Non-dipping Blood Pressure Pattern Research Articles

Evening versus morning dosing regimen drug therapy for chronic kidney disease patients with hypertension in blood pressure patterns: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Evening dosing regimen drug therapy on blood pressure (BP) control is used widely, but its clinical benefits and preservation or re-establishment of the normal 24-h BP dipping pattern in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients is not known. To investigate the effect of an evening dosing regimen of antihypertensive drugs on BP patterns of CKD patients with hypertension. A systematic review was conducted by searching PUBMED, EMBASE, ASN-ONLINE, the Cochrane Library and the reference lists of relevant articles of published papers. All trials designed to evaluate the effects of evening versus morning dosing regimen drug therapy for CKD patients with hypertension were included. Meta-analysis was performed using random or fixed effects models. Five randomised controlled trials and one comparative study, including 3732 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Compared with morning dosing regimen drug therapy, evening administration of antihypertensive medication was associated with a significant reduction of 40% in non-dipper BP patterns (risk ratio (RR), 95% CI, (0.43, 0.84)). We noted a significant decrease in nocturnal systolic blood pressure (SBP) (MD -3.17 mmHg, 95% CI (-5.41, -0.94)), a significant reduction in nocturnal diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (MD -1.37 mmHg, 95% CI (-2.05, -0.69)) and a significant increase in awake SBP (MD 1.15 mmHg, 95% CI (0.10, 2.19)) in patients assigned to the evening dosing regimen drug therapy group. Patients showed no significant differences for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. This review shows that evening dosing regimen drug therapy could reverse non-dipper BP patterns in hypertensive CKD patients.

Immune markers, diurnal blood pressure profile and cardiac function in virologically suppressed HIV-infected patients

Purpose: Non-dipping nocturnal blood pressure (BP) pattern has been reported prevalent among HIV-infected patients and is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The aims of this observational study were to identify predictors of nocturnal BP decline, and to explore whether diurnal BP profile is associated with alterations in cardiac structure and function.Materials and methods: A total of 108 treated HIV-infected patients with suppressed viremia underwent ambulatory BP measurement, 51 of these patients also underwent echocardiography.Results: Non-dipping nocturnal BP pattern was present in 51% of the patients. Decreased nocturnal decline in systolic BP (SBP) correlated with lower CD4 count (rsp = 0.21, p = 0.032) and lower CD4/CD8 ratio (rsp = 0.26, p = 0.008). In multivariate linear regression analyses, lower BMI (p = 0.015) and CD4/CD8 ratio <0.4 (p = 0.010) remained independent predictors of nocturnal decline in SBP. Nocturnal decline in SBP correlated with impaired diastolic function, e’ (r = 0.28, p = 0.049) as did nadir CD4 count (rsp = 0.38, p = 0.006). In multivariate linear regression analyses, nadir CD4 count <100 cells/μL (p = 0.037) and age (p < 0.001) remained independent predictors of e’.Conclusions: Compromised immune status may contribute to attenuated diurnal BP profile as well as impaired diastolic function in well-treated HIV infection.

Influence of non-dipping pattern of blood pressure in gestational hypertension on maternal cardiac function, hemodynamics and intrauterine growth restriction.

An association between gestational hypertension (GH) and changes of maternal cardiac function was previously reported. The study assessed the effect of non-dipping pattern of blood pressure (BP) in GH on haemodynamic function and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This study included 126 women (91 with GH and 35 normotensive controls). Based on the BP values measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), all hypertensive women were classified in dipper (46 women) or in non-dipper group (45 women). All participants underwent echocardiography and ABPM during the third trimester. Participants with GH and non-dipping pattern had significantly lower velocity of longitudinal systolic function (s') (p<0.0005), and cardiac output index (COi) compared to dippers (p<0.0005) and controls (p=0.002). Diastolic velocities at the mitral valve annulus were also lower in non-dippers e's (non-dippers vs dippers p=0.023; non-dippers vs controls p<0.0005) and e'l (non-dippers vs dippers p=0.048; non-dippers vs controls p<0.0005). There were significant differences in the index of the left ventricle filling pressure E/e' and myocardial mass index between women with GH and controls, but with no significant difference among dippers and non-dippers. Total vascular resistance was increased in non-dipping group compared to normotensives and dippers (p<0.0005). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the peak night-time diastolic BP, left ventricular mass index and CO index were identified as independent predictors of IUGR. Changes in maternal hemodynamics, as well as IUGR, are strongly related to the non-dipping pattern of BP.

