Reduction In Central Blood Pressure Research Articles

Afterload reduction after non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in acute heart failure.

While central blood pressure (BP) has been recognized as a major indicator of left ventricular (LV) afterload, the reduction of central pressure decreases LV afterload and may prevent heart failure (HF) decompensation. Non-invasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) was shown to improve cardiac function in HF patients. In this study, the relationship between active tVNS and reduction of central BP was investigated in patients with acute HF (AHF). The 22 patients hospitalized for AHF after initial stabilization (median 80 yrs, males 60%) were randomly assigned to active or sham group. For 1 h daily over 5 days, low-level transcutaneous electrical stimulation (LLTS) (20 Hz, 1 mA) was performed after attaching an ear clip to the tragus (active group) or the earlobe (sham control group). Before and after stimulation, central aortic systolic pressure (CASP), brachial systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP) as well as heart rate (HR) were noninvasively measured. No significant differences in baseline characteristics were observed between the active and sham groups. In the active group, CASP, SBP, DBP, and HR each decreased significantly after stimulation (all p < 0.05), whereas in the sham group, CASP, SBP, DBP, and HR each increased significantly after stimulation (all p < 0.05). All the changes in CASP, SBP, DBP and HR before and after stimulation were also significantly different between active and sham groups (all p < 0.01). There were no device-related side effects. In this study, the left tragus tVNS resulted in an acute afterload reduction in the elderly AHF patients. Non-invasive LLTS may be useful and safe for reducing afterload in AHF. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier UMIN000044121.

S-34-1: CENTRAL HYPERTENSION IS A NON-NEGLIGIBLE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTOR

High blood pressure (BP) confers cardiovascular risk. However, the clinical value of central BP remains debatable. Central and brachial BPs are closely correlated. In most prospective investigations, elevated central and peripheral BPs were similarly associated with adverse outcomes. Outcome-driven thresholds of the central systolic BP estimated by the type I device were on average 10 mmHg lower than their brachial counterparts. Cross-classification based on the central and brachial BPs identified that nearly 10% of patients had discrepancy in their status of central and brachial hypertension. Irrespective of the brachial BP status, central hypertension was associated with increased cardiovascular risk, highlighting the importance of central BP assessment in the management of hypertensive patients. Newer antihypertensive agents, including renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, were more efficacious than older agents in central BP reduction. Clinical trials are warranted to demonstrate whether controlling central hypertension with an optimized antihypertensive drug treatment will be beneficial beyond the control of brachial hypertension.

Central hypertension is a non-negligible cardiovascular risk factor.

High blood pressure (BP) confers cardiovascular risk. However, the clinical value of central BP remains debatable. In this article, we aim to briefly review the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of central hypertension. Central and brachial BPs are closely correlated. In most prospective investigations, elevated central and peripheral BPs were similarly associated with adverse outcomes. Outcome‐driven thresholds of the central systolic BP estimated by the type I device were on average 10 mmHg lower than their brachial counterparts. Cross‐classification based on the central and brachial BPs identified that nearly 10% of patients had discrepancy in their status of central and brachial hypertension. Irrespective of the brachial BP status, central hypertension was associated with increased cardiovascular risk, highlighting the importance of central BP assessment in the management of hypertensive patients. Newer antihypertensive agents, such as renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, were more efficacious than older agents in central BP reduction. Clinical trials are warranted to demonstrate whether controlling central hypertension with an optimized antihypertensive drug treatment will be beneficial beyond the control of brachial hypertension.

