Nighttime Blood Pressure Values Research Articles

Long-term effect of obstructive sleep apnoea management on blood pressure in patients with resistant hypertension: the SARAH study.

There is a close relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and resistant hypertension (RH). However, studies assessing the long-term effect of diagnosing and treating OSA on blood pressure (BP) control in these patients are lacking. To address this gap, we recruited 478 RH patients from hypertension units and followed them prospectively after they were screened for OSA through a sleep study. By performing 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) annually, the effect of OSA management was assessed. The patients had a median (interquartile range (IQR)) age of 64.0 (57.2-69.0) years, 67% were males and most were nonsleepy, with a median (IQR) apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) of 15.8 (7.9-30.7) events·h-1. The median (IQR) follow-up time was 3.01 (2.93-3.12) years. At baseline, severe OSA was associated with uncontrolled BP, nocturnal hypertension and a nondipper circadian BP pattern. Moreover, these patients had higher BP values during follow-up than did patients in the other groups. However, among patients with moderate and severe OSA, the management of sleep disordered breathing, including the implementation of continuous positive airway pressure treatment, was associated with a reduction in 24-h ABPM parameters, especially night-time BP values, at the 1-year follow-up. These benefits were attenuated over time and only subjects with severe OSA maintained an ABPM night-time reduction at 3 years. Furthermore, clinical variables such as uncontrolled BP, sex and age showed a predictive value for the BP response at 1 year of follow-up. A favourable long-term decrease in BP was detected by diagnosing and treating OSA in a cohort of RH patients from hypertension units, but over time this decrease was only partially maintained in severe OSA patients.

AN UPDATED REPORT FROM THE HUNGARIAN AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING REGISTRY

Objective: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is recommended by current European guidelines for the early diagnosis of hypertension and to monitor the efficacy of antihypertensive treatments. The Hungarian Society of Hypertension has initiated a 5-year, nationwide program in 2021 to promote the routine use of ABPM and to improve the motivation of doctors and patients. This is an updated report on the Hungarian ABPM Registry. Design and method: This is an ongoing, multicenter, open-label, observational study. Adult (age >18 years) patients with known hypertension(HT), or with suspected/newly diagnosed hypertension(nHT) can be involved in the study. ABPM monitoring is performed by GPs, internists, and cardiologists using validated Meditech ABPM-06 monitors. Current report analyzed ABPM data between 21.02.2021-16.11.2023, that were collected into an electronic case report. Overall, 40621 ABPMs were performed, due to protocol deviation 1901 patients were excluded from the analysis. Results: 26315 patients were HTs(68.3%), 12193 patients were nHTs(31.5%). In the HT group 95.5%, in the nHT group 21.5% were treated. 63.6% of all patients were hypertensives according to the 24-hour average blood pressure(BP) values. Mean 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP was 133.84±14.5 mmHg and 79.2±10.3 mmHg, respectively. There was no difference in the 24-hour mean systolic BP between HT and nHT patients (133.75±13.96mmHg vs. 133.86±14.72mmHg, respectively, p=NS). Obesity(BMI >30 kg/m2) increased the risk of hypertension(OR=1.82[1.73;1.92]for 24-hour average). Coffee consumption(more than 3/day)(OR=1.22[1.16;1.29]for 24-hour average), snoring(OR=1.39[1.33;1.46]for 24-hour average)and smoking(OR=1.10[1.03;1.18]for 24-hour average)all increased the risk of hypertension, primarily affecting more the daytime BP values(OR=1.24[1.18;1.31]for daytime in coffee consumption, OR=1.13[1.07;1.19]for nighttime in coffee consumption; OR=1.42[1.36;1.49]for daytime in snoring, OR=1.31[1.25;1.38]for nighttime in snoring; OR=1.09[1.01;1.16]for daytime in smoking, OR=1.01[0.94;1.08]for nighttime in smoking (NS)). Lack of regular sport(less than 3x30 minutes weekly)increased the risk of hypertension(OR=1.11[1.05;1.18]for 24-hour average), primarily affecting more the nighttime values(OR=1.19[1.12;1.26]for nighttime, OR= 1.02[0.96;1.07]for daytime(NS)). Conclusions: Hypertension is highly prevalent in both HT and nHT patients, irrespectively of gender or treatment. Obesity, lack of regular sport, coffee consumption, snoring and smoking are all significant risk factors in developing hypertension, latter ones affecting more the daytime BP values, whereas lack of regular sport affects more the nighttime BP values.

