Journal of hypertension
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Journal of hypertension · Aug 2018
Review Meta AnalysisEffects of blood pressure-lowering treatment on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality: 14 - effects of different classes of antihypertensive drugs in older and younger patients: overview and meta-analysis.
The five major classes of blood pressure (BP)-lowering drugs have all been shown to significantly reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events when compared with placebo, and when directly (head-to-head) compared, no significant differences in their overall effectiveness have been detected, except for minor differences in cause-specific events. It is unknown, however, whether age-related differences exist and if some classes of drugs are differently effective in older or younger individuals. This clinically relevant question has been the object of a systematic search and meta-analysis of all available data. ⋯ Most BP-lowering classes are equally effective in preventing risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events both in older and younger patients, whereas beta-blockers, though being equally effective as the other agents in patients younger than 65, loose some of their effectiveness at an older age.
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Journal of hypertension · Aug 2018
Review Meta AnalysisEffects of blood pressure-lowering treatment on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality: 13 - benefits and adverse events in older and younger patients with hypertension: overview, meta-analyses and meta-regression analyses of randomized trials.
There is overwhelming evidence that blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatment can reduce cardiovascular outcomes also in the elderly, but some important aspects influencing medical practice are controversial as sufficient evidence has not been provided by single randomized controlled trials (RCTs), whereas evidence may result from a systematic search and meta-analysis of all available data. ⋯ Antihypertensive treatment should be recommended to all individuals with elevated BP, independent of age. The prudent recommendation to initiate treatment at SBP values 140-159 mmHg is supported at older age defined as greater than 60 years. SBP and DBP values lower than 140 mmHg and, respectively, 80 mmHg can be aimed at with incremental benefits without disproportionate burdens until age 80 years, above which available evidence is for benefits at on-treatment SBP 140-149 mmHg.
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Journal of hypertension · Jul 2018
Case detection in primary aldosteronism: high-diagnostic value of the aldosterone-to-renin ratio when performed under standardized conditions.
The aldosterone-to-renin ratio is