Evaluation of the effect of dipping pattern in hypertensive patients on the left ventricular systolic functions by two-dimensional strain analysis.

Nondipping blood pressure pattern carry a high risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications due to a higher cumulative pressure overload. We aimed to define the role of strain analysis for detecting subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in recently diagnosed nondipper and dipper hypertensive patients with normal left ventricular systolic function. Study population consisted of two groups of patients, Group 1: 45 dipper patients and Group 2: 43 nondipper patients. Global and segmental two-dimensional longitudinal strain analysis were measured by speckle tracking method. The analysis of two-dimensional left ventricular global longitudinal strain and strain rates showed that there was a significant difference between groups (-18.1%±3.1% for nondippers vs -20.5%±2.4% for dippers, P<.001 for global longitudinal strain and -1.2±0.2 1/s for nondippers vs -1.31±0.16 1/s for dippers, P<.001 for global longitudinal strain rate). The nighttime systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure measurements were significantly higher in the nondipper group. Nocturnal dipping rates were statistically different between the groups (P<.001). Interventricular septum, posterior wall thickness, relative wall thickness, left atrial dimension, left ventricular mass, and mass index were higher in the nondipper group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated left atrium size, nocturnal dipping rate, daytime mean blood pressure, and nighttime systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure as independent predictors of global longitudinal strain. In our study, two-dimensional speckle tracking examination showed that the left ventricular systolic function is impaired even in the subclinical period in recently diagnosed nondipper hypertensive patients with deformational analysis.

Relationship between diurnal blood pressure and renal histopathological changes in white coat hypertension.

Multiple epidemiological studies have clearly demonstrated the macrovascular risks associated with white coat hypertension (WCH) or sustained hypertension (SH). In patients with WCH, there is no literature available on renal histopathological changes and that on blood pressure pattern and native kidney outcome is scant. We aimed to clarify the relationship between blood pressure variables and pathological features of kidney biopsies in living kidney donors with WCH. This cross-sectional study included living kidney donors with WCH (n = 10) and SH (n = 10), and 20 healthy kidney donors with similar demographic features (control group). Kidney allograft biopsy samples were obtained during transplantation and chronic glomerular, vascular and tubulointertitial changes were semiquantitatively scored according to the Banff classification. The mean age of the 20 hypertensive subjects (Group 1) and controls (Group 2) was 59.3 ± 8.5 versus 59.6 ± 7.6 years and almost half were female. There was no difference in renal function parameters between the groups; however, kidney histopathology in Group 1 was worse than Group 2 with a chronicity index of 2.80 ± 1.67 versus 1.75 ± 1.16 (p = 0.02). There was no difference between histopathological scores of patients with WCH or SH (chronicity index: 2.60 ± 1.43 vs. 2.70 ± 1.70, p = 0.88). Night-to-day mean arterial pressure (MAP) ratio was significantly associated with chronicity index in patients with WCH. Moreover, WCH patients with non-dipper hypertensive pattern had a worse chronicity index. Significant histopathological alterations in the kidney were observed in patients with WCH and SH, and were accentuated in WCH patients with non-dipper blood pressure pattern.