Hypertensive Dahl Salt‐Sensitive Rats Demonstrate a Reduction in Central Blood Pressure Following the Short‐Term Treatment with Ivabradine and Spironolactone

IntroductionA proper management of central blood pressure (cBP) has been recently recognized as a novel therapeutic target to reduce cardiovascular risks among hypertensive (HT) patients. Considering that the hypotensive action of most antihypertensive drugs does not persist after treatment interruption, the search for compounds which would permanently reduce the level of cBP remains vital. It has been previously reported that a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone (SL) as well as a “pure” heart rate lowering drug ivabradine (IVA) can both affect the level of cBP and cardiac structure in hypertension.HypothesisIt was hypothesized that combined treatment with SL and IVA could permanently reduce cBP in chronically HT animals via alterations in myocardial properties.MethodsSelf‐sustaining hypertension was induced in 20 male (seven‐week‐old) Dahl salt‐sensitive rats by feeding them a high‐salt (HS) diet (8% NaCl) for 7 weeks. Then all HT rats were switched back to a normal‐salt (NS) diet (0.3% NaCl) and randomized in two experimental groups to receive ether a combined treatment (HT‐T) with IVA (10 mg/kg/day) and SL (20 mg/kg/day) or the vehicle alone (HT‐V) for 8 weeks via intraperitoneal ALZET osmotic pumps. The ten age‐matched male rats fed a NS diet only were used as normotensive controls (NT‐C). Heart rate and peripheral blood pressure were evaluated every week in conscious rats using a CODA tail‐cuff plethysmography system. One week following treatment termination, the central (aortic) and cardiac hemodynamic parameters were assessed in anesthetized rats using an intravascular/intracardiac Millar micro‐tip pressure catheter and a PowerLab data acquisition system. Subsequently, rats were euthanized, and their hearts were excised, weighed and processed to paraffin for histology and quantitative morphology.ResultsAfter 7 weeks on a HS diet, all experimental rats had markedly elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate. Subsequent replacement of a HS diet with a NS diet did reduce the level of MAP by ~12%, but in both HT groups it remained significantly higher than in NT‐C rats throughout the rest of the study on average by ~27% (P≤0.001). On the other hand, during eight weeks of treatment, heart rate was persistently reduced only in HT‐T rats on average by ~38% and ~27% (P≤0.001) compared to HT‐V and NT‐C groups, respectively. At the end of the study, the invasive hemodynamic measurements showed that although cBP remained markedly elevated in all HT rats compared to a NT‐C group, the level of cBP in HT‐T rats was significantly lower than that in HT‐V group (149.4±4.3 vs. 167.5±3.3 mmHg in MAP, P≤0.01). Moreover, a reduction in cBP among HT‐T rats was associated with decreased left ventricular (LV) contractility and delayed active relaxation as compared to HT‐V rats. At the same time, histological examination of the hearts has confirmed that sustained hypertension caused significant LV hypertrophy (P≤0.001) and myocardial fibrosis (P≤0.01) in both HT groups. Most important, compared to a HT‐V group, the HT‐T rats had thicker LV free wall (3.20±0.06 vs. 2.94±0.11 mm, P≤0.05) and a markedly higher myocardial density of monocytes/macrophages (228.8±12.5 vs 62.4±7.1 CD68‐positive cells/mm2, P≤0.0001).ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that concurrent treatment of chronically HT rats with IVA and SL led to a sustained reduction in cBP and that such hypotensive effect was associated with ongoing myocardial remodeling in treated animals.

Effect of Amlodipine/Nebivolol combination therapy on central BP and PWV compared to Amlodipine/Valsartan combination therapy

BackgroundPulse wave velocity (PWV) and central blood pressure (CBP) have been intoduced into managment of hypertensive patients. PWV is positively correlated with arterial wall stiffness while central aortic pressure becomes better predictor of cardiovascular outcome than peripheral pressure. Reduction in CBP provides protective properties against subclinical organ damage. This work aims to investigate the effect of a new combination therapy of Amlodipine/Nebivolol (A/N) on central BP, peripheral BP and PWV. The results of using this combination will be compared to the well-established fixed-dose combination of Amlodipine/Valsartan (A/V). The study conducted between October 2018 and August 2020. One hundred and two hypertensive patients were assigned for Amlodipine 10 mg/Valsartan 160 mg combination therapy (A/V, n = 52) or Amlodipine 10 mg/Nebivolol 5 mg combination therapy (A/N, n = 50) by simple 1:1 randomization. Office, central blood pressure and PWV were measured on first (0 week), second (4–8 weeks) and third visit (10–12). Difference in BP (in each arm and between arms) was calculated along all visits.ResultsNo statistical significant difference was found between A/V and A/N regarding age, gender, BMI and CV history. OBP, CBP and PWV were significantly reduced in each arm, but no differences were found when comparing both arm results to each other. Recorded side effects were insignificant.ConclusionsThe new combination therapy Amlodipine/Nebivolol (A/N) affords a significant reduction in CBP, PBP and PWV with minor and tolerable side effects. It has provided comparable results to Amlodipine/Valsartan (A/V) combination therapy.