BLOOD PRESSURE SURGE DURING THE EARTHQUAKE IN CITY OF PETRINJA, BANIJA REGION IN CROATIA

Objective: Stress is known to contribute to other well-known environmental risk factors to hypertension leading to sympathetic overactivity. While usual environmental factors can be easily measured, exposure to stress is difficult to objectivize, especially during catastrophic events which are recognized as main stressors. There are several reports about earthquakes, blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular events. Design and method: We are reporting a case on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in 42-year-old women during Croatian earthquake. Results: A 42-year-old women with multiple genetic and environmental risk factors for hypertension was evaluated for secondary hypertension, and adult autosomal polycystic kidney disease was diagnosed. Kidney function was normal and there were no signs of target organ damage. She was treated with a fixed dose combination perindopril/amlodipine 4/5 mg (morning). ABPM revealed mildly uncontrolled systolic-diastolic hypertension with extreme nocturnal dip. Average 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP values were 130±20,4/79±19,9 mmHg, 137±16,2 /85±17,9 mmHg, 100±11,8 /55±11,7 mmHg, respectively. White coat effect was present, and masked hypertension was ruled out. Average 24-hour, daytime and nighttime heart rate were: 88b/min, 93b/min, and 79b/min. A significant surge in BP and heart rate (200/130 mmHg,140 b/min) was recorded at 12:30 p.m. exactly at the time when earthquake occurred in city Petrinja, also felt in Zagreb city. The earthquake was clearly stated in the blood pressure diary (Figure 1). Conclusions: Although chronic stress is emphasized to affect human health more than acute, catastrophic events such as earthquakes can have deleterious effect such as enormous elevation of BP. It is necessary to have strategies for BP management in disaster-related diseases to prevent organ damage.

24-hour blood pressure profile and systemic inflammation in patients with stable coronary artery disease with obstructive sleep apnea

Aim. To evaluate 24-hour blood pressure (BP) profile and systemic inflammation in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) depending on the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Material and methods. This cross-sectional cohort study included 132 patients with CAD aged 62,3±6,9 years. Depending on OSA, all patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n=60) — without OSA, group 2 (n=72) — with OSA. Systemic inflammation was assessed using neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (MLR), Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) — platelets´neutrophils/lymphocytes. Blood pressure was monitored with assessment of average daily values, circadian rhythm, and variability.Results. Patients with OSA had higher nighttime blood pressure values (p<0,05) and 24-hour variability (p<0,05). In group 2 patients, a pathological blood pressure profile was detected in 66,7% of cases, while in group 1 — in 36,7%. The systemic inflammation indices were significantly higher in patients with OSA than in the group without OSA — NLR by 18,8% (p<0,01), PLR by 22,5% (p<0,01), MLR by 19,0% (p<0,01), SII by 41,0% (p<0,001).Conclusion. We established that patients with coronary artery disease and OSA have more pronounced systemic inflammation, more often have a pathological 24-hour BP profile ("non-dipper", "night-peaker"), BP variability, higher values of average 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP compared with patients without OSA.

#5537 GENETIC VARIABILITY IN THE PROSTAGLANDIN E2 PATHWAY IS RELATED TO SALT SENTIVITY IN TREATMENT-NAïVE HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS

Abstract Background and Aims Hypertensive nephropathy is a common aging-related disorder. One of the main factors that contributes to the development of hypertension is salt intake. Based on blood pressure (BP) variation after sodium intake in an acute salt load test, individuals can be grouped in: sodium sensitive (SS), sodium resistant (SR) or inverse sodium sensitivity (ISS). Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is the main renal metabolite of the cyclooxygenase pathway, a major actor mediating renal injury and it has also been related to renal blood flow and hemodynamic changes. Our aim was to determine common, functional variants in genes involved in the PGE2 pathway to identify associations with the sodium sensitivity phenotype of hypertensive patients, as well as with parameters of renal function and BP traits. Method We studied 511 treatment-naïve hypertensive patients, who were subjected to an acute salt load test and consequently stratified into 173 SR patients, 172 SS patients and 166 ISS, after they showed an increase in BP values (SS), no substantial variation (SR) or a paradoxical decrease (ISS). Renal function was established by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the MDRD-4 formula. All participants were screened for 216 tag-SNPs that define the variability of 12 genes of the PGE2 pathway, namely PLA2G4A, PLA2G7, SCARB1, PTGS1, PTGS2, PGTES, PTGES2, PTGES3, PTGER1, PTGER2, PTGER3 and PTGER4. Regression models were utilized to evaluate associations with clinical parameters. Results Using the SS group as a reference, eleven variants in genes coding for two phospholipases (PLA2G4A, PLA2G7), cyclooxygenase-1 (PGTS1) and PGE2 receptors (PTGER1 and PTGER4) were linked to the susceptibility of becoming SR or ISS patients. Seven of these variants produced protective odds ratios, whilst four of them were associated with increased risk (Table 1). Next, we analyzed BP traits in each cohort. In SR, PTGES3 rs12824563 was associated with variability in nighttime BP values (p<0.001, p<0.01, p<0.001 and p<0.05 for systolic BP, diastolic BP, mean BP and nighttime BP fall, respectively). For the SS group, two variants in PTGER3, rs61777123 and rs12410289, were also associated with the same parameters (p<0.01). Finally, in the ISS group, the most significant finding was that PTGES2 rs13283456 was strongly linked to daytime and nighttime measurements (p<0.001 for each parameter). Regarding renal function, we examined the 511 patients as a whole and observed that several variants affected eGFR. Most significantly, carriers of PTGER3 rs6424406 and rs1409986 were found to be associated with higher values [Mean difference vs. non carriers: 6.34 (2.42-10.26), p<0.01 and 6.20 (1.76-10.64) ml/min/1,73 m2, p<0.01]. Conclusion Variability in genes that participate in the PGE2 pathway, is associated with the response of treatment-naïve hypertensive patients to salt intake. In addition, these genetic variants may also modify BP traits and eGFR values in these patients.

