Types Of Antihypertensive Agents Research Articles

Prognosis and risk factors for the adverse course of the disease in patients with arterial hypertension and its resistant form

Arterial hypertension (AH) is expected to contribute to approximately 13% of all deaths worldwide in the coming years. Objective — to perform retrospective analysis of the factors of the adverse course of the disease in patients with hypertension who were treated in a specialized department for secondary and pulmonary hypertension of the «NSC M. D. The Strazhesko Institute of Cardiology, Clinical and Regenerative Medicine » NAMS of Ukraine. Materials and methods. The analysis involved data from 524 patients who underwent the following standard examinations: measurement of office blood pressure (BP), 24h‑hours BP monitoring, echocardiography, electrocardiography. All patients received a questionnaire in five years after discharge from the hospital. It included questions about previous adverse events (myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina that required hospitalization, kidney failure, heart failure, newly diagnosed diabetes, hospitalization for another cardiovascular reason (aortic aneurysm, coronary artery bypass grafting, unstable angina pectoris, etc.). In case of death of a patient, relatives filled in the questionnaire. Adverse events or death were considered as a combined end point (CEP) of the study. Results. The following main factors, associated with the CEP occurrence in the examined patients, have been established: the age of the patient, systolic blood pressure level at discharge from the hospital, the level of pulse blood pressure (PBP) at discharge from the hospital, the presence of postinfarction cardiosclerosis, a history of stroke, increased size of the left atrium, reduced ejection fraction of the left ventricle, increased thickness of the interventricular septum, left ventricular myocardial mass index greater than 137 g/m2, disturbed daily profile of diastolic blood pressure (DBP), average daytime PBP level ≥ 64 mm Hg. The following risk factors were independent from other factors of CEP occurrence: the level of office PBP at discharge from the hospital ≥64 mmHg, reduced ejection fraction of the left ventricle ( 40%), thickening of the interventricular septum >1.2 cm, the mass index of the left ventricle > 137 g/m2, a decrease in BP during the night period<10%, average daytime BP during daily monitoring blood pressure ≥64 mmHg. Among the indicated factors, the following factors didn’t depend on the administered therapy: office PBP level ≥64 mmHg at discharge, left ventricular ejection fraction reduced by <40%, violation of the daily blood pressure profile (daily blood pressure index <10%) or average daily blood pressure higher than 64 mm Hg. Factors that significantly increased the CEP risk included systolic blood pressure level ≥160 mmHg (patients with resistant AH) and PBP ≥64 mmHg at discharge from the hospital; the CEP risk was increased by these factors was 84 and 66%, respectively. No significant effects on the frequency of occurrence of the combined end point were established for any group of antihypertensive drugs. Conclusions. Treatment‑resistant hypertension was a determining factor in the development of the combined end point. The degree of arterial pressure decrease was more significant for prognosis than the type of antihypertensive agent that lowered it.

Association of antihypertensives during hospitalisation with acute respiratory failure in patients with viral pneumonia: A population-based case-control study.

We aimed to identify associations between the risk of acute respiratory failure (ARF) and types of antihypertensive agents in patients with viral pneumonia. In this case-control study, data extracted from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were analysed. The base population comprised patients with viral pneumonia treated from 2000 to 2013. The case group comprised patients with ARF and the control group comprised participants without ARF. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a multivariable logistic regression model. In total, 4427 viral pneumonia patients with ARF and 4427 matched control participants without ARF were recruited. Patients with diabetes, alcohol-related disease, asthma, chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, congestive heart failure, stroke, acute pulmonary oedema and shock had increased odds of developing ARF, especially shock (adjusted OR=49.3; 95% CI=27.4, 88.7), cancer (12.6; 8.67, 18.2) and stroke (7.51; 5.32, 10.6). Increasing odds of developing ARF were noted in patients using potassium-sparing diuretics (2.95; 1.54, 5.64), loop diuretics (68.2; 48.1, 96.6), calcium channel blockers (1.64; 1.26, 2.13) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (1.70; 1.15, 2.53). Patients with prescriptions of α-blockers (0.44; 0.26, 0.74), β-blockers (0.37; 0.26, 0.52), thiazides (0.38; 0.25, 0.59) and angiotensin receptor blockers (0.65; 0.51, 0.83) had lower odds of having ARF. Patients with viral pneumonia who received α-blockers, β-blockers, thiazides or angiotensin receptor blockers during hospitalisation had a lower risk of developing ARF.