Метаболические эффекты генерического препарата телмисартан (ХИПотел) или его комбинации с S-амлодипином (Семлопин) или гидрохлоротиазидом в ТЕРапии пациентов с мягкой и умеренной артериальной гипертензией (результаты исследования ХИПСТЕР-АГ)

Цель: оценить метаболические эффекты генерического препарата телмисартан (Хипотел производства компании «Кусум Фарм», Украина) в качестве монотерапии или в комбинации с S-амлодипином (Семлопин производства компании «Кусум Фарм», Украина) у пациентов с мягкой и умеренной артериальной гипертензией (АГ). Материалы и методы. В исследование было включено 40 пациентов с мягкой и умеренной АГ. После семидневного периода отмены всех медикаментозных средств пациенты проходили первоначальное обследование и деление на группы методом слепых конвертов в зависимости от назначенной антигипертензивной терапии. В конце периода отмены оценивали повторно критерии включения в исследование. Если пациент отвечал критериям включения и не имел критериев исключения, то происходила рандомизация пациента. Назначали Хипотел в дозе 40–80 мг один раз в сутки в течение 2 недель. При недостижении целевого уровня артериального давления (АД) меньше 140/90 мм рт.ст. добавляли Семлопин 2,5–5 мг один раз в сутки еще в течение 1 месяца. Если не было достижения целевого уровня АД, добавляли гидрохлортиазид в дозе 12,5 мг один раз в сутки. Срок наблюдения составил 6 месяцев. Пациентам было проведено в начале и в конце исследования суточное мониторирование АД, определение глюкозы, инсулина крови, определен уровень НОМА, липидный спектр крови, выполнено биохимическое исследование крови, общий анализ крови и мочи. Результаты. Средний возраст больных составил 55,85 ± 2,09 года. Средняя масса тела составляла 87,30 ± 2,77 кг. Средний индекс массы тела — 29,41 ± 0,63 кг/м2. Средние цифры офисного систолического (САД) и диастолического (ДАД) АД в начале исследования составили 155,88 ± 1,63 мм рт.ст. и 92,60 ± 1,43 мм рт.ст. соответственно. Средняя офисная частота сердечных сокращений (ЧСС) — 71,40 ± 1,29 уд/мин. Средние уровни АД при амбулаторном мониторировании составляли для САД 139,37 ± 1,49 мм рт.ст., для ДАД — 82,47 ± 1,84 мм рт.ст. Средняя суточная ЧСС — 71,38 ± 1,32 уд/мин. Хипотел 40–80 мг в нашем исследовании в качестве монотерапии или в комбинации с Семлопином и/или гидро­хлортиазидом имел нейтральный эффект на инсулиновую чувствительность и уровень глюкозы и инсулина крови в течение 24 недель лечения. Не наблюдалось негативного влияния лечения на уровень липидного спектра крови. В подгруппе пациентов без инсулинорезистентности отмечалось достоверное уменьшение центрального АД, а индекс аугментации (АІх) имел тенденцию к уменьшению. В подгруппе пациентов с инсулинорезистентностью наблюдалось выраженное и достоверное уменьшение как центрального АД, так и индекса аугментации. Центральное САД (цСАД) связано с упруго-эластичными свойствами артерий, показателями офисного АД и степени его снижения, степенью гипертрофии левого желудочка, показателями системного воспаления и эректильной функции у мужчин. Метаболические показатели крови были связаны с показателями жесткости артерий, цСАД, офисным САД, степенью снижения пульсового АД при суточном мониторировании. Степень снижения НОМА коррелировала с АІх в конце лечения (r = –0,451, р = 0,018), скоростью клубочковой фильтрации после лечения (r = –0,362, р = 0,042), степенью снижения пульсового АД при суточном мониторировании (r = –0,484, р = 0,004). Степень снижения НОМА зависела от снижения уровня инсулина крови, коррелировала со степенью снижения пульсового АД при суточном мониторировании (r = –0,485, р = 0,004). Уровень глюкозы крови до лечения коррелирует с офисным САД после лечения (r = 0,439, р = 0,005), уровень глюкозы после лечения коррелировал с уровнем офисного САД после лечения (r = 0,357, р = 0,03). Степень снижения уровня глюкозы коррелировала с цСАД в начале лечения (r = –0,445, р = 0,018), уровнем офисного диастолического АД через 4 недели лечения (r = 0,461, р = 0,004), степенью снижения цСАД (r = 0,559, р = 0,002). Чем более значительно снижался уровень глюкозы крови в конце исследования, тем больше была степень снижения цСАД в конце лечения. Выводы. Телмисартан в монотерапии или в комбинации с S-амлодипином в подгруппе пациентов без инсулинорезистентности способствовал достоверному уменьшению центрального АД, а индекс аугментации имел тенденцию к уменьшению. В подгруппе пациентов с инсулинорезистентностью наблюдалось выраженное и достоверное уменьшение как центрального АД, так и индекса аугментации. Глюкоза, инсулин крови и НОМА были связаны с показателями жесткости артерий, центральным САД, офисным САД, степенью снижения пульсового АД при суточном мониторировании.

