ураження органів-мішеней у пацієнтів з артеріальною гіпертензією з ішемічною хворобою серця та без неї (результати дослідження EPHES)

Дослідження EPHES (Evaluation of influence of fixed dose combination Рerindopril/Amlodipine on target organ damage in patients with arterial HypErtension with or without iSchemic heart di­sease — оцінка впливу фіксованої комбінації периндоприл/амлодипін на ураження органів-мішеней у пацієнтів з артеріальною гіпертензією (АГ) з ішемічною хворобою серця (ІХС) та без неї) мало за мету порівняти ефективність фіксованої комбінації (ФК) периндоприл/амлодипін щодо зниження артеріального тиску (АТ) та динаміки вираженості ураження органів-мішеней у хворих на АГ з ІХС та без неї. Матеріали та методи. У дослідження EPHES було включено 60 пацієнтів з АГ віком старше від 30 років: перша група — 30 пацієнтів без ІХС, друга — 30 пацієнтів, які мали ІХС. Строк спостереження становив 12 місяців. Усім пацієнтам у день рандомізації призначали ФК периндоприл/амлодипін у початковій дозі 5/5 мг один раз на добу. При необхідності (АТ > 140/90 мм рт.ст.) дози компонентів ФК збільшували поступово кожні 2 тижні до 10/10 мг, а після 6 тижнів лікування додавався індапамід 1,5 мг. 66,7 та 96,7 % пацієнтів в першій та другій групах відповідно отримували бета-адреноблокатори. Усім пацієнтам проводили: вимірювання маси тіла та зросту, офісних рівнів систолічного АТ (САТ), діастолічного АТ (ДАТ) та частоти серцевих скорочень (ЧСС), добове моніторування АТ, визначення швидкості поширення пульсової хвилі в артеріях еластичного (ШППХе) та м’язового типів, центрального САТ, стандартизованого до ЧСС 75 уд/ хв індексу аугментації (Аіх75), біохімічне дослідження крові, електрокардіографію, ехокардіографію з допплерографією, вимірювання гомілково-плечового індексу, визначення товщини комплексу інтима-­медіа (ТКІМ). Результати. Встановлено, що призначена терапія на основі ФК периндоприл/амлодипін незалежно від наявності або відсутності ІХС ефективно (до цільових рівнів) та безпечно знижувала офісний, середньодобовий, денний, нічний та центральний АТ. При цьому достовірно зменшувалися початково підвищені денна та нічна варіабельність АТ, величина ранкового підйому САТ та частка пацієнтів з добовим профілем АТ типу «нон-дипер», проте ці показники залишалися достовірно більшими у пацієнтів з ІХС на всіх етапах лікування. Хворі з ІХС та без неї не відрізнялися за початковою величиною АІх75, і на фоні призначеної терапії спостерігалося достовірне зменшення цього показника в обох групах, проте у хворих з ІХС це зменшення АІх75 було достовірно меншим, ніж у групі без ІХС, що, імовірно, було пов’язано з більш частим застосуванням бета-блокаторів. Ефективне щодо зниження АТ лікування призводило в обох групах до достовірного зменшення ураження органів-мішеней — покращення пружно-еластичних властивостей аорти та діастолічної функції лівого шлуночка, зменшення рівня альбумінурії, гіпертрофії лівого шлуночка та розміру лівого передсердя. Ступінь зниження ШППХе був достовірно (Р < 0,005) меншим у пацієнтів без ІХС, ніж у групі з ІХС — 2,5 ± 0,2 м/с проти 4,4 ± 0,5 м/с. Окрім того, незважаючи на однаковий ступінь зменшення індексу маси міокарда лівого шлуночка, покращення діастолічної функції лівого шлуночка (збільшення Е/А та зменшення Е/Е’) у групі хворих з ІХС було більшим — на 64,4 та 54,1 % проти 39,8 та 23,2 % відповідно (Р < 0,05 для обох показників). Максимальна величина ТКІМ достовірно зменшилася лише в пацієнтів з ІХС. Терапія не призводила до достовірних змін біохімічних показників та добре переносилася хворими — побічні явища зареєстровані у 2 (6,5 %) в групі без ІХС та у 3 (10 %) у групі з ІХС (Р = НД між групами). Групи достовірно не відрізнялися за динамікою скарг, і серед пацієнтів з ІХС, які мали стенокардію на початку дослідження, значно зменшилася кількість приступів стенокардії за тиждень — з 2,5 ± 0,4 до 1,2 ± 0,2 (Р < 0,01). Висновки. Отже, лікування АГ на основі ФК периндоприл/амлодипін було ефективним щодо зниження АТ та регресу ураження органів-мішеней незалежно від наявності ІХС. Зміни показників, що характеризують ураження органів-мішеней, дещо відрізнялися в пацієнтів з ІХС та без неї, що необхідно враховувати при виборі тактики лікування.