Clinic and ambulatory blood pressure in a population-based sample of African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study

Blood pressure (BP) can differ substantially when measured in the clinic versus outside of the clinic setting. Few population-based studies with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) include African Americans. We calculated the prevalence of clinic hypertension and ABPM phenotypes among 1016 participants in the population-based Jackson Heart Study, an exclusively African-American cohort. Mean daytime systolic BP was higher than mean clinic systolic BP among participants not taking antihypertensive medication (127.1[standard deviation 12.8] vs. 124.5[15.7] mm Hg, respectively) and taking antihypertensive medication (131.2[13.6] vs. 130.0[15.6] mm Hg, respectively). Mean daytime diastolic BP was higher than clinic diastolic BP among participants not taking antihypertensive medication (78.2[standard deviation 8.9] vs. 74.6[8.4] mm Hg, respectively) and taking antihypertensive medication (77.6[9.4] vs. 74.3[8.5] mm Hg, respectively). The prevalence of daytime hypertension was higher than clinic hypertension for participants not taking antihypertensive medication (31.8% vs. 14.3%) and taking antihypertensive medication (43.0% vs. 23.1%). A high percentage of participants not taking and taking antihypertensive medication had nocturnal hypertension (49.4% and 61.7%, respectively), white-coat hypertension (30.2% and 29.3%, respectively), masked hypertension (25.4% and 34.6%, respectively), and a nondipping BP pattern (62.4% and 69.6%, respectively). In conclusion, these data suggest hypertension may be misdiagnosed among African Americans without using ABPM.

AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE PATTERNS IN PATIENTS WITH RETINAL VEIN OCCLUSION.

Failure of blood pressure (BP) to dip during sleep (nondipper pattern) is associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke. The prevalence and degree of nondipping and masked hypertension in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), which is associated with stroke, has not been previously examined. We measured clinic and 24-hour ambulatory BPs in 22 patients with RVO and 20 control participants without known eye disease matched by age and sex. Mean BP dipping, defined as the ratio of difference in mean awake and sleep systolic BPs to mean awake systolic BP, and masked and nocturnal hypertension were compared between groups. Mean 24-hour ambulatory BP was 144/79 mmHg among those with RVO and 136/77 mmHg among controls. Patients with RVO had an almost 2-fold higher prevalence of nondipping pattern (80.8% [95% confidence interval, 52.8-94.1] vs. 50.4% [95% confidence interval, 26.1-74.5]; P = 0.008). Average sleep systolic BP dip in patients with RVO was 6.1% versus 11.9% in controls (P = 0.004). More patients with RVO had masked hypertension by ambulatory BPs than controls (71% vs. 50%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Our data suggest an association between RVO and nondipper BP pattern. Ambulatory BP monitoring may be useful in the evaluation of patients with RVO by identifying those who may benefit from more aggressive BP control.

Nocturnal Non-dipping Blood Pressure Profile in Black Normotensives Is Associated with Cardiac Target Organ Damage.