Drug Correction of Vascular Remodeling in Patients with Hypertension: Results of 52-Week Prospective Study ARTERIA-AG

Aim. To study the long-term dynamics of vascular remodeling in patients with hypertension and high and very high cardiovascular risk when statin is added to antihypertensive therapy with a fixed combination of calcium antagonist and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.Material and methods. Hypertensive patients (n=75) with high and very high cardiovascular risk (age 51.5 [44;58] years) were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups. The first group (n=36) received a fixed combination of amlodipine and lisinopril in starting dose of 5/10 mg/day. The second group (n=39) received the same antihypertensive therapy and additionally rosuvastatin (20 mg/day). The follow-up period was 52 weeks. The effect of therapy on the following parameters was evaluated: level of office and average daily blood pressure (BP), central BP in the aorta, augmentation index (AIx), pulse wave velocity (PWV), endothelium-dependent brachial artery vasodilation, carotid intima-media complex thickness, carotid arteries plaque height, and blood lipid profile indicators.Results. A significant decrease in office and average daily BP was found in both groups: from 171.5 (152;194)/104.5 (97;112) to 140.0 (129;154)/87.0 (83;95) mm Hg and from 142.1 (135;153)/86.7 (83;97) to 124.6 (119;133)/76.5 (73;80) mm Hg, respectively, in the 1st group; from 169.5 (160;190)/103.5 (95;109) to 135.0 (125;141)/83.0 (77;88) mm Hg and from 139.9 (136;152)/86.2 (80;92) to 125.1 (118;134)/74.0 (70;81) mm Hg, respectively, in the 2nd group (p&lt;0.001 for all changes). The frequency of reaching the target office BP level was higher in the 2nd group (p=0.031). Significant decrease in total cholesterol by 33.1% and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 50.0% was observed in the group 2. Central BP in the aorta decreased in both groups; the degree of central BP reduction did not differ significantly. AIx decreased from 36.5 (24;41)% to 25.0 (15;36)% (p=0.04) in the 1st group and from 36.0 (30;41)% to 24.0 (20;32)% in the 2nd group (p&lt;0.0001) with a more pronounced decrease in AIx after 24 weeks of therapy (-4.8% and -9.4%, respectively, p=0.036). This trend continued at the end of the observation (-6.4% and -10.8%, respectively, p=0.08). Carotid-femoral and carotid-radial PWV decreased only in the 2nd group from 9.5 (8.2;10.7) to 8.3 (7.6;8.9) m/s (p=0.003) and from 9,6 (8.5;10.6) to 8.4 (7.9;9.3) m/s (p=0.01), respectively. A significant decrease in the thickness of the intima-media from 1.08 (1.0;1.2) to 1.02 (0.9;1.1) cm (p&lt;0.0001) and the height of the plaque from 2.2 (2,2;1.7) to 2.1 (2.1;1.7) mm (p=0.001) was found in the 2nd group.Conclusion. Addition of rosuvastatin to the fixed combination of amlodipine and lisinopril in treatment of hypertensive patients with high and very high cardiovascular risk was accompanied by a more frequent (compared with amlodipine and lisinopril only) achievement of the target office BP level and more pronounced reduction in the following indicators: augmentation index, carotid-femoral and carotid-radial PWV, intima-media thickness, plaque height, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol blood levels.

