Journal of hypertension
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Journal of hypertension · Apr 2016
Review Meta AnalysisEffects of blood pressure lowering on outcome incidence in hypertension: 7. Effects of more vs. less intensive blood pressure lowering and different achieved blood pressure levels - updated overview and meta-analyses of randomized trials.
Previous meta-analyses of our group have investigated the cardiovascular effects of more vs. less intense blood pressure (BP) treatment and the BP levels to be achieved by treatment. A few additional trials have been completed recently, particularly the large SPRINT study. Updating of the previous meta-analyses has been done with the objective of further clarifying the practical question of BP targets of antihypertensive treatment. ⋯ Updating of previous meta-analyses indicates that more vs. less intense BP lowering can reduce not only stroke and coronary events, but also cardiovascular mortality. Including data from recent RCTs also shows that all major outcomes can be reduced by lowering SBP a few mmHg below vs. above 130 mmHg, but absolute risk reduction becomes smaller, suggesting patients at lower initial SBP were at a lower level of cardiovascular risk.
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Journal of hypertension · Apr 2016
Doppler indexes of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in relation to the arterial stiffness in a general population.
Late-systolic loading of the left ventricular (LV) is determined by arterial wave reflections and central vascular stiffening. We, therefore, investigated the relationship between various Doppler indexes reflecting LV systolic and diastolic function and arterial stiffness in the framework of a large population study of randomly recruited study participants. ⋯ Our study underscored the importance of arterial characteristics as a mediator of LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction. We demonstrated an age-dependent relationship between radial strain and indexes of arterial stiffness.
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Journal of hypertension · Apr 2016
Sympathetic denervation facilitates L-type Ca2+ channel activation in renal but not in mesenteric resistance arteries.
Sympathetic denervation enhances agonist-induced vasoconstriction. This effect may involve altered function of signaling mechanisms such as Rho kinase (Rock) and L-type Ca channels downstream from vasoconstrictor receptors. We tested if enhanced Rock and L-type calcium channel activation contribute to exaggerated norepinephrine-induced vasoconstrictions in renal and mesenteric resistance arteries after sympathectomy. ⋯ Sympathetic denervation enhances L-type Ca channel-dependent signaling in renal but not in mesenteric arteries. This effect may be partly explained by the decreased VSMC membrane potential in denervated renal arteries.