Method-comparison study between a watch-like sensor and a cuff-based device for 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring

The use of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has been continuously increasing over the last decades. However, cuff-based devices may cause discomfort, particularly at night, leading to potentially non-representative blood pressure (BP) values. We investigated the feasibility of a cuff-less BP monitoring solution in 67 subjects undergoing conventional 24-h ABPM. A watch-like optical sensor was attached at the upper arm or wrist at the contralateral side of the cuff. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) values were estimated from the measured optical signals by pulse wave analysis. Average 24-h, daytime and nighttime BP values were compared between the conventional monitor and the cuff-less sensor. The differences between both methods—expressed as mean ± standard deviation (95% limits of agreement)—were of − 1.8 ± 6.2 mmHg (− 13.9, 10.3) on SBP and − 2.3 ± 5.4 mmHg (− 13.0, 8.3) on DBP for 24-h averages, of − 1.5 ± 6.6 mmHg (− 14.4, 11.4) on SBP and − 1.8 ± 5.9 mmHg (− 13.4, 9.9) on DBP for daytime averages, and of 0.4 ± 7.5 mmHg (− 14.4, 15.1) on SBP and − 1.3 ± 6.8 mmHg (− 14.7, 12.0) on DBP for nighttime averages. These results encouragingly suggest that cuff-less 24-h ABPM may soon become a clinical possibility.

S-58-2: CUFFLESS WEARABLE 24-HOUR BLOOD PRESSURE MONIT ORING VERSUS STANDARD AMBULATORY MONITORING

Objective: Cuffless wearable blood pressure (BP) monitors have great potential in assessing 24-hour BP without user disturbance for weeks and months. However, it is uncertain whether these devices can accurately track BP changes during usual daily activities and sleep as with standard 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). We assessed daytime and nighttime BP using a commercially available cuffless wearable BP device versus classic ABPM. Design and method: We included 45 individuals (age 58 ± 14 years [mean ± SD], 33% female, 80% hypertensive) in two centres (Perth, Australia; Athens, Greece). Participants used a cuffless wearable BP monitor (Aktiia, Switzerland) continuously for 7–10 days and 24-hour ABPM (MicroLife WatchBP O3, Switzerland) on the first and the last day of cuffless BP monitoring. Daily 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime BP values were averaged across the total study days for the cuffless device and across the two ABPM days. Results: The cuffless device reported higher systolic BP for 24-hours by 6.8 mmHg, 95%CI [3.7, 9.7], daytime by 3.8 mmHg [1.0, 6.7], and nighttime by 17.5 mmHg [13.6, 21.4] (all p < 0.01). Cuffless 24-hour diastolic BP was comparable with ABPM (difference 1.2 mmHg, 95%CI [-1.0, 3.5]), as was daytime diastolic BP (-0.8 mmHg [-3.0, 1.3]) (both p. < 27). However, the cuffless device reported higher nighttime diastolic BP by 9.2 mmHg, 95%CI [6.3, 12.2] (p < 0.001). Nighttime dip as measured by the cuffless device, namely systolic BP (-5.1 mmHg, 95%CI [-13.7, 3.6]) and diastolic BP (-3.8 mmHg [-11.6, 4.2]) were substantially less than ABPM (systolic BP dip: -18.0 mmHg [-35.5, -1.2]; diastolic BP dip: -13.8 mmHg [-27.2, -0.8]). The cuffless device identified 44 nighttime non-dippers (defined as a relative dip < 10%) for systolic BP and 42 non-dippers for diastolic BP, compared to 10 non-dippers for both systolic and diastolic BP as identified by ABPM (both comparisons p < 0.001). Conclusions: The Aktiia cuffless wearable BP device considerably overestimated average systolic BP compared to classic ABPM and was unable to adequately track diurnal BP variation.