Association between early post-transplant hypertension or related antihypertensive use and prognosis of kidney transplant recipients: a nationwide observational study.

Additional research is warranted for the clinical significance of post-transplant hypertension and related antihypertensive medication use in kidney transplant (KT) recipients. This observational study included nationwide KT recipients who maintained a functioning graft for at least 1year after KT in South Korea, observed between 2008 and 2017. The use of antihypertensive medications lasting between 6months and 1year was the main exposure, and those who had inconsistent/transient use of antihypertensive drugs were excluded. The prognostic outcome included death-censored graft failure (DCGF), death-with functioning graft (DWFG), and major adverse cerebrocardiovascular events (MACCEs). We included 8,014 patients without post-transplant hypertension and 6,114 recipients who received treatment for hypertension in the post-transplant period. Those with post-transplant hypertension had asignificantly higherrisk of DCGF than those without [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.27 (1.09-1.48)]. Post-transplant hypertension patients who required multiple drugs showed asignificantly higher risk of DWFG [HR 1.57 (1.17-2.10)] and MACCE [HR 1.35 (1.01-1.81)] than the controls. Among the single-agent users, those who received beta-blockers showed a significantly higher risk of DCGF, although the risks of DWFG or MACCE were similar between the types of antihypertensive agents. Among the multiple agent users, the prognosis was similar, regardless of the prescribed types of antihypertensive agents. Post-transplant hypertension was associated with poor post-transplant prognosis, particularly when multiple types of medications were required for treatment. During initial prescription of antihypertensive medication, clinicians may consider that beta-blockers were associated with a higher risk of DCGF in the single-agent users.

Persistent Resistant Hypertension Has Worse Renal Outcomes in Chronic Kidney Disease than that Resolved in Two Years: Results from the KNOW-CKD Study.

Apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (ATRH) is closely related to chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the long-term outcomes and the effects of improvement in ATRH in patients with CKD are not well understood. We evaluated the relationship between the persistence of ATRH and the progression of CKD. This cohort study enrolled 1921 patients with CKD. ATRH was defined as blood pressure above 140/90 mmHg and intake of three different types of antihypertensive agents, including diuretics, or intake of four or more different types of antihypertensive agents, regardless of blood pressure. We defined ATRH subgroups according to the ATRH status at the index year and two years later. The prevalence of ATRH at baseline was 14.0%. The presence of ATRH at both time points was an independent risk factor for end-point renal outcome (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.04–1.92; p = 0.027). On the other hand, the presence of ATRH at any one of the time points was not statistically significant. In conclusion, persistent ATRH is more important for the prognosis of renal disease than the initial ATRH status. Continuous follow-up and appropriate treatment are important to improve the renal outcomes.

Reninoma: A Rare Cause of Endocrine Hypertension

Juxtaglomerular tumours are rare causes of secondary hypertension. They typically present with difficult-to-manage hypertension, hypokalemia, hyperreninemia and secondary hyperaldosteronism. The authors describe a clinical case of a 45 years old female patient, with personal history of difficult-to-manage hypertension and hypokalemia since age 35, medicated with four types of anti-hypertensive agents. An analytical study was performed, which revealed secondary hyperaldosteronism [aldosterone 44.3 ng/dL (4 - 28 ng/dL), renin > 1000 mIU/mL (4.4 - 46.2 mIU/mL)]. Abdominal computed tomography scan identified a heterogeneous nodule located in the middle third of the right kidney, with 3.7 cm. Partial nephrectomy was performed and histological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of reninoma. After surgery, the patient had normal levels of aldosterone (9.2 ng/dL) and renin (1.20 mIU/mL), as well as normal blood pressure. The authors want to highlight this potentially curable cause of endocrine hypertension. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice and leads to normalization of blood pressure.