A non-dipping pattern of nocturnal blood pressure in hypertensive patients is an established predictor of cardiovascular risk, especially in Blacks. However, data on non-dipping normotensives and cardiovascular risk in this population is sparse. In this study, we aim to determine if a non-dipping profile in a cohort of Black normotensives is associated with cardiac target organ damage. We studied ambulatory blood pressure patterns in 43 normotensive Black patients of Caribbean origin and classified their profiles as dippers (DP) and non-dippers (NDP) based on their nocturnal blood pressure profiles. Cardiac target organ damage was estimated from 2-D echocardiogram. The mean age of the cohort was 52 years. Both groups were similar with respect to baseline age, sex, weight, height, body mass index and daytime ambulatory BP. There was a statistically significant difference in nocturnal blood pressure between DP and NDP groups (112 ± 7/64 ± 2 mm Hg vs 117 ± 3/69 ± 2 mm Hg, P=.004). The NDP cohort showed evidence of cardiovascular target damage on echocardiography with a significantly increased relative wall thickness (.35 ± .07 cm vs .42 ± .05 cm, P=.001), left ventricular mass index (95 ± 14 vs 105 ± 14 g/m(2), P=.018) and left atrial volume index (26 ± 3.5 vs. 30 ± 3.4, P=.001). Left ventricular geometry in the non-dippers also showed increased concentric remodeling, concentric and eccentric hypertrophy. Our study demonstrates that nocturnal non-dipping of blood pressure in normotensive Blacks of Caribbean origin may be associated with cardiovascular end organ damage thereby providing new surveillance and therapeutic targets.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring phenotypes among individuals with and without diabetes taking antihypertensive medication: the Jackson Heart Study.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can detect phenotypes associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Diabetes is associated with increased CVD risk but few data are available documenting whether blood pressure (BP) phenotypes, detected by ABPM, differ between individuals with versus without diabetes. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 567 participants in the Jackson Heart Study, a population-based study of African Americans, taking antihypertensive medication to evaluate the association between diabetes and ABPM phenotypes. Two clinic BP measurements were taken at baseline following a standardized protocol. ABPM was performed for 24 h following the clinic visit. ABPM phenotypes included daytime, sustained, nocturnal and isolated nocturnal hypertension, a non-dipping BP pattern, and white coat, masked and masked isolated nocturnal hypertension. Diabetes was defined as fasting glucose ⩾126 mg dl-1, haemoglobin A1c ⩾6.5% (48 mmol mol-1) or use of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic medications. Of the included participants (mean age 62.3 years, 71.8% female), 196 (34.6%) had diabetes. After multivariable adjustment, participants with diabetes were more likely to have daytime hypertension (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09-1.60), masked hypertension (PR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.11-1.93) and masked isolated nocturnal hypertension (PR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.02-1.89). Although nocturnal hypertension was more common among participants with versus without diabetes, this association was not present after adjustment for daytime systolic BP. Diabetes was not associated with the other ABPM phenotypes investigated. This study highlights the high prevalence of ABPM phenotypes among individuals with diabetes taking antihypertensive medication.

Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease Part 2: Role of Ambulatory and Home Blood Pressure Monitoring for Assessing Alterations in Blood Pressure Variability and Blood Pressure Profiles.

Blood pressure (BP) is characterized by high variability, including changes beat-to-beat (very short term), within 24 hours (short term), from day to day (midterm), and between visits spaced by weeks, months, seasons, and even years (long term). These variations can be estimated by means of continuous beat-to-beat BP recordings, repeated conventional office BP measures, 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), or home BP monitoring (HBPM) over longer time windows (Table). A main advantage of ABPM over other BP measurement techniques is represented by its ability to track BP changes occurring in daily life conditions and during 24 hours, thus allowing assessment of overall BP variability (BPV) as well as identification of its specific components, such as nocturnal hypertension and altered day-to-night BP profiles (ie, morning BP rise, nondipping pattern of BP) which become manifest early in the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD). These alterations are even more significant in subjects with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) mainly, but not exclusively, because of the marked reduction in intravascular volume immediately after hemodialysis followed by the progressive increase in volemia throughout the interdialytic period,2 combined with an enhanced sympathetic activity. The higher frequency of alterations in 24-hour BP profiles and BPV in subjects with CKD and in those with ESRD not only makes a proper assessment and achievement of BP control more difficult in these subjects but may be prognostically relevant on the background of the evidence from longitudinal and observational studies indicating that increased BPV may predict the development of cardiovascular and renal disease, over and above the contribution of elevated mean BP levels per se3–11 (Figure 1). The purpose of this review is to address the currently available evidence on the role of ABPM and HBPM for the assessment and management of alterations in circadian BP profiles …

Relationship between blood pressure reverse dipping and type 2 diabetes in hypertensive patients.