Fibrosis-4 index: A new marker to predict non-dipper blood pressure pattern in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension

Introduction: Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between the fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4 index) and EFT in newly-diagnosed hypertensive patients and explore the usability of the FIB-4 index in predicting non-dipper blood pressure (BP) pattern. Materials and methods: Our case–control study consisted of 210 patients in 3 groups according to BP values, namely normotensive, dipper, and non-dipper groups. Transthoracic echocardiography and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring were performed in all patients. Results: The median FIB-4 index was higher in the non-dipper group [1.56 (1.10-2)] than in the dipper [1 (0.71-1.32)] and normotensive groups [0.96 (0.69-1.32)] (p < 0.001, for both). A positive correlation was observed between EFT and the FIB-4 index (r=0.389, p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, EFT (odds ratio (OR): 0.506, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.288-2.135; p<0.001) and FIB-4 index (OR: 1.099, 95% CI: 1.621–5.556; p<0.001) were found to be independent predictors of non-dipper BP. In the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the FIB-4 index had 68% sensitivity and 72% specificity at a value >1.25 (area under the curve: 0.751, 95%CI: 0.679-0.823, p<0.001). Conclusions: In newly-diagnosed hypertensive people, the FIB-4 index is related to non-dipper BP patterns. FIB-4 index appears to be a helpful tool in assessing risk associated with cardiovascular disease.

Effects of circadian blood pressure patterns on development of microvascular complications in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Purpose The effects of circadian blood pressure (BP) alterations on the development and progression of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients are unknown. We evaluated the effects of circadian BP alterations with development of microvascular complications during follow-up with patients with childhood-onset T1DM.Methods We investigated the medical records of 81 pediatric patients with T1DM who underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) between January 2009 and February 2010.Results Mean age at diagnosis and ABPM evaluation was 8.0±3.9 and 15.6±2.4 years, respectively. Hypertension (daytime, nighttime, and 24-hour mean hypertension) data were available in 42 patients. During the 8 years of follow-up after ABPM, microvascular complications occurred in 8 patients (diabetic retinopathy [DR] alone in 5, microalbuminuria alone in 2, and both in 1), of whom 7 had nondipper BP. Nighttime diastolic BP, nighttime mean arterial pressure, and glycated hemoglobin A (HbA1c) level were higher in patients with DR than in those without DR (P<0.05 for all). Daytime or nighttime BP and presence of dipper BP were not related to microvascular complications, but diabetic microvascular complications were more likely to occur in patients with an older age at diagnosis and higher HbA1c level. The proportion of patients with DR was higher in those with nondipper hypertension (83.3%) compared with dipper and nondipper normotension (0% and 16.7%, respectively; P=0.021).Conclusions As a predictor of microvascular complications, nondipper hypertension was not significant. Glycemic control rather than nondipper hypertension is the predominant factor determining DR in T1DM patients.

Clinical characteristics of two groups commonly referred to an Irish hypertension service-patients with resistant hypertension and young adults with hypertension.