Abstract 088: Comparison Of 24-hour Blood Pressure Tracking Between A Commercially Available Cuffless Wearable Device And Standard Ambulatory Monitoring

Introduction: Cuffless blood pressure (BP) monitoring offers great potential in assessing 24-hour BP without user disturbance. Despite the myriad of commercially available cuffless BP devices, it is uncertain whether these devices can accurately track BP changes during usual daily activities and sleep as with standard 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Hypothesis: A commercially available cuffless wearable BP device, previously demonstrated to have good accuracy for seated BP, can track 24-hour BP changes as well as standard ABPM. Methods: We included 45 individuals (36 hypertensive, 15 female, age 58±14 years [mean±SD]) in two centres (Perth, Australia; Athens, Greece). Participants used a cuffless wearable BP device (Aktiia, Switzerland) continuously for 7-10 days and 24-hour ABPM (MicroLife WatchBP O3, Switzerland) on the first and the last day of cuffless BP monitoring. Daily 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime BP values were averaged across the total study days for the cuffless device and across the two ABPM days. Results: Compared to ABPM, the cuffless device reported higher 24-hour systolic BP (SBP) by 6.8 mmHg, 95% CI [3.7, 9.7], higher daytime SBP by 3.8 mmHg [1.0, 6.7], and higher nighttime SBP by 17.5 mmHg [13.6, 21.4] (all p≤0.01). Cuffless 24-hour diastolic BP (DBP) was comparable with ABPM (difference 1.2 mmHg, 95% CI [-1.0, 3.5]), as was daytime DBP (difference -0.8 mmHg, [-3.0, 1.3]) (both p≥0.27), but nighttime DBP was higher by 9.2 mmHg, [6.3, 12.2] (p<0.001). Nighttime dip in SBP (-5.1 mmHg, 95% CI [-13.7, 3.6]) and DBP (-3.8 mmHg, [-11.6, 4.2]) as measured by the cuffless device were substantially less than ABPM (SBP dip: -18.0 mmHg, [-35.5, -1.2]; DBP dip: -13.8 mmHg, [-27.2, -0.8]). The cuffless device identified 44 nighttime non-dippers (defined as a relative dip < 10%) for SBP and 42 non-dippers for DBP, compared to 10 non-dippers for both SBP and DBP as identified by ABPM (both comparisons p<0.001). Conclusions: A commercially available cuffless wearable BP device was unable to adequately track diurnal BP variation and considerably overestimated average SBP over 24 hours as compared to standard ABPM.

Comparing effect of definition of diurnal periods by diary, fixed periods, and actigraphy on ambulatory blood pressure parameters in a Chinese population.

Background:Reliable measurement of daytime and night-time blood pressure (BP), and degree of BP dipping during sleep during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) requires an accurate definition of sleep time (diurnal definition). However, superiority of any diurnal definition on ABPM remains unclear. The present study compared mean daytime and night-time SBP and DBP using different methods for diurnal definition: patient's diary, wide-defined and narrow-defined fixed periods, and actigraphy, in a Chinese population with diagnosed essential hypertension. We hypothesize that BP values from actigraphy are different from BP obtained by other methods and associated with end-organ damage (i.e. impaired renal function, proteinuria, left ventricular hypertrophy).Methods:From April 2017 to October 2019, 203 Chinese patients diagnosed with hypertension were recruited prospectively from Lek Yuen Clinic and 179 completed a 48-h ABPM study, wearing a validated actigraph and completed a sleep diary. Presence of end-organ damage was retrieved from the computerized clinical management system. The differences in the mean BP values provided by different diurnal definition were compared using paired t tests and Bland–Altman plots. The prevalence of elevated BP, dipping status categories, overall percentage agreement and the Kappa statistic were calculated by pairwise comparisons between different diurnal definitions. The reproducibility was also estimated and logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between BP values from different diurnal definitions and end-organ damage.Results:Mean daytime and night-time BP values were similar regardless of the definition used (mean difference <2 mmHg). Kappa statistics and overall percentage agreement found excellent agreement between different definitions to diagnose elevated daytime BP (Kappa ranged from 0.80 to 0.91) and night-time BP (Kappa ranged from 0.74 to 0.89). Good agreement to diagnose nondipping was also detected (Kappa ranged from 0.65 to 0.78). Furthermore, ABPM values were most reproducible when diurnal periods were defined by patient's diary (intra-class correlation coefficient = 0.82–0.93). Daytime and night-time BP values obtained using different diurnal definitions did not differ in their association to end-organ damage.Conclusion:Differing definitions of diurnal periods provide similar mean BP values among a Chinese hypertensive population and have good agreement for diagnosis of elevated BP and dipping status. In individual patients, clinicians should be aware that different definitions of diurnal periods can lead to a 3–5 mmHg difference in patient's BP values and may affect the diagnosis of elevated BP in patients with BP close to diagnostic thresholds. The current study supports using the patient's diary to define diurnal periods, which provided the best reproducibility.