Recent studies suggested that nocturnal variations of blood pressure (BP) were closely related to type 2 diabetes. However, little information has been revealed about the relationship between reverse-dipper pattern of BP and type 2 diabetes. In this cross-sectional study, BP variations of 531 hypertensive patients were evaluated with ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Diagnosis of diabetes in Chinese adults was made according to diabetes diagnostic criteria of 2015. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between type 2 diabetes and ABPM results. In the study, patients with reverse-dipper pattern (32.3%) had the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes compared with dippers (21.4%) and nondippers (23.3%). After multivariate logistic regression, reverse-dipper BP pattern (OR 2.067, P = 0.024) and nondipper BP pattern (OR 1.637, P = 0.039) were found to be correlated with type 2 diabetes compared with dipper pattern. The results of our study also suggested that type 2 diabetes might contribute to the reverse-dipper pattern of BP (OR 1.691, P = 0.023). In addition, fasting glucose was negatively correlated with the decline rate of nocturnal SBP (r = -0.095, P = 0.029). Reverse-dipper pattern of BP in ABPM may be independently associated with type 2 diabetes in patients with hypertension.

0304 : Heart rate in dippers and in non-dippers investigated by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

In normal cases, nocturnal blood pressure (BP) falls between 10–20%, compared with daytime BP (BP dipper pattern).The non-dipping pattern of ambulatory BP is associated with secondary hypertension and target organ damage. Our aim was to investigate the difference of heart rate between non-dippers and dippers. BP variability can be estimated as a standard deviation of ambulatory BP monitoring obtained by every 15–20 min measurement. The ambulatory BP and HR were monitored every 20 min with a fully automatic device. Ambulatory BP monitoring were performed in 124 patients in the University hospital Ibn Rochd in Casablanca. We measured the blood pressure and heart rate parameters. The criteria of non-dipping pattern was diurnal index, 10%. Non-dipping pattern was found in 41 cases and dipping pattern was found in 83 cases. The 24h systolic blood pressure in non-dipping group (NDG) was 133.92±16.89 mmHg, in the dipping group (DG) was 127.49±13.81 mmHg (p= 0.005) and the diastolic was 75.38±12.81 mmHg (NDG) and 75.67±11.91 mmHg (DG) (p= 0.08). The heart rate was lower in the NDG than in the DG: 69.65±9.81 vs 70.59±9.48 bpm (p= 0.02). In NDG, we found lower heart rate. Presumably reflecting altered function of the sympathetic nervous system, the baroreceptor oscillations are shifted to lower frequencies. It is clear that more work should be carried out to evaluate the impact of heart rate variability on non dipper patients. The author hereby declares no conflict of interest

Habitual coffee consumption and 24-h blood pressure control in older adults with hypertension

In normotensive and hypertensive individuals, blood pressure (BP) rises acutely during a few hours following coffee or caffeine consumption. However, the effect of habitual coffee consumption on BP and BP control is uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the association of habitual coffee consumption on 24-h BP and BP control among older adults with hypertension. Data were taken from the Seniors-Study on Nutrition and Cardiovascular Risk in Spain (ENRICA), a cross-sectional study conducted in 2012 among 1164 individuals aged ≥63 years. Habitual coffee consumption was assessed with a validated diet history. BP was recorded by 24-h ambulatory monitoring. Ambulatory hypertension was defined as BP≥130/80mm Hg or being under antihypertensive treatment, and uncontrolled BP was deemed as BP≥130/80mm Hg among hypertensives. Analyses were performed with linear and logistic regressions adjusted for the main confounders, including diet, time since diagnosis of hypertension and the number of antihypertensive drugs. Among the 715 hypertensive participants, those consuming ≥3 cups of coffee/day showed higher 24-h systolic BP (beta: 3.25mm Hg, p value=0.04) and diastolic BP (beta: 2.24mm Hg, p value=0.02) than non-coffee drinkers. Compared to non-coffee drinkers, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for uncontrolled BP among those consuming 1, 2, and ≥3 cups of coffee/day were, respectively: 1.95 (1.15-3.30), 1.41 (0.75-2.68), and 2.55 (1.28-5.09); p for trend=0.05. The association was similar among individuals who were smokers, had excess weight (body mass index ≥25kg/m2), low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, or hypercholesterolemia. No association was found between coffee consumption and having a non-dipper BP pattern (<10% nocturnal decline in BP) among hypertensives. Habitual coffee consumption was associated with uncontrolled BP in a hypertensive older population.