Abstract WP124: Ataste 2: Assessment of Anti-Hypertensive Treatment and Acute Stroke Treatment Efficiency 2

Introduction: Treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with tPA must be rapid for timely cerebral reperfusion. Anti-hypertensive (AHT) medication may be required to lower blood pressures prior to tPA. Optimal AHT use and its impact on tPA times is unclear. We examined treatment with IV bolus only (IVB), IV continuous infusion only (IVCI), or both bolus and infusion (BBI) AHTs on door-to-needle time (DTN) in AIS patients eligible for IV tPA. We hypothesized that 1) DTN would be significantly longer in patients requiring IV AHT before treatment and 2) DTN would be significantly lower in patients treated with IVCI compared to IVB or BBI. Methods: We analyzed all stroke codes who received IV tPA at our comprehensive stroke center from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2019. Subjects were grouped by those that required IV AHT prior to IV tPA (med+tPA) and those that did not (no-med+tPA). The three medication groups were IVB, IVCI, or BBI. Variables examined were initial and immediate pre-treatment blood pressures, NIHSS, mRS, and initial blood glucose. The primary outcome was DTN between groups. Results: Overall, 288 patients were included in the analysis. Approximately 12% (n=35) of patients required IV AHTs before tPA. There was a significant difference between the med+tPA and no-med+tPA groups in 1) median NIHSS (12.5, 10; p=0.040) and initial mean glucose (142, 122.5; p<0.001), respectively. DTN was significantly longer in med+tPA vs no-med+tPA mean (77.5 min, 56.4 min; p=0.036). Systolic blood pressures (SBP) were significantly higher in patients requiring AHT treatment (initial SBP: med+tPA 175.5 mmHg, no-med-tPA 144.1 mmHg, p=0.001). There was no difference in DTN between IVB, IVCI, or BBI groups when compared to the no-med+tPA group (p=0.351, 1.000, & 0.997). There was no difference in the 90-day mRS between IVB, IVCI, or BBI compared to control (p=0.236, 0.339, & 0.326). Conclusions: Fewer patients required AHT than expected suggesting lower rates of baseline hypertension in our region. Type of AHT agent used did not significantly impact DTN. This may be due to the small sample size of patients receiving blood pressure medication prior to tPA in this study. Further prospective studies are needed to examine the optimal AHT treatment modality on DTN.

Impact of antihypertensive agents on clinical course and in-hospital mortality: analysis of 169 hypertensive patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging health threat caused by a novel coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). Previous studies have noted hypertension is associated with increased mortality due to COVID-19; however, it is not clear whether the increased risk is due to hypertension itself or antihypertensive agents. We aimed to evaluate the impact of antihypertensive agents on the clinical outcomes of hypertensive patients with COVID-19. Our study included 169 consecutive hypertensive patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 between March 20 and April 10, 2020. The demographic characteristics, clinical data, and type of antihypertensive agents being used were reviewed. The mean age of patients was 65.8±11.7 years.30 patients(17.7%) died during hospitalization. A total of 142 patients(84%) were using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), 91 (53.8%) were using diuretics, 69 (40.8%) were using calcium channel blockers (CCBs), 66 (39.1%) were using beta-blockers, 12 (7.1%) were using alpha-blockers, and 5 (2.9%) were using mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). There was no significant difference between survivors and non-survivors based on the type of antihypertensive agents being used. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the type of the antihypertensive agent being used had no effect on mortality [OR=0.527 (0.130-2.138), p=0.370 for ACEIs/ARBs; OR=0.731 (0.296-1.808), p=0.498 for CCBs; OR=0.673 (0.254-1.782), p=0.425 for diuretics; OR=1.846 (0.688-4.950), p=0.223 for beta-blockers; OR=0.389 (0.089-1.695), p=0.208 for alpha-blockers; and OR=1.372 (0.107-17.639), p=0.808 for MRAs]. The type of antihypertensive agent being used had no effect on the clinical course and mortality in hypertensive patients with COVID-19. The use of these agents should be maintained for the treatment of hypertension during hospitalization.