A Critical Review of Nebivolol and its Fixed-Dose Combinations in the Treatment of Hypertension.

β-Adrenergic receptor blockers (β-blockers) are well-known useful and cost-effective drugs for managing hypertensive patients with coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. However, it is often difficult to use β-blockers for patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Moreover, most β-blockers negatively influence glucose or lipid metabolism. Nebivolol is a third-generation lipophilic β-1 receptor-selective blocker with nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatory effects, metabolically neutral and usually well tolerated by patients with asthma or COPD. Nebivolol has significant effects of reduction in central blood pressure and improvements in endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. To summarize the merits and demerits of nebivolol in different clinical situations, we conducted a review using the word 'nebivolol' on Pubmed and Embase, limiting the search to hypertension, clinical trials, and meta-analyses. This review summarizes the clinical studies on nebivolol itself and on the combination of nebivolol with other antihypertensive drugs, such as hydrochlorothiazide, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers, and amlodipine. Most studies showed the safety and well-tolerated profile of nebivolol and the combination of nebivolol with other antihypertensive drugs, which suggests that new fixed combinations of nebivolol with other antihypertensive drugs would be useful for patients who are unable to tolerate traditional β-blockers.

Clinical relevance of central blood pressure - a critical review.

Vital organs are exposed to the central rather than the brachial blood pressure. To date, central blood pressure can be assessed noninvasively through the use of several devices. In this review, we critically discuss the clinical relevance of central blood pressure assessment. Considerable evidence suggests that central blood pressure is a better predictor of end-organ damage than brachial blood pressure. However, there is still uncertainty concerning the value of central pressure for predicting cardiovascular outcomes, as the existing studies are underpowered to address this issue. A full synthesis of the available data is needed in this regard. Among the different antihypertensive drug classes, beta-blockers appear to lower central blood pressure less than brachial blood pressure. This difference may, at least in part, explain the reduced efficacy of beta-blockers in the prevention of cardiovascular outcomes compared with the other antihypertensive drug classes, which may lower central and brachial blood pressure to a similar extent. Nevertheless, this differential effect might not be relevant to the newer beta-blockers with vasodilating properties, including nebivolol, celliprolol and carvedilol. However, whether a preferential reduction of central blood pressure results in better outcomes should be further assessed by appropriately powered clinical trials. Other emerging challenges include the assessment of the potential predictive value of central blood pressure variability and the development of new antihypertensive medications based on central blood pressure rather than brachial blood pressure.

Reduction of Central Blood Pressure in Response to Oral Glucose Loading Is Blunted in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus.