Epicardial Fat Thickness and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio are Increased in Non-Dipper Hypertensive Patients.

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness (EFT), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR; an important inflammatory marker), and diurnal blood pressure (BP) changes in patients with recently diagnosed essential hypertension.MethodsA total of 647 patients underwent echocardiography and 24 hours of ambulatory BP monitoring. EFT was measured by echocardiography, while NLR was measured by dividing the neutrophil count by the lymphocyte count. Patients were categorized into three groups according to BP pattern: the normotensive group, the dipper group, and the non-dipper group.ResultsThe mean EFT was highest in the non-dipper group (non-dipper group, 7.3 ± 3.0 mm; dipper group, 6.1 ± 2.0 mm; control group, 5.6 ± 2.0 mm; p < 0.001). NLR was also highest in the non-dipper group (non-dipper, 2.75 ± 2.81; dipper, 2.01 ± 1.32; control, 1.92 ± 1.11; p < 0.001). EFT was significantly correlated with age (r = 0.160, p < 0.001) and NLR (r = 0.353, p < 0.001). Furthermore, an EFT ≥ 7.0 mm was associated with the non-dipper BP pattern with 51.3% sensitivity and 71.6% specificity [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.56–0.65, p < 0.001]. In a multivariate analysis, EFT [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.22–13.10, p = 0.022] and NLR (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.05–1.71, p = 0.018) were independent parameters that distinguished a non-dipper pattern after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors.ConclusionEFT and NLR are independently associated with impaired diurnal BP profiles in hypertensive individuals. EFT (as measured by echocardiography) and NLR appear to be helpful in stratifying cardiometabolic risk.

Covariates of non-dipping and elevated night-time blood pressure in ischemic stroke patients: the Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study*

Abnormal night-time blood pressure (BP) reduction is associated with increased cardiovascular risk in hypertension. Little is known about the prevalence and covariates of night-time BP reduction in ischemic stroke patients. Clinic and ambulatory BP measurements were recorded in 268 stroke survivors aged 15–60 years. The degree of night-time dipping was calculated from the difference between day-time and night-time mean BP, and defined as non-dipping if < 10%. Aortic stiffness was derived from carotid–femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV) by applanation tonometry and carotid intima–media thickness (cIMT) by ultrasound. A non-dipping pattern was found in 38%. Non-dippers had higher PWV, mean cIMT and night-time BP, and included more patients with history of hypertension, diabetes and high for age PWV compared to dippers (all p < 0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, non-dipping was associated with high for age PWV [odds ratio (OR) = 2.28; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–4.92, p < 0.05] independent of history of hypertension and other confounders, while elevated night-time BP was associated with increased cIMT (OR = 3.83; 95% CI 1.01–14.50, p < 0.05) independent of non-dipping status, male gender, obesity, antihypertensive treatment and high for age PWV. In conclusion, in the Norwegian Stroke in the Young Study, non-dipping BP pattern was common and associated with increased aortic stiffness.

Abstract 12837: Nondipper Pulse Rate Pattern is Associated With Cardiovascular Events, but Night Pulse Rate is Not: Japan Morning Surge Home Blood Pressure (J-HOP) Study