Self-Management Behaviors of Patients with Hypertension in Daily Life

Background: In a rapidly aging Japanese society, the number of patients with hypertension has seen a steady increase. The basic treatments for hypertension are maintaining blood pressure through medication and preventing complications. It is important for patients with hypertension to perform self-management. This improves their lifestyle while controlling their blood pressure to prevent complications and maintain good health. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the actual self-management behavior ability of patients with hypertension and to clarify the factors involved in their self-management behavior. Methods: A total of 150 patients with hypertension were included in this study. The following data were obtained from the patients as background information: sex, age, years with disease, whether they are receiving antihypertensive agents, type of antihypertensive agent, blood test data, heart thoracic ratio, left ventricular ejection fraction, pulse wave, pulse wave velocity, and height. The levels of self-management skills of the patients were also assessed using the “Instrument to Measure the Self-care of patients with Hypertension” developed by Tsuboi et al. Results: The associations among self-management behaviors in daily life, such as diet, exercise, stress, medication, alcohol intake, and smoking, were analyzed in patients with hypertension. The subjects were classified into the following three groups: aged 65 years or below (Group A), early stage elderly individuals (Group B), and late-stage elderly individuals aged 75 years or over (Group C). The results showed that the subjects in Group C had higher self-management scores for diet, exercise, stress, medication, and drinking than the subjects in the other two groups. The scores of smoking and self-management of the subjects in Group A were high but their other self-management scores were low. All the subjects were taking between 1 to 3 types of oral antihypertensive drugs. The rate of achievement of the target blood pressure was 50% or more in all the three groups. However, the pulse wave velocity was high in all the three groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that the risk of developing disorders of the brain and cardiovascular system is high in all the three groups, owing to the high degree of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, increasing the number of nursing interventions is expected to reduce blood pressure, maintain and promote self-management behavior in daily life, and prevent the onset of complications. The results suggest that nursing interventions involving lifestyle guidance for improving the self-management skills of patients are urgently needed by patients under 65 years of age.

Blood pressure is normal, but is the heart?

There is no detailed strain analysis of cardiac functions in treated hypertensive pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardio-protective effects of different drug classes in treated pediatric hypertensive patients. Sixty non-obese-treated hypertensive patients with preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function and 45 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy subjects underwent clinical evaluation, including 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, standard echocardiographic examination, tissue Doppler imaging, and two-dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography. The patients were divided into two subgroups based on the effects of the drugs on the Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System. The subgroup hypertension (HT) 1 received angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker, and HT 2 subgroup received calcium channel blocker, β-blocker, or diuretics. There was no difference between the two groups and subgroups with respect to clinical, demographic, ABPM, ventricular volumes, ejection fraction, and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters. For patients and controls, respectively, global longitudinal strain was - 18.70 ± 3.41 versus - 21.01 ± 3.82 (P < 0.001), and global radial strain was 40.6 ± 9.8 versus 54.8 ± 12.8 (P = 0.004). Peak LV twist and peak LV torsion were not significantly different. The patient subgroup analyses with each other revealed no difference in systolic and diastolic myocardial deformation properties. Strain parameters were reduced in all treated hypertensive children compared to normotensive children, and the various cardiac mechanic parameters were similarly abnormal no matter what type of antihypertensive agent was used.

Impact of different antihypertensives on carotid arterial wall thickness.

Hypertension has been associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Carotid intima media thickness is increased in hypertensive patients. But, the correlation between carotid intima media thickness and antihypertensive agents is still uncertain. Therefore, we investigated carotid intima media thickness based on types of antihypertensive agents. 1809 patients were enrolled in this study and it showed that 1079 hypertensive patients had thicker carotid intima media thickness than non-hypertensive patients, with carotid intima media thicknesses of (0.72±17mm vs 0.64±15mm, P<.001), (0.31±0.07mm vs 0.30±0.06mm, P<.001), and (0.41±0.13mm vs 0.35±0.12mm, P<.001). Additionally, hypertensive patients on beta-blockers also had thicker carotid intima media thickness than the non-beta-blocker group, with carotid intima media thicknesses of (0.74±0.18mm vs 0.71±0.16mm, P=.018), (0.33±0.09mm vs 0.31±0.07mm, P=.029), and (0.43±0.13mm vs 0.40±0.13mm, P=.035). Multivariate analysis showed that carotid intima thickness was only correlated with beta-blockers (odds ratio=2.489, confidence interval=1.183-5.239, P=.016); however, this study showed that beta-blocker could be associated with increased carotid wall thickness as well.

Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: "Connecting the Dots" in Epidemiology and Pathophysiology.

There is robust evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies showing that elevated heart rate (HR) constitutes a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension, underlining the significance of HR measurement in them. Autonomous nervous system dysfunction and atherosclerosis are important features in the pathogenesis of the untoward events. However, the relationship between HR and blood pressure (BP) is complex and differs depending on the type of BP measurement which is considered. This differentiation implicates complex physiological mechanisms and is of clinical importance regarding the divergent effect of the different types of antihypertensive agents on these parameters. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between HR and BP based on epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies.