Recent studies have shown that arterial stiffness is reduced after meal intake. We evaluated the acute response of central hemodynamics to glucose loading and the variation in their responses among normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and diabetes mellitus (DM). The study enrolled 85 patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease who underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Central hemodynamic measurements were assessed using radial applanation tonometry at fasting, 60, and 120 minutes after glucose loading. Glucose loading decreased the augmentation index normalized to a heart rate of 75 bpm (AIx@75) (81.6±13.9 to 74.5±14.1%, P < 0.01) and central systolic blood pressure (SBP) (115±22 to 109±21mm Hg, P < 0.01) at 120 minutes without a significant change in brachial SBP (126±25 to 125±25mm Hg, P = 0.93). Glucose loading decreased central SBP in NGT and IGT groups but did not affect the DM group. Change in AIx@75 at 120 minutes after glucose loading was blunted in IGT and DM groups compared with the NGT group (-5.7±4.4 vs. -3.6±4.1 vs. -9.3±6.2%, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified DM as an independent factor associated with the presence of blunted response of AIx to glucose loading. Oral glucose loading decreased central SBP and AIx@75 without a significant change in brachial SBP, and these central hemodynamic responses were blunted in patients with DM.

Reduction of central blood pressure after bathing in hot water-results of 24-hr ambulatory central blood pressure monitoring

Reduction of central blood pressure after bathing in hot water-results of 24-hr ambulatory central blood pressure monitoring

Enhanced External Counterpulsation Reduces Indices of Left Ventricular Wasted Energy and Myocardial Oxygen Demand in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Refractory Angina

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy decreases angina episodes and improves quality of life in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). However, the underlying mechanisms of EECP therapy in patients with LVD have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EECP on indices of central hemodynamics, aortic pressure wave reflection characteristics and estimates of LV load and myocardial oxygen demand in patients with LVD. Patients with chronic stable angina and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) &lt;40%, but &gt;30%, were randomized to either an EECP (LVEF=35.1±4.6%; n=10) or sham‐EECP (LVEF=34.3±4.2%; n=7) group. Pulse wave analysis of the central aortic pressure waveform and LV function were evaluated by applanation tonometry before and after 35 1‐hr sessions of EECP or Sham EECP. EECP therapy was effective in reducing indices of left ventricular wasted energy and myocardial oxygen demand by 25% and 19%, respectively. In addition, indices of coronary perfusion pressure and subendocardial perfusion were increased by 9% and 30% after EECP, respectively. Our data indicate that EECP may be useful as adjuvant therapy in heart failure patients through reductions in central blood pressure, aortic pulse pressure, wasted left ventricular energy, and myocardial oxygen demand which suggests improvements in ventricular‐vascular interactions.

Enhanced external counterpulsation reduces indices of central blood pressure and myocardial oxygen demand in patients with left ventricular dysfunction.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy decreases angina episodes and improves quality of life in patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanisms relative to the benefits of EECP therapy in patients with LV dysfunction have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EECP on indices of central haemodynamics, aortic pressure wave reflection characteristics, and estimates of LV load and myocardial oxygen demand in patients with LV dysfunction. Patients with chronic stable angina and LV ejection fraction < 40% but > 30%, were randomized to either an EECP group (LV ejection fraction = 35.1 ± 4.6%; n = 10) or sham-EECP group (LV ejection fraction = 34.3 ± 4.2%; n = 7). Pulse wave analysis of the central aortic pressure waveform and LV function were evaluated by applanation tonometry before and after 35 1-h sessions of EECP or sham-EECP. Enhanced external counterpulsation therapy was effective in reducing indices of LV wasted energy and myocardial oxygen demand by 25% and 19%, respectively. In addition, indices of coronary perfusion pressure and subendocardial perfusion were increased by 9% and 30%, respectively, after EECP. Our data indicate that EECP may be useful as adjuvant therapy for improving functional classification in heart failure patients through reductions in central blood pressure, aortic pulse pressure, wasted LV energy, and myocardial oxygen demand, which also suggests improvements in ventricular-vascular interactions.

Nebivolol reduces central blood pressure in stage I hypertensive patients: experimental single cohort study.