LONG SLEEP DURATION AND AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE

Objective: Studies show a link between short sleep duration and hypertension. The mechanistic associations between sleep duration and blood pressure (BP) are less clear. We studied the association between sleep duration, blood pressure, metabolic profile as well as obstructive sleep apnoea in participants with suspected or confirmed hypertension undergoing 24 h ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM). Design and method: We included 177 participants (mean age 57 ± 11 years, 67 women) referred for ABPM, with available exact time-points for bedtimes during the recording. Daytime and night-time BP values were calculated accordingly. Biochemistry included triglycerides (TG), high- and low-density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL) and total cholesterol. The HDL/TG ratio was calculated as a marker of glucose intolerance. Sleep apnoea was quantified by simultaneous ambulatory polygraphy. Results: Participants were stratified into those with short (n = 16) /normal (n = 139) /long (n = 22) sleep (&lt; = 6 h, &gt; 6 &lt; = 9 h and &gt; 9 h). There were no differences in age, body mass index (BMI) or apnoea hypopnea index (AHI) between groups. Mean office BP was 146 ± 19/89 ± 11 mmHg and mean 24 h ABPM 133 ± 14/80 ± 8 mmHg. By standard ABPM definitions 81, 86, and 77% in the short/normal/long sleep group were hypertensive, and 56, 56 and 73% were on antihypertensive medication. The long sleep group had lower 24 h diastolic BP than the short and normal sleep groups (p &lt; 0.05 by ANOVA). TG levels and TG/HDL ratio were higher in the long sleep group than in the short sleep group (both p &lt; 0.05 by ANOVA; not adjusted for statin treatment). No differences were found in HDL, LDL, or total cholesterol between groups. In a multiple linear regression model, longer sleep duration, older age, and female sex were all independently associated with lower 24 h ABPM diastolic BP (all p &lt; 0.01; full model R2 = 0.25, p &lt; 0.001) while BMI, AHI, TG, and the TG/HDL ratio were not related. Conclusions: Longer sleep duration was independently associated with lower ABPM 24 h diastolic BP together with older age and female sex. The observation with increased TG and TG/HDL ratio in the long sleep group warrants further study.

The effect of frailty on the 24-hour blood pressure pattern in the very elderly.

Frailty plays a crucial role in the management of hypertension in the very elderly and has a strong association with cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, its influence on the 24‐hour blood pressure pattern, including elevated asleep systolic blood pressure (BP) and the lack of BP fall during sleep (non‐dipping) has not been explored in a population above 80 years.Patients older than 80 years were classified into frail or robust subtypes by the five item frailty phenotype criteria. All participants were submitted to office blood pressure measurements and ambulatory BP monitoring over a 24‐hour period. Nocturnal dipping was defined as nighttime BP fall ≥10%.Thirty‐eight frail and 36 non‐frail individuals (mean age 85.3 ± 3.7 years; 67% females) were analyzed. Awake systolic and diastolic BP were similar for frail and robust individuals. Frail patients had higher systolic BP during sleep (128 ± 15 mm Hg vs. 122 ±13 mm Hg p = .04) and reduced systolic BP fall [1 (‐4.5 – 5)% vs. 6.8 (2.1 – 12.8)% p < .01]. Frailty was independently associated with higher risk of non‐dipping (OR 12.4; CI 1.79 – 85.9) and reduced nighttime systolic BP fall (‐6.1%; CI ‐9.6 – ‐2.6%). In conclusions, frailty has a substantial influence on nighttime BP values and pattern in patients older than 80 years.

Nighttime home blood pressure as a mediator of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in cardiovascular events.