The management of hypertension is primarily performed in primary care settings in many health systems. However, two groups of patients often require specialist input: patients with resistant hypertension (RH) and young adults with hypertension. To elucidate these groups by examining the characteristics of patients attending an Irish hypertension service, thus informing future management of hypertension. Patients were recruited at consecutive hypertension clinics at St James Hospital, Dublin from July to September 2019. Following patient consent, patient data were recorded to identify patient characteristics as well as the results of investigations, blood pressure (BP) measurements and the anti-hypertensive treatment of the study participants which were then analysed. Two hundred thirty-six patients were included in the study. Compared to those without RH, the RH group were more likely to be obese (OR 2.59 [95% CI 1.06 to 6.33]), to have cardiovascular disease (OR 3.07 [95% CI 1.56 to 6.02]) and to have a non-dipping BP pattern (OR 3.86 [95% CI 1.57 to 9.47]). Young adults comprised 27% of the cohort. Forty-seven percent of these patients were obese, 15.9% had hypertension in pregnancy and 22.2% had chronic headaches. Despite being prescribed less anti-hypertensives (1.41 vs 2.28; p < 0.05), the majority of young patients had a BP less than 140/90mmHg, comparing favourably with older patients (OR 2.25 [95% CI 1.20 to 4.27]). This contemporary study highlights the high prevalence of obesity among RH patients and young adults with hypertension. Findings suggest that programs to combat hypertension must include interventions to address obesity.

Left ventricular function in hypertensive diabetic patients in Morocco: Overall longitudinal strain and diastolic function

Type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for congestive heart failure. Recent data judge that a decrease in left ventricular longitudinal myocardial deformity as well as diastolic dysfunction are apparent in the early stages of diabetic cardiomyopathy and this regardless of the presence of hypertension in type 2 diabetic patients. The objective of this study was to characterize left ventricular function in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes with a normal ejection fraction and to relate these results to pathogenic cardiovascular risk factors. A prospective study carried out at the Ibn Rochd University Hospital in Casablanca between March 2019 and March 2021, including hypertensive diabetics, with a duration of the two diseases greater than 1 year without coronary heart disease, or low left ventricular fraction ejection. We performed laboratory workup including microalbuminuria, glycated hemoglobin, ECG, echocardiography, and 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure. To the diabetic group was added a group of non-diabetic hypertensive controls. Diabetic patients had significantly higher blood pressure, compared to the control group. Left atrium, mitral A wave velocity, and left ventricular mass were significantly higher in subjects with diabetes, and the E/A ratio was significantly lower than in control subjects. In 22.22% of hypertensive diabetic patients, an alteration in SGL was observed versus 9.5% in the control group. In the group of diabetic patients, SGL was significantly correlated with left ventricular mass, and uncontrolled glycated hemoglobin Patients with diastolic dysfunction had significantly higher levels of microalbuminuria, heart rate and nondipper blood pressure. Longitudinal systolic deformity was linked in hypertensive diabetic patients to left ventricular mass and glycated hemoglobin level, as well as diastolic dysfunction is mainly linked to microalbuminuria.

Impaired nocturnal blood pressure dipping in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with microvascular complications

Hypertension is a common comorbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Both conditions are associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, which is reduced by tight blood pressure (BP) and glycemic control. However, non-dipping BP status continues to be an enduring cardiovascular risk factor in T2DM. This study aimed to investigate the association between microvascular complications of diabetes and nocturnal dipping of BP. We compared 13 type 2 diabetic patients with (DM+) and 67 diabetic patients without (DM−) manifest microvascular disease. BP dipping status was assessed from 24-hour ambulatory BP measurements. DM+ patients were older 60.3 ± 8.7 years vs. 58.3 ± 10.4 years ( P = 0.47). There was no significant difference between the two groups in diabetes control, clinical systolic BP and clinical diastolic BP. Dyslipidemia was significantly more present in DM+, 84.7% vs. 47.8% ( P = 0.015). DM+ patients had significantly higher daytime and 24-hour mean SBP than DM− patients with P = 0.02 and 0.023 respectively. Pulse pressure was significantly ( P = 0.03) higher in DM+. The nocturnal blood pressure profile in DM+ was “non-dipper” and “reverse dipper” respectively in 69% and 15% of patients versus 27% and 11% in DM− ( P = 0.003; P = 0.026). Our findings once again highlighted the importance of ambulatory BP monitoring and targeted antihypertensive therapy directed toward to restore normal circadian BP in patients with T2DM.

Aspects of Non-Dipping Blood Pressure Variations in Juvenile, Middle-Aged, And Adult Kazakhs

Aspects of Non-Dipping Blood Pressure Variations in Juvenile, Middle-Aged, And Adult Kazakhs

Association of nocturnal subconjunctival hemorrhage and non-dipper blood pressure pattern: A benign clue for serious diseases.