Assessment of central blood pressure (BP) has grown substantially over recent years because evidence has shown that central BP is more relevant to cardiovascular outcomes than peripheral BP. Thus, different classes of antihypertensive drugs have different effects on central BP despite similar reductions in brachial BP. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nebivolol, a β-blocker with vasodilator properties, on the biochemical and hemodynamic parameters of hypertensive patients. Experimental single cohort study conducted in the outpatient clinic of a university hospital. Twenty-six patients were recruited. All of them underwent biochemical and hemodynamic evaluation (BP, heart rate (HR), central BP and augmentation index) before and after 3 months of using nebivolol. 88.5% of the patients were male; their mean age was 49.7 ± 9.3 years and most of them were overweight (29.6 ± 3.1 kg/m2) with large abdominal waist (102.1 ± 7.2 cm). There were significant decreases in peripheral systolic BP (P = 0.0020), diastolic BP (P = 0.0049), HR (P < 0.0001) and central BP (129.9 ± 12.3 versus 122.3 ± 10.3 mmHg; P = 0.0083) after treatment, in comparison with the baseline values. There was no statistical difference in the augmentation index or in the biochemical parameters, from before to after the treatment. Nebivolol use seems to be associated with significant reduction of central BP in stage I hypertensive patients, in addition to reductions in brachial systolic and diastolic BP.

Effect of beta-1-blocker, nebivolol, on central aortic pressure and arterial stiffness in patients with essential hypertension

Introduction:Blood pressure (BP) reduction is the major determinant of benefit provided by antihypertensive treatment. Although different drugs reduce peripheral BP to some extent, there may be a significant difference in their effect on central BP reduction. It has been shown that beta-blockers are efficient in reducing peripheral, but not central BP. This study was done to assess the effect of beta-1-blocker, nebivolol, in patients with essential hypertension on central aortic pressures and arterial stiffness.Materials and Methods:In this single arm, open-labeled study, 13 patients were given nebivolol, 5 mg orally once daily for 15 days. Primary outcome was change in central aortic pressure, and other measures of efficacy included changes in brachial BP, augmentation index (AIx%), AIx%@75 HR, augmentation pressure (AP), heart rate (HR), and carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf).Results:Nebivolol 5 mg significantly reduced central aortic pressures [systolic BP, 131.5–111.6 mmHg; diastolic BP, 96.3–81.7 mmHg; Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), 111.3–94.0 mmHg (all P<0.0001), and Pulse Pressure (PP), 35.2-29.7 mmHg (P<0.01)]. AIx%@75 HR reduced from 29 to 21.6 (P<0.001) and PWVcf reduced from 8.6 to 7.2 m/s (P<0.001). One subject was lost to followup.Conclusion:Nebivolol 5 mg demonstrated antihypertensive efficacy in patients with essential hypertension by reducing not only peripheral brachial pressures, but also significantly reducing central aortic pressures, augmentation index, and carotid femoral pulse wave velocity, which is the marker of arterial stiffness.

A new dimension in hypertension management with the amlodipine/perindopril combination

Recent guidelines are consistent in acknowledging that most hypertensive patients need at least two drugs for optimal blood pressure (BP) control. Trial data are available to support the use of a renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blocker (ie, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker), plus a diuretic, a RAS blocker plus a calcium channel blocker (CCB), and a CCB plus a diuretic. The ACCOMPLISH trial demonstrated somewhat convincingly that an ACE inhibitor/CCB is superior to the same ACE inhibitor plus a thiazide. In the ASCOT trial, amlodipine/perindopril was superior to beta-blocker/thiazide in its effects on all major cardiovascular outcomes and new-onset diabetes. Further substudies of ASCOT provided plausible explanations for the benefits of amlodipine/perindopril strategy. In the CAFE substudy, amlodipine/perindopril was significantly more effective in the reduction of central BP as compared to atenolol/bendroflumethiazide, despite similar brachial BP reduction. More recently, analysis of long-term BP variability provided a further explanation for the reduction of cardiovascular events with amlodipine/perindopril in ASCOT. Thus, the combination of perindopril and amlodipine seems an ideal logical evidence-based pair of antihypertensive agents to select.