Eclampsia: Still a major problem in rural KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Background. Eclampsia is a major direct cause of maternal mortality in South Africa (SA). Most cases of morbidity and mortality are probably due to late booking for antenatal care, poor quality of care and poor interfacility transport. Publications on eclampsia in SA are mainly from tertiary hospitals and often do not provide clinical management details at the referring hospital. Objective. To describe the obstetric outcomes of eclampsia in a rural area of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province. Methods. This was a chart review of cases of eclampsia admitted to a regional health facility serving 19 maternity clinics and 17 district hospitals in northern KZN. Results. There were 58 cases of eclampsia with complete data during the 6-month study period. Forty-nine women had booked for antenatal care, of whom 11 (22.4%) had risk factors including persistent proteinuria and haematuria. Of the 11, 2 (18.1%) had gestational hypertension well controlled on methyldopa and managed on an outpatient basis, and 2 with mild to moderate pre-eclampsia on two different types of antihypertensive agents were being treated as outpatients; 3 (27.2%) of these had uncontrolled blood pressure levels on two repeated antenatal visits. Conclusion. This clinical audit indicates that a number of cases of eclampsia could have been avoided if clinical protocols had been followed and timeous delivery and/or referrals had been considered.

Eclampsia : still a major problem in rural KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa : research

Background. Eclampsia is a major direct cause of maternal mortality in South Africa (SA). Most cases of morbidity and mortality are probably due to late booking for antenatal care, poor quality of care and poor interfacility transport. Publications on eclampsia in SA are mainly from tertiary hospitals and often do not provide clinical management details at the referring hospital. Objective. To describe the obstetric outcomes of eclampsia in a rural area of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province. Methods. This was a chart review of cases of eclampsia admitted to a regional health facility serving 19 maternity clinics and 17 district hospitals in northern KZN. Results. There were 58 cases of eclampsia with complete data during the 6-month study period. Forty-nine women had booked for antenatal care, of whom 11 (22.4%) had risk factors including persistent proteinuria and haematuria. Of the 11, 2 (18.1%) had gestational hypertension well controlled on methyldopa and managed on an outpatient basis, and 2 with mild to moderate pre-eclampsia on two different types of antihypertensive agents were being treated as outpatients; 3 (27.2%) of these had uncontrolled blood pressure levels on two repeated antenatal visits. Conclusion. This clinical audit indicates that a number of cases of eclampsia could have been avoided if clinical protocols had been followed and timeous delivery and/or referrals had been considered.

Effects of different types of antihypertensive agents on arterial stiffness: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

This system review and meta-analysis was conducted to systematically review and analyze the clinical benefits of different antihypertensive agents in improving arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients. PubMed database was searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) or other types of antihypertensive agents on pulse wave velocity (PWV). The main indicators were the improvements of PWV and augmentation index (AI) before and after randomized treatments with antihypertensive agents. For the studies that only provided the mean and standard deviation of the indicators before and after randomization, the standardized mean difference (SMD) method was directly applied to combine the mean and standard deviation of various indicators after the treatment. For the studies provided the mean and standard deviation of the changes of the indicators, the weighted mean difference (MD) method was applied to combine the mean and standard deviation of the therapeutic effect. Ten RCT studies were included and the sample sizes range from 40 to 201 (total: 938). Four studies provided the changes of PWV before and after randomization, the pooled analysis showed that the changes of PWV in ARB group were not significantly higher than other antihypertensive agents [MD: 125.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): -78.70 to 330.23, P=0.23]; 4 studies provided the PWV values before and after randomization, the PWV values in ARB group were not significantly superior (SMD: 0.04, 95% CI: -0.16 to 0.24, P=0.71). Three studies provided the changes of AI before and after randomization, the ability of ARB to lower the level of the AI was superior to other antihypertensive agents (MD: 8.94, 95% CI: 2.18-5.71, P=0.01); 2 studies provided the AI value after randomization, the abilities of ARB and other anti-hypertensive agents to improve the AI were similar (SMD: 0.03, 95% CI: -1.20 to 1.26, P=0.06). The effect of ARB on the improvement of the PWV level is not superior to other types of antihypertensive agents, but ARB is superior to other types of antihypertensive agents for improving the AI level. Overall, to improve of arterial stiffness, ARB maybe is superior to other antihypertensive agents.

Renal (tissue) kallikrein-kinin system in the kidney and novel potential drugs for salt-sensitive hypertension.