To evaluate the association between non-dipper blood pressure pattern and subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH). Twenty-seven consecutive patients with nocturnal SCH and 27 age, sex-matched controls were enrolled. Demographic, blood parameters, office blood pressure measurements, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were evaluated. Mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for nighttime (65.03 ± 7.1 vs. 70.78 ± 10.5, p: 0.22), mean heart rate for nighttime (64.54 ± 8.26 vs. 69.93 ± 9.85, p: 0.034), Minimum Systolic Blood pressure(SBP) and DBP values for nighttime (92.44 ± 9.72 vs. 99.44 ± 10.66, p:0.015 and 51.15 ± 8.31 vs. 57.7 ± 11.2, p: 0.018) were higher, nocturnal fall ratio of SBP and DBP were significantly lower in the SCH ( + ) group compared to SCH (-) group (5.38 ± 8.39 vs. 10.34 ± 6.08, p: 0.016 and 4.26 ± 8.92 vs. 13.78 ± 6.97, p < 0001 respectively). Ten patients (37%) in the SCH (-) group and 18 patients (66.7%) in the SCH ( + ) group were non-dippers (p: 0.029). Mean daytime SBP and DBP were higher compared to office measurements of 4 patients (14.8%) in the SCH (-) group and 11 patients (40.7%) in the SCH ( + ) group (p: 0.033). SCH had a strong association with non-dipper blood pressure pattern, higher nocturnal heart rate and masked hypertension which are precursors of myocardial infarction, stroke and renal failure. So, SCH should be considered as a clue for serious diseases such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke and patients should be evaluated for ABPM.

The association between nondipper pattern and perioperative hypertension in patients with controlled hypertension.

Perioperative hypertension is a frequent complication even in preoperatively normotensive or controlled hypertensive patients and there is a lack of data regarding the effect of nondipping pattern on perioperative hypertension. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible effect of nondipping blood pressure pattern on the risk of perioperative hypertension. 234 hypertensive patients who underwent surgery with general anesthesia were evaluated prospectively. The study enrolled patients with well-controlled preoperative blood pressure. The 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results were used to classify patients as dippers and nondippers. Perioperative hypertension is defined as a systolic/diastolic arterial blood pressure greater than or equal to 160/90 mmHg or systolic blood pressure elevated by more than 20% from the patient's baseline level for more than 15 min perioperatively. There were 61 (26%) nondipper patients [mean age: 62.1 ± 7.1 years, 25 (40.9%) men] and 173 (74%) dipper patients [mean age: 61.4 ± 8.1 years, 83 (47.9%) men]. In the nondipper group, perioperative hypertension was observed in 31 (51.3%) patients, whereas in the dipper group, 33 (19.3%) patients experienced a hypertensive attack (P < 0.001). The independent predictors of perioperative hypertension were the presence of the nondipping pattern [odds ratio (OR) 3.084; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.831-5.195; P < 0.001], the presence of diabetes mellitus (OR 2.059; 95% CI 1.215-3.490; P = 0.007), and the number of drugs (OR 2.317; 95% CI 1.102-5.097; P = 0.027). The frequency of perioperative hypertension was higher in preoperative normotensive and known hypertensive patients who were identified as nondippers. In addition, diabetes mellitus and number of drugs were found to be predictors of perioperative hypertension.

Fragmented QRS and blood pressure pattern in normotensive individuals with a history of preeclampsia

Background/Aim: Hypertension is well defined in preeclamptic individuals and those with a history of preeclampsia. However, the relationship between blood pressure pattern and fragmented QRS on electrocardiography (ECG) has not been elucidated in normotensive patients with a history of preeclampsia. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of non-dipper blood pressure (BP) patterns in normotensive individuals with a history of preeclampsia and to evaluate the relevance of this pattern to fragmented QRS (fQRS). Methods: Sixty-three normotensive (office BP measurement) patients with a history of preeclampsia were included in this study between August 2020 and January 2021. These individuals underwent 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. The patients were divided into two groups as dipper and non-dipper, according to their BP patterns. The two groups were compared in terms of echocardiographic parameters, laboratory values, and QRS fragmentation on ECG. Results: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) diagnosed by echocardiography (P= 0.015) and fQRS on ECG (P=0.002) were significantly higher in the non-dipper group than in the dipper group. Tricuspid regurgitation velocity (P=0.004) and average E/e' ratio (P