Resistance exercise training reduces central blood pressure and improves microvascular function in African American and white men

Objective African American men have stiffer large central arteries and impaired dilation of smaller peripheral arteries when compared to their white peers. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of resistance exercise training (RT) on vascular function and central blood pressure (BP) in young (22 years) African American and white men. Methods Vascular and hemodynamic measures were made in 19 African American and 18 white men at baseline and following 6-weeks of RT. Carotid BP and carotid/brachial artery β-stiffness were measured by tonometry and ultrasonography, respectively. Aortic BP was measured by radial artery tonometry and a generalized transfer function. Aortic stiffness was measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV). Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography before and during reactive hyperemia (RH) induced by 5-min of brachial artery occlusion. Results There were similar reductions in central BP and similar increases in FBF–RH in both African American and white men following RT ( p < 0.05). There were no changes in brachial systolic BP, carotid stiffness, and aortic PWV in either group ( p > 0.05). There was an increase in brachial stiffness in African American but not white men following RT ( p < 0.05). Conclusions RT led to reductions in central BP and increases in microvascular endothelial function with no effect on central artery stiffness in both groups of young men. RT increased brachial stiffness in African American men. Measurement of conventional brachial BP does not capture the central hemodynamic and vascular response to exercise training due to disparate racial changes in regional vascular properties.

Analysis of Central Blood Pressure during Diphtheria Intoxication in Rabbits

Diphtheria intoxication was induced in rabbits by a single intravenous injection of native diphtheria toxin in dose of 0.3 MLD/kg, preliminary titrated on guinea pigs. Significant decrease in diastolic and systolic blood pressure and in intraventricular pressure in the left ventricle was established to take place during intoxication. Pulse wave propagation time was prolonged, likely due to prolongation of pressure wave, while the reflection wave appeared at the same time. Reduction of central blood pressure was concluded to result from changes in biomechanical characteristics of the left ventricle, and not to be associated with changes in elastic properties of the arterial wall.

Reduced central blood pressure in older adults following progressive resistance training

The effect of a programme of resistance training on central blood pressure ( BP) and arterial stiffness was studied in 17 men and women aged 65 - 78 years. Following 20 weeks of training, central systolic and diastolic BPs were significantly reduced by 6 and 3 mm Hg, respectively, with little change to systemic arterial stiffness. Overall, resistance training as a sole exercise intervention conferred clinically significant reductions in central BP.

Peri-Implantation Undernutrition Programs Blunted Angiotensin II Evoked Baroreflex Responses in Young Adult Sheep

An adverse environment around conception and implantation influences later fetal growth and development to term in humans and sheep. Indeed, preimplantation undernutrition of rats elevated the systolic blood pressure of the resultant adult offspring. In this study, adult cardiovascular function is examined in a slower growing, non-litter-bearing species after peri-implantation undernutrition. Eight ewes were fed to 50% equivalent food intake of 12 control ewes from 1 to 30 days (term approximately 147 days) only. Following consumption of an adequate diet to term, natural lambing, and then weaning, resting cardiovascular status and baroreflex function were examined in the resultant young adult offspring. Birth weight and postnatal growth to 1 year of age were unaffected by early undernutrition; however, nutrient-restricted sheep had increased pulse pressure, a reduced rate pressure product, and a leftward shift in their baroreflex function curve. Baroreflex sensitivity during angiotensin II infusion was also blunted in early nutrient-restricted sheep but the tachycardia following a reduction in central blood pressure appeared potentiated, relative to controls. The data suggest that peri-implantation undernutrition may program long-term cardiovascular dysfunction that ultimately increases the risk of hypertension later in life. An increase in regional angiotensin II activity during this critical early phase of development is a likely candidate mechanism for the effects observed. The data have broad implications for the health outcome of those offspring from mothers who were poorly nourished during early, often unknown pregnancy and for embryos artificially manipulated because of infertility treatment.