A large variety of antihypertensive drugs, such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, and others, are prescribed to hypertensive patients, with good control of the condition. In addition, all individuals are generally believed to be salt sensitive and, thus, severe restriction of salt intake is recommended to all. Nevertheless, the physiological defense mechanisms in the kidney against excess salt intake have not been well clarified. The present review article demonstrated that the renal (tissue) kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) is ideally situated within the nephrons of the kidney, where it functions to inhibit the reabsorption of NaCl through the activation of bradykinin (BK)-B2 receptors localized along the epithelial cells of the collecting ducts (CD). Kinins generated in the CD are immediately inactivated by two kidney-specific kinin-inactivating enzymes (kininases), carboxypeptidase Y-like exopeptidase (CPY), and neutral endopeptidase (NEP). Our work demonstrated that ebelactone B and poststatin are selective inhibitors of these kininases. The reduced secretion of the urinary kallikrein is linked to the development of salt-sensitive hypertension, whereas potassium ions and ATP-sensitive potassium channel blockers ameliorate salt-sensitive hypertension by accelerating the release of renal kallikrein. On the other hand, ebelactone B and poststatin prolong the life of kinins in the CD after excess salt intake, thereby leading to the augmentation of natriuresis and diuresis, and the ensuing suppression of salt-sensitive hypertension. In conclusion, accelerators of the renal kallikrein release and selective renal kininase inhibitors are both novel types of antihypertensive agents that may be useful for treatment of salt-sensitive hypertension.

The impact of combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-hypertensive agents on blood pressure.

Nowadays NSAIDs are the most frequently used groups of drugs, especially because of their availability. Their consumption is high among older people, who are much more sensitive to the side effects, and who are often also taking other drugs which can interact with them. Moreover, the majority of the older population is suffering from hypertension. This could well explain the commonly encountered experience of drug interaction between NSAIDs and antihypertensive drugs, which is very common in clinical practice. The severity of this drug interaction is classified as class C, with arecommendation to monitor therapy. However, even aminor long-term increase in blood pressure can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality, while mortality rates can possibly be reduced by sufficiently effective treatment of hypertension. Therefore, in clinical practice, this type of interaction should not be overlooked as amajor cause of failure of hypertension treatment in older patients, as well in many cases in general. The present article focusses on the mechanism and the degree of influence on the blood pressure of particular types of antihypertensive agents used in combination with NSAID.Not all groups of antihypertensive drugs are affected to the same degree; some are more affected, and others, such as calcium channel blockers, are not affected at all. Similarly, not every NSAID increases blood pressure. Many studies, some of which are analyzed in this article, present evidence of the degree of the influence NSAIDs have on blood pressure.

Duration of hypertension and antihypertensive agents in correlation with the phases of female sexual response cycle

ObjectiveThis cross-sectional study aimed to determine the construct of the phases of the female sexual response cycle (SRC) in women with hypertension and their association with the duration of hypertension and types of antihypertensive agents. MethodsThe sexual response phases were measured with a validated Malay version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The correlations structure of the items of the SRC's phases (i.e. desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction and pain) was determined using principal component analysis (PCA), with varimax rotation method. The number of factors obtained was decided using Kaiser's criteria. A total of 348 hypertensive women were recruited for this study. Four constructs were extracted in the analysis of all subjects. ResultsUsing the factor analysis, the six domains (i.e. sexual desire, arousal, etc.) of the women's SRC among hypertensive women merged into 4 constructs. They were composed of (i) sexual desire and arousal, (ii) orgasm and sexual satisfaction, (iii) vaginal lubrication and (iv) sexual pain. Interestingly, vaginal lubrication stood out alone as one construct, compared to the non-hypertensive women. It was also observed that the duration of hypertension, beta blocker and diuretic antihypertensive medications had different influence on the SCR (in terms of constructs). ConclusionDuration of hypertension and types of antihypertensive drugs may affect the components of the SRC. A clear understanding would help the clinician in strategizing the treatment approach of sexual dysfunction in women with hypertension.