Blood pressure profiles in patients with arterial hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea in different age groups

Background. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is frequently associated with hypertension (HTN), and about 50 % hypertensive patients have concomitant OSA. Episodes of transient upper airway obstruction affect the daily blood pressure profile, leading to nocturnal HTN. Although the general relationship between OSA and the daily blood pressure profile is known, the association between the frequency of various daily blood pressure profiles and OSA severity as well as the age-specific differences remain unknown. The aim of the study was to determine the daily blood pressure profiles in patients with HTN and OSA, depending on the OSA severity and age. Design and methods. The study included 236 HTN patients underwent treatment in the period from 2008 to 2021 years and were diagnosed with OSA by cardiorespiratory monitoring: 84 patients had mild OSA (apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) &lt; 15 episodes/h), 46 patients — moderate OSA (15 ≤ AHI &lt; 30 episodes/h), and 106 patients — severe OSA (AHI ≥ 30 episodes/h). The control group included 140 HTN patients without OSA. Both groups were divided into 3 age subgroups: younger than 45 years, 45–59 years and ≥ 60 years. At baseline, all patients underwent cardiorespiratory monitoring (“Kardiotekhnika‑07–3/12P”, Inkart, St Petersburg, Russia) and 24-hour blood pressure (BP) monitoring (BPLab, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia). Results. We found an association between the distribution of daily BP profiles and age, which differs from that in HTN patients without OSA. Non-dipper and night-peaker BP profiles are predominant in young and middle age. Among OSA patients, the severity of OSA was associated with the BP profiles only in the young and middleage groups. Unfavorable BP profiles (non-dipper and night-peaker) were more common in patients with severe OSA, which was not observed in elderly subgroup. In the elderly, compared to younger patients, the overdipper profile was the most common and its frequency was not associated with OSA severity. Conclusions. The study shows the relationship between the age of patients with HTN and OSA, the OSA severity and the distribution of daily BP profiles.

Night-Time Non-dipping Blood Pressure and Heart Rate: An Association With the Risk of Silent Small Vessel Disease in Patients Presenting With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background and Purpose: Nocturnal non-dipping blood pressure and heart rate are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The effects of such variance on cerebrovascular disease have not been well studied.Methods: The 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) and heart rate were monitored with B-pro in patients with acute stroke within the initial week of hospital admission. The risk factor profiles, clinical presentation, imaging, and short-term prognosis were compared in nocturnal dippers and non-dippers (more than 10% nocturnal decrease) of blood pressure and heart rate.Results: We enrolled 234 patients in whom ABPM and MRI data were available. Heart rate data were available in 180 patients. Lacunar sub-cortical stroke was the most common acute lesion (58.9%), while hypertension (74%) and diabetes (41.5%) were the most common associated risk factors. ABPM revealed non-dipping in 69% of patients. On univariate analysis, Small Vessel Disease (SVD) was significantly more frequent in non-dippers vs. dippers (BP: 56.8 vs. 40.3% p = 0.02; heart rate: 57.9 vs. 40.7% p = 0.03). Silent strokes were also more frequent in non-dippers vs. dippers (BP: 40.7 vs. 26.4% p = 0.35; heart rate: 44.6 vs. 25.4% p = 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed SVD to be significantly related to age, hypertension, blood pressure non-dipping, and severity of symptoms at index event.Conclusions: The presence of nocturnal non-dipping of blood pressure and heart rate are associated with an increased risk of silent stroke and SVD. Increased use of ABPM may allow for improved diagnosis of non-dippers.

Supraphysiological Role of Melatonin Over Vascular Dysfunction of Pregnancy, a New Therapeutic Agent?