Introduction: Nondipper patterns of pulse rate (PR) as well as blood pressure (BP) have been associated with cardiovascular events. High night PR is also associated cardiovascular events. Hypothesis: We assessed the hypothesis that a nondipper PR pattern was independently associated with cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular risk factors, adjusting for night pulse rate. Methods: Ambulatory BP monitoring was conducted at baseline in 1443 patients who had one or more cardiovascular risk factors. PR nondipping status was defined as (awake PR - sleep PR)/awake PR &lt; 0.1. Results: The nondipper PR patients (N=339) were older (66.8±10.6 vs. 63.9±11.8, p&lt;0.001) and had a higher night PR (65.5±9.6 vs. 58.9±7.3/min, p&lt;0.001) than the dipper PR patients (N=1104). The mean follow-up period was 60±30 months; in that time 50 patients (4.5%) in the dipper PR group and 34 patients (10.0%) in the nondipper PR group suffered primary endpoints (log rank 22.2, p&lt;0.001). On the Cox proportional hazards model including age, gender and night systolic blood pressure, nondipper PR was an independent predictor of cardiovascular event (hazard ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.51-3.74, p&lt;0.001), but night PR was not (p=0.50). We analyzed four groups according to BP and PR dipping status, the combination of nondipper BP and nondipper PR constituted a higher risk of cardiovascular events and stroke than the sum of the other three combination risks (Log rank= 39.2, p&lt;0.001, figure). When we added the nondipper BP pattern in the model, nondipper PR remained an independent predictor of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 2.29, 95% confidence interval 1.50-3.51, p&lt;0.001). After excluding patients who took beta blockers (N=1003), nondipper PR was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval 1.22-3.82, p=0.008). Conclusions: The nondipper PR pattern was associated with cardiovascular events, but night pulse rate was not.

Mechanisms Influencing Circadian Blood Pressure Patterns Among Individuals with HIV.

HIV+ individuals have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but the mechanisms behind this association are poorly understood. While hypertension is a well-established CVD risk factor, clinic-based blood pressure (BP) assessment by itself cannot identify several important BP patterns, including white coat hypertension, masked hypertension, nighttime hypertension, and nighttime BP dipping. These BP patterns can be identified over a 24-h period by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). In this review, we provide an overview of the potential value of conducting ABPM in HIV+ individuals. ABPM phenotypes associated with increased CVD risk include masked hypertension (i.e., elevated out-of-clinic BP despite non-elevated clinic BP), nighttime hypertension, and a non-dipping BP pattern (i.e., a drop in BP of <10% from daytime to nighttime). These adverse ABPM phenotypes may be highly relevant in the setting of HIV infection, given that increased levels of inflammatory biomarkers, high psychosocial burden, high prevalence of sleep disturbance, and autonomic dysfunction have been commonly reported in HIV+ persons. Additionally, although antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with lower AIDS-related morbidity and CVD risk, the mitochondrial toxicity, oxidative stress, lipodystrophy, and insulin resistance associated with long-term ART use potentially lead to adverse ABPM phenotypes. Existing data on ABPM phenotypes in the setting of HIV are limited, but suggest an increased prevalence of a non-dipping BP pattern. In conclusion, identifying ABPM phenotypes may provide crucial information regarding the mechanisms underlying the excess CVD risk in HIV+ individuals.

Abstract P235: Employing the DASH Diet to Treat Non-dippers: A Two-month Intervention Study

Introduction: Hypertensive patients with abnormal circadian blood pressure patterns, including a lack of nocturnal blood pressure dipping or rises in blood pressure from daytime to night-time, are at an increased risk for numerous cardiovascular events including strokes, heart failure and renal failure. Currently, limited therapeutic strategies exist to treat non-dippers. In this study, we examine the role of obesity on circadian blood pressure patterns and the impact of lifestyle intervention on nocturnal dip. Methodology: 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed before and after a 2-month intervention employing the DASH diet and lifestyle program with a targeted 5% weight loss in 80 volunteers. 20 control patients had a healthy nocturnal dip, 30 patients had a non-dipping blood pressure pattern, and 30 patients had a rise in blood pressure nocturnally from daytime. Results: At baseline, there was a linear correlation between individuals' BMI and nocturnal blood pressure aberrancies (r= 0.60, p&lt;0.0001). The control group had the lowest average BMI of 28.1 kg/m2. Non-dippers had a slightly higher average BMI of 30.3 kg/m2, and those with a rise in blood pressure nocturnally had the greatest average BMI of 35.3 kg/m2. After the two-month lifestyle intervention, individuals who achieved weight loss had significantly greater average reductions in nocturnal blood pressure (24.3 mm Hg), compared to daytime (12.1 mm Hg), resulting in the restoration of a more normal nocturnal dip and circadian blood pressure pattern. Non-dippers who achieved a 5% reduction in weight during the intervention had an average 8.31% nocturnal dip by the end of the study. Individuals who lost less than 5% of their weight or who gained weight continued to have a non-dipping blood pressure pattern by the end of the study. Conclusions: The results of this study would suggest that perhaps reducing weight by adhering to the DASH diet and lifestyle intervention could be examined as therapeutic avenues for non-dippers in the future. The long-term effects of a restoration of normal circadian blood pressure pattern warrants further investigation.