Ancianos con hipertensión arterial esencial y filtrado glomerular disminuido: seguimiento de la función renal a los 24 meses

Introduction and objective There prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP) in the elderly is high. Its lack of control is a risk factor for progression of kidney damage. HBP and Diabetes Mellitus are the principal causes of chronic renal failure (CRF). We have analyzed the evolution of the renal function (RF) in the elderly with HBP at 24 months, taking the influence of the previous RF into account. Patients and methods A total of 66 clinically stable elderly subjects with essential HBP, average age 82.3±6 years (range 69–97) at the onset of the study, 24.2% men, were studied. The patients were evaluated initially between January -April, 2006 and followed-up for 24 months. The elderly subjects came from Geriatrics and General Nephrology Departments and were followed-up by the Departments in question during the study period. We established two groups according to the baseline serum creatinine values: group 1: N=30, serum creatinine <=1.1 mg/dl and group 2 N=36, serum creatinine >1.1 mg/dl. Number and type of antihypertensive agents used at baseline and at 24 months and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) levels prior to the medical visit were recorded. The following were measured in blood: creatinine, urea, and uric acid and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were calculated with the Cockroft-Gault and abbreviated MDRD formulas. Statistics were obtained with the SPSS 11.0 using a generalized linear model with repeated measures, significance, p<0.05. Results The RF parameters, when analyzed globally, showed no significant changes over time: (baseline/24 months: serum Creatinine (mg/dl): 1.26±0.48/ 1.26±0.46 (non-significant); urea (mg/dl): 58.52±29/61.52±30 (non-significant); uric acid (mg/dl): 5.94±1 /6.13±1 (non-significant); GFR (Cockroft) (ml/min): 41.33±13 / 40.32±14 (non-significant); GFR (MDRD)(ml/min): 51.23±15/51.45±16 (non-significant). There were also no differences in evolution for groups having previous RF. In the follow-up, 21.2% elderly subjects died, 68.2% required two or more antihypertensive agents to control their baseline BP. Diuretics were the drugs most frequently prescribed (80%) and beta-blockers were the least used. No significant variations were found regarding the percentage of patients who needed 2 or more antihypertensive agents at 24 months nor for the drugs used. Only 17% of the patients had systolic BP <140 mmHg and 6.48% had diastolic BP <90 mmHg. Conclusions The RF stability at 24 months in the elderly with essential high blood pressure allows us to be optimistic regarding chronic kidney disease in this population.

Calcium antagonists: current and future applications based on new evidence. Renal protective action of calcium channel blockers

Ca channel blockers have been widely prescribed as an antihypertensive agent in Japan, because the blood pressure (BP) lowering effect of it is strong among Japanese patients whose amount of salt intake is high and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) whose sodium sensitivity of BP is enhanced. In addition, it can maintain the perfusion pressure into important organs including kidneys despite lowered systemic BP, and can be used efficiently in combinations with many types of antihypertensive agents. On the other hand, most of Ca channel blockers dilate mainly preglomerular afferent arterioles, resulting in elevated glomerular capillary pressure. Therefore, renal protection by Ca channel blockers remains in debate. We will discuss the renal protective action of new Ca channel blockers, which can dilate postglomerular efferent arterioles.

Effects of Antihypertensive Drugs on Alcohol-Induced Functional Responses of Cultured Human Endothelial Cells

Alcohol-induced endothelial changes might contribute to an increase in blood pressure in regular alcohol consumers. Some antihypertensive drugs affect oxidative stress and endothelial function and might counteract the effects of alcohol at the cellular level. The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro the effects of three different types of antihypertensive agents on alcohol-induced endothelial responses and oxidative stress. Cultured human endothelial cells were exposed to increasing concentrations (1, 10, 60 micromol/L) of zofenoprilat, carvedilol, and lacidipine in the absence and in the presence of ethanol (140 mmol/L). Concentrations of endothelin (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured in the culture media as markers of endothelial function, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and intracellular glutathione (GSHi) were measured as markers of oxidative stress. Exposure to alcohol increased the levels of ET, NO, and MDA, and decreased GSHi. Carvedilol and zofenoprilat were more effective than lacidipine in counteracting the effects of alcohol on ET production. Alcohol-induced NO production was enhanced by carvedilol, whereas zofenoprilat and lacidipine did not have a significant effect. The alcohol-induced increase in MDA concentrations was blunted by all three drugs, but only carvedilol restored a normal response. All three drugs increased GSHi levels, with the effect being greater for carvedilol and lacidipine than zofenoprilat. Carvedilol is more effective than zofenoprilat and lacidipine in counteracting alcohol-induced endothelial responses in vitro and in decreasing oxidative stress. These effects might be particularly beneficial in patients with alcohol-related hypertension.