Hypertension can be induced by the disruption of factors in blood pressure regulation. This includes several systems such as Neurohumoral, Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone, the Circadian clock, and melatonin production, which can induce elevation and non-dipping blood pressure. Melatonin has a supraphysiological role as a chronobiotic agent and modulates vascular system processes via pro/antiangiogenic factors, inflammation, the immune system, and oxidative stress regulation. An elevation of melatonin production is observed during pregnancy, modulating the placenta and fetus’s physiological functions. Their impairment production can induce temporal desynchronization of cell proliferation, differentiation, or invasion from trophoblast cells results in vascular insufficiencies, elevating the risk of poor fetal/placental development. Several genes are associated with vascular disease and hypertension during pregnancy via impaired inflammatory response, hypoxia, and oxidative stress, such as cytokines/chemokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and impairment expression in endothelial cells/VSMCs of HIF1α and eNOS genes. Pathological placentas showed differentially expressed genes (DEG), including vascular genes as CITED2, VEGF, PL-II, PIGF, sFLT-1, and sENG, oncogene JUNB, scaffolding protein CUL7, GPER1, and the pathways of SIRT/AMPK and MAPK/ERK. Additionally, we observed modification of subunits of NADPH oxidase and extracellular matrix elements, i.e., Glypican and Heparanase and KCa channel. Mothers with a low level of melatonin showed low production of proangiogenic factor VEGF, increasing the risk of preeclampsia, premature birth, and abortion. In contrast, melatonin supplementation can reduce systolic pressure, prevent oxidative stress, induce the activation of the antioxidants system, and lessen proteinuria and serum level of sFlt-1. Moreover, melatonin can repair the endothelial damage from preeclampsia at the placenta level, increasing PIGF, Nrf-2, HO-1 production and reducing critical markers of vascular injury during the pregnancy. Melatonin also restores the umbilical and uterine blood flow after oxidative stress and inhibits vascular inflammation and VCAM-1, Activin-A, and sEng production. The beneficial effects of melatonin over pathological pregnancies can be partially observed in normal pregnancies, suggesting the dual role of/over placental physiology could contribute to protection and have therapeutic applications in vascular pathologies of pregnancies in the future.

Bloodletting has no effect on the blood pressure abnormalities of hyperandrogenic women taking oral contraceptives in a randomized clinical trial

Normoferritinemic women with functional hyperandrogenism show a mild iron overload. Iron excess, hyperandrogenism, and cardioautonomic dysfunction contribute to blood pressure (BP) abnormalities in these patients. Furthermore, combined oral contraceptives (COC) prescribed for hyperandrogenic symptoms may worse BP recordings. Iron depletion by phlebotomy appears to lower BP in other acquired iron overload conditions. We aimed to determine the effect of iron depletion on the office BP, ambulatory BP monitoring, and frequency of hypertension in patients with functional hyperandrogenism submitted to standard therapy with COC. We conducted a phase 2 randomized, controlled, parallel, open-label clinical trial (NCT02460445) in adult women with functional hyperandrogenism including hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome and idiopathic hyperandrogenism. After a 3-month run-in period of treatment with 35 µg ethinylestradiol plus 2 mg cyproterone acetate, participants were randomized (1:1) to three scheduled bloodlettings or observation for another 9 months. Main outcome measures were the changes in office BP, 24-h-ambulatory BP, and frequency of hypertension in both study arms. From June 2015 to June 2019, 33 women were included in the intention-to-treat analyses. We observed an increase in mean office systolic BP [mean of the differences (MD): 2.5 (0.3–4.8) mmHg] and night-time ambulatory systolic BP [MD 4.1 (1.4–6.8) mmHg] after 3 months on COC. The percentage of nocturnal BP non-dippers also increased, from 28.1 to 92.3% (P < 0.001). Office and ambulatory BP did not change throughout the experimental period of the trial, both when considering all women as a whole or as a function of the study arm. The frequency of the non-dipping pattern in BP decreased during the experimental period [OR 0.694 (0.577–0.835), P < 0.001], regardless of the study arm. Decreasing iron stores by scheduled bloodletting does not override the BP abnormalities caused by COC in women with functional hyperandrogenism.

The Effects of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism on Circadian Blood Pressure in Hemodialysis Patients.