Abstract P248: Changes in Dipping Pattern of Blood Pressure During the Progression of Renal Injury in Dahl Salt-sensitive Hypertensive Rats

A growing body of clinical evidence has indicated that non-dipper pattern of circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP) is a great risk of cardiovascular disease, which is accompanied by impaired renal function and proteinuria. Here, we aimed to investigate the circadian rhythm of BP during the progression of renal injury in Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) hypertensive rats. DSS rats were treated with a high salt diet (HS; 8% NaCl) for 10 weeks (n=10). Before starting a HS diet, the difference in mean arterial pressure (MAP) between dark and light period was 6.46±0.61 mmHg in normal salt (0.3% NaCl)-fed DSS rats. Treatment with a HS diet for 5 days did not change renal function, but blood pressure was increased. Furthermore, the difference in MAP between dark and light period was significantly increased (11.05±0.87 mmHg, P&lt;0.05), suggesting extreme dipping type of circadian BP. However, further HS diet feeding for 10 weeks induced the development of hypertension, renal tissue injury and proteinuria, which were associated with non-dipper pattern of BP. Namely, the MAP was similar between dark and light period (180.47±6.26 vs.177.92±6.33 mmHg). After switching to normal salt diet for 4 weeks, MAP was significantly decreased and circadian rhythm of BP was returned to normal dipper type (157.27±3.96 vs. 149.93±4.11 for MAP in dark and light period, respectively). In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that treatment with HS diet initially showed extreme dipping pattern of BP in DSS rats, whereas it changed to non-dipping pattern of BP during the progression of renal tissue injury and proteinuria. These data support the hypothesis that non-dipping pattern of BP is associated with the progression of renal injury during the development of salt-dependent hypertension, which may contribute to the cardiovascular events.

Non-dipping blood pressure patterns and arterial stiffness parameters in patients with Behcet's disease.

Behcet's disease is a multisystemic vasculitis involving veins and arteries of various sizes. Non-dipping status, augmentation index and pulse wave velocity are important determinants of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. We investigated the non-dipping status and arterial stiffness in patients with Behcet's disease. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the vascular parameters of 96 patients with Behcet's disease (53% female) and 60 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The non-dipping status and arterial distensibility were assessed using a Mobil-O-Graph Arteriograph, an automatic oscillometric device. In total, 65.6% of 96 patients were systolic non-dippers, and 34.4% exhibited high augmentation indices. Ten percent of the control subjects were systolic non-dippers, and 11.7% exhibited high augmentation indices. Nocturnal decreases in systolic blood pressure correlated with central systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, as well as nocturnal decreases in diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, non-dipper patients with Behcet's disease exhibited higher nocturnal cardiac outputs than did dipper patients with Behcet's disease. Augmentation index correlated negatively with C-reactive protein and correlated positively with both 24 h and nocturnal peripheral resistance, as well as 24 h pulse wave velocity. The patients with high augmentation indices exhibited lower creatinine clearance, as well as lower nocturnal cardiac outputs, higher 24 h peripheral resistance and higher 24 h pulse wave velocities. Non-dipping status and arterial stiffness may exacerbate the harmful cardiovascular effects of the other. In addition to conventional risk factors, non-dipping status and arterial stiffness should be examined during the follow-up evaluations of patients with Behcet's disease.