We tested our hypothesis that the association between N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events is mediated in part by a pathway of increased nighttime blood pressure (BP) that involves volume overload. We used the data from the Japan Morning Surge-Home Blood Pressure (J-HOP) Nocturnal BP Study, which targeted 2476 Japanese participants who had a history of or risk for CVD (mean age 63.8 ± 10.2 years), along with their measured nighttime BP values assessed by a home BP device (measured at 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 a.m.) and NT-proBNP levels. At baseline, elevated daytime (average of morning and evening) and nighttime home systolic BP (SBP) were independently associated with log-transformed NT-proBNP levels after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. During a median follow-up of 7.2 years, 150 participants experienced a CVD event (62 stroke events and 88 coronary artery disease events). After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and nighttime SBP, increased log-transformed NT-proBNP levels were independently associated with CVD events (hazard ratio [HR] per 1 unit, 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-2.40). Elevated nighttime home SBP was also independently associated with CVD events after adjustment for cardiovascular risk and log-transformed NT-proBNP (HR per standard deviation, 1.22; 95% CI: 1.001-1.50). The percentage of the association between NT-proBNP and CVD events mediated by nighttime home SBP was 15%. Our findings indicate a physiological pathway in which increased nighttime SBP contributes to the impact of elevated NT-proBNP levels on the incidence of CVD.

Twenty-four-hour and office blood pressure measurement in a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of 12-week therapy with a triple fixed-dose combination of amlodipine/indapamide/perindopril in hypertensive patients in actual clinical practice

Aim. To study the efficacy and safety of the triple fixed-dose combination (FDC) of amlodipine/indapamide/perindopril on blood pressure (BP) profile in patients with grade I-II hypertension (HTN) in actual clinical practice.Material and methods. Data from 54 patients with paired 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) data were included in the TRICOLOR subanalysis (ClinicalTrials. gov study ID — NCT03722524). The mean 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime BP were calculated at baseline and after 12-week follow-up. We determined the proportion of patients with nocturnal HTN (≥120/70 mm Hg) and nocturnal hypotension (&lt;100/60 and &lt;90/50 mm Hg) initially and after 12 weeks of triple FDC therapy. Patients with nocturnal BP decrease included dippers (D; 10-20%), reduced dippers (RD; 0-10%) and extreme dippers (ED; &gt;20%), as well as those without nocturnal BP decrease (&gt;0%, non-dipper (ND)). The smoothness index (SI) was analyzed as the ratio of the mean hourly SBP fall to its mean standard deviation in paired ABPM. To assess the BP phenotypes, two methods were used with reference values of &lt;130/80 and &lt;140/90 mm Hg for ABPM and office BP, respectively. Controlled hypertension (CHT), uncontrolled hypertension (UHT), white coat hypertension (WHT) and masked ineffectiveness of antihypertensive therapy were distinguished.Results. Among 1247 participants of the TRICOLOR study, 54 patients with valid paired ABPM were selected (men, 46%; mean age, 57,7 [12,1] years; mean office BP, 150,4 [16,6]/93,3 [10,7] mm Hg; HTN duration, 8,3 [7,5] years). Initially, the mean 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP was 141,1 [15,4]/85,9 [9,9], 144,2 [15,5]/88,8 [10,5] and 132,6 [18,0]/78,1 [9,9] mm Hg, respectively. After 12-week follow-up, the mean 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP was 123,1 [10,5]/75,6 [8,5], 125,7 [10,9]/77,9 [8,7] and 115,4 [10,2]/68,6 [8,8] mm Hg, respectively (p&lt;0,001). After 12-week follow-up, the proportion of patients with nocturnal hypertension decreased from 64,8% to 25,0% (2,6 times) (p&lt;0,001). The proportion of NDs and EDs decreased from 16,7% and 7,4% to 5,8% and 0%, respectively (p=0,048); the proportion of patients with RD and D patterns increased from 42,6% and 33,3 to 57,7% and 36,5%, respectively (p=0,048). With triple FDC therapy, the SI during the day was higher than 0,73 in half of the cases. According to the two methods, the proportion of patients with UHT decreased from 81,6% to 4,4%, WHT from 12,2% to 0%. The prevalence of CHT increased from 4,1% to 57,8%, while masked ineffectiveness of antihypertensive therapy — from 2,0% to 37,8%.Conclusion. Twelve-week FDC therapy of amlodipine/indapamide/perindopril led to a significant fall in the mean 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP values. Comprehensive analysis of two techniques (24-hour and office BP measurement) identified patients requiring further triple FGC titration.

The long-term impact of expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty treatment on blood pressure control and health-related quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension

To assess how expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP) impacts blood pressure (BP) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients were separated into two groups based upon whether or not they adhered to antihypertensive drug regimens. Patients underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring before and at 6 months post-ESP, while clinical BP measurements and HRQOL questionnaires (SF-36) were conducted over the course of 24 months post-surgery. We enrolled 62 patients, with 25 and 37 in the medicated and non-medicated groups, respectively. Mean 24-h BP differed significantly, with systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) decreases of 5.3 mmHg and 2.5 mmHg, respectively (P <0.01). Mean 24-h SBP and DBP decreases in the medicated group were 10.2 mmHg and 4.6 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.001), with significant decreases during the daytime of8.6 mmHg, 3.0 mmHg, and nighttime of12.3 mmHg, 7.7 mmHg (P <0.001). In the non-medicated treatment group, 24-h SBP and DBP decreases were 1.9 mmHg and 1.1 mmHg (P < 0.005) with significant decreases in mean nighttime BP values of 3.2 mmHg and 1.9 mmHg (P < 0.001). While pre- and postoperative SF-36 results differed significantly, no differences were observed between the two groups. ESP decreases BP and improves HRQOL in OSA patients with hypertension, particularly in combination with antihypertensive drugs.