To determine the relationship between secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) and circadian blood pressure (BP) rthym among patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. A descriptive and prospective cohort study. Department of Nephrology, Firat University Hospital, Turkey, between June and December 2019. Eighty-five patients, undergoing hemodialysis three times a week, were included. The BP parameters and circadian blood pressure rhythm were measured by the mobil-o-graph sphygmomanometer. Non-dipper blood pressure phenomenon was defined as a night-time mean artery pressure (MAP) decrease of <10% from the daytime MAP; sHPT was defined as parathormone >300 pg/ml. Of the 85 participants, mean age was 57.07 ± 14.46 years. In cohort, sHPT rate 58.8% (n =50) and non-dipper blood pressure pattern rate was 64.7% (n = 55). Systolic blood pressure (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.001), and mean arterial blood pressure (p<0.001) were higher in participants with sHPT. sHPT (p = 0.003) was an independent risk factor for non-dipper blood pressure pattern (odds ratio [OR] 0.065, 95% CI: 0.11-0.390). A negative correlation was identified between parathormone and the reduction in night blood pressure (r = -0.346, p=0.001). Secondary hyperparathyroidism can cause non-dipper blood pressure pattern by reducing the reduction in night blood pressure. Treatment of sHPT is important in the control of blood pressure and normal circadian blood pressure rhythm in tertiary protection in hemodialysis patients. Key Words: Blood pressure, Circadian rhythm, Hyperparathyroidism secondary, Hemodialysis, Chronic kidney diseases.

Фактори ризику, що впливають на прогноз у хворих з артеріальною гіпертензією

В аналіз включено 524 пацієнти, яким проводили стандартне обстеження: вимірювання офісного артеріального тиску (АТ), добове моніторування АТ, ехокардіографію, електрокардіографію. Через 5 років після виписки зі стаціонару усім хворим поштою була розіслана анкета, що хворі заповнювали письмово з вказанням, які та коли перенесли несприятливі події (інфаркт міокарда, інсульт, нестабільна стенокардія, серцева або ниркова недостатність, інші серцево-судинні події, що потребували госпіталізації). У разі смерті пацієнта анкету заповнювали родичі. Вплив факторів на частоту виникнення несприятливих подій визначали за допомогою регресійного аналізу. Під час дослідження встановлено, що основними факторами, які були пов’язані з виникненням несприятливих подій (інфаркт, інсульт, нестабільна стенокардія, серцева недостатність, ниркова недостатність, смерть, госпіталізація через інші серцево-судинні події, цукровий діабет) в обстежених хворих, були: вік пацієнта, рівень систолічного АТ при виписці зі стаціонару, рівень пульсового АТ (ПАТ) при виписці зі стаціонару, наявність постінфарктного кардіо-склерозу, інсульту в анамнезі, збільшений порівняно з нормою розмір лівого передсердя, знижена фракція викиду лівого шлуночка, збільшена товщина міжшлуночкової перегородки, індекс маси міокарда лівого шлуночка більше 137 г/м2, наявність ЕКГ-ознак гіпертрофії лівого шлуночка більше 3 балів за критерієм Естеса, порушений добовий профіль діастолічного АТ (ДАТ), рівень середнього денного ПАТ більше 64 мм рт.ст. Незалежними від інших факторів ризику виникнення комбінованої кінцевої точки в обстежених хворих виявилися рівень офісного ПАТ при виписці зі стаціонару 64 мм рт.ст. та більше, значно знижена фракція викиду лівого шлуночка (менше 40 %), потовщення міжшлуночкової перегородки (більше 1,2 см), величина індексу маси міокарда лівого шлуночка 137 г/м2 та більше, кількість балів за Естесом більше 3, зниження ДАТ у нічний період менше 10 %, середній денний ПАТ при добовому моніторуванні АТ 64 мм рт.ст. і більше. Серед них незалежними від терапії, що призначалася, були рівень офісного ПАТ 64 мм рт.ст. і більше при виписці, знижена (менше 40 %) фракція викиду лівого шлуночка, порушення добового профілю АТ (добовий індекс для ДАТ менше 10 %) або середній денний ПАТ вищий від 64 мм рт.ст. Не виявлено достовірного впливу тієї чи іншої групи антигіпертензивних препаратів на частоту виникнення комбінованої точки. Для прогнозу обстежених хворих більше значення мало зниження АТ як такого, особливо ПАТ, а не те, яким антигіпертензивним препаратом вдавалося його знизити.