Long-Term Risk of Progression to Sustained Hypertension in White-Coat Hypertension with Normal Night-Time Blood Pressure Values.

Background The long-term prognosis and transition towards sustained ambulatory hypertension (SHT) of white-coat hypertension (WCHT) remain uncertain particularly in those with both normal nighttime and daytime blood pressure (BP) values. Different classification criteria and the use of antihypertensive drugs may contribute to conflicting results. Patients and Methods. We prospectively evaluated for a 7.1 year transition to SHT in 899 nondiabetic subjects free from cardiovascular (CV) events: normotensive (NT) (n = 344; 52, 9% female; ageing 48 ± 14 years); untreated WCHT (UnWCHT n = 399; 50, 1% female; ageing 51 ± 14 years); and treated WCHT with antihypertensive drugs after baseline (TxWCHT n = 156; 54, 4% female; ageing 51 ± 15 years). All underwent 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring (24 h-ABPM) at baseline, at 30 to 60 months, and at 70 to 120 months thereafter. WCHT was at baseline (with no treatment) as office BP ≥ 140/or 90 mm·Hg, daytime BP < 135/85 mm·Hg, and nighttime BP < 120/70 mm·Hg. Development of SHT was considered if daytime BP ≥ 135/or 85 mm Hg and/or nighttime BP ≥ 120/or 70 mm·Hg. Results Baseline metabolic parameters did not differ among groups. At 30–60 months and at the end of follow-up, development of SHT occurred, respectively, in NT (3.8% (n = 13) and 9.6% (n = 33)) and in UnWCHT (10.1% (n = 40) and 16.5% (n = 66)) (p < 0.009). The mean annual increase of average 24 h-systolic BP was 0.48 + 0.93 in NT and 0.73 + 1.06 in UnWCHT, whereas annual SBP in office increased in NT by 1.2 + 0.95 but decreased in UnWCHT by 1.36 + 1.35 mm Hg (p < 0.01). Conclusion Untreated WCHT patients exhibit a faster and a higher risk of developing SHT compared to NT with TxWCHT assuming an intermediate position between them.

Assessment of salusin alpha and salusin beta levels in patients with newly diagnosed dipper and non-dipper hypertension

ABSTRACT Objective The pathophysiology of non-dipper hypertension has not been clarified. The relationship between salusins with atherosclerosis and hypertension has gained attention in recent years. The aim of this paper is to investigate whether salusins are associated with circadian blood pressure, left ventricular mass index, and diastolic functions in newly diagnosed hypertensives. Methods The study included 88 newly diagnosed hypertensive individuals. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiographic examinations were performed. The patients were assigned to dipper hypertension (n = 41) and non-dipper hypertension (n = 47) groups based on the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results according to the presence of ≥ a 10% decrease in nighttime blood pressure values or not. Serum salusin α and β levels were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunological test method. Results Compared to dipper hypertension, non-dipper hypertension group demonstrated lower salusin α levels (1818.71 ± 221.67 vs 1963 ± 200.75 pg/mL, p = .002), mitral E/A, septal E’/A’ and higher salusin β levels (576.24 ± 68.15 vs 516.13 ± 90.7 pg/ml, p = .001) and left ventricular mass index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed salusin-α (OR 0.474, 95% CI 0.262 to 0.986, p = .001), salusin-β (OR 2.550, 95% CI 2.123 to 2.991, p = .018), and left ventricular mass index (OR 2.620, 95% CI 2.124 to 2.860, p = .011) as independent predictors of non-dipper hypertension. As candidate markers to predict non-dipper hypertension, decreased salusin α, and increased salusin β levels may mediate crosstalk between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems and indicate poor cardiovascular prognosis in hypertension.

Blood pressure load per body surface area is higher in women than in men.

Many unexplained sex differences have been observed in blood pressure (BP) related morbidity. However, there has been little research about the most obvious difference between men and women-body size. Given that blood vessels are organs of tubular shape, we hypothesized that correction of BP for body surface area (BSA), a two-dimensional measurement of body size, would allow comparison of BP load between men and women. We assessed the relationship of 24-h ambulatory BP measurements and BSA in 534 participants (mean age 61 ± 3 years, 51% women) from the Helsinki Birth Cohort Study. The study subjects had no previous medication affecting vasculature or BP. When BP values were adjusted for age, smoking, physical activity, and body fat percentage, males had higher ambulatory daytime mean systolic BP (131 mmHg vs. 127 mmHg, p < 0.001), diastolic BP (83 mmHg vs. 78 mmHg, p < 0.001), and mean arterial pressure (100 mmHg vs. 96 mmHg, p < 0.001) than females. However, all BP components per unit of BSA were significantly lower in males: daytime mean systolic BP (65 mmHg vs. 71 mmHg, p < 0.001), diastolic BP (41 mmHg vs. 44 mmHg, p < 0.001), pulse pressure (24 mmHg vs. 28 mmHg, p = 0.013), and mean arterial pressure (49 mmHg vs. 54 mmHg, p < 0.001). The same phenomenon was observed in night-time BP values. BP load per BSA is higher in women than in men, which may explain many reported sex differences in cardiovascular morbidity. Relatively small-sized individuals might benefit from a more aggressive therapeutic strategy.

Blood pressure profile and endothelial function in restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is frequently comorbid with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases; however this relationship and underlying mechanisms remain controversial. After clinical evaluation, 84 drug-free patients with primary RLS (53 women; mean age 55.1 ± 12.3 years) and 76 controls (47 women; mean age 52.2 ± 15.3 years) underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and polysomnographic monitoring, and peripheral arterial tonometry to assess endothelial function for 61 patients and 69 controls. Hypertension was diagnosed in 11.9% of patients with RLS based on office measurement, and in 46.4% on the 24 h recording, with nighttime hypertension, two times more frequent than daytime hypertension. Periodic limb movement during sleep (PLMS), markers of sleep fragmentation, and systolic and mean BP non-dipping profile were more frequent among patients. BP non-dipping status was associated with older age, later RLS onset and diagnosis, RLS severity and higher sleep fragmentation. The mean 24-hour, daytime and nighttime BP values, the frequency of hypertension and the endothelial function were comparable between groups. However, both systolic and diastolic BP trajectories over a 24-hour period differed between groups. In conclusion, patients with RLS exhibit a 24-hour BP deregulation with increased frequency of systolic non-dipping profiles that could worsen the risk for CVD morbidity and mortality.

Role of renin–angiotensin aldosterone system on short-term blood pressure variability in hypertensive patients

ABSTRACTThe relationship between the renin–angiotensin aldosterone system and short-term blood pressure variability has not been well elucidated. Here, we investigated whether blood pressure variability determined by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring differed among patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), renovascular hypertension (RVHT), and essential hypertension (EHT). We examined 25 patients with PA, 28 patients with RVHT, and 18 patients with EHT. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was conducted in all patients. Short-term blood pressure variability was evaluated by calculating the standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation (CV), and average real variability (ARV) of 24-h, daytime, and nighttime blood pressure values. Day–night differences in blood pressure were also determined. The mean 24-h systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in the PA and RVHT groups were found to be comparable to those in the EHT group. The SD, the CV, nor the ARV of the 24-h, daytime, and nighttime blood pressures showed any significant differences among the three groups. The day–night differences in blood pressure were comparable among the three groups. The short-term blood pressure variabilities evaluated by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were comparable among the patients with EHT, RVHT, and PA. The results suggest that the renin–angiotensin aldosterone system may contribute little to short-term blood pressure variability in individuals with hypertension.

Prognostic value of nighttime blood pressure load in Chinese patients with nondialysis chronic kidney disease

The prognostic value of nighttime blood pressure (BP) load in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unknown. The prognostic value of nighttime BP load in a cohort of Chinese patients with nondialysis CKD was investigated. The authors monitored ambulatory BP and followed health outcomes in 588 Chinese CKD patients. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses indicated that nighttime BP load was a significant risk factor for all clinical outcomes in CKD patients, even when adjusted for clinic BP. Tertile 3 of systolic BP load (vs tertile 1) was associated with an increased risk of renal events (hazard ratio [HR], 2.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-4.38) and cardiovascular events (HR, 5.34; 95% CI, 1.58-18.04); tertile 3 of diastolic BP load (vs tertile 1) was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 6.73; 95% CI, 1.79-25.20), cardiovascular mortality (HR, 7.18; 95% CI, 1.47-35.03), renal events (HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.17-4.92), and cardiovascular events (HR, 5.87; 95% CI, 1.97-17.52). Higher nighttime BP load, especially nighttime diastolic BP load, was associated with a poorer prognosis in Chinese nondialysis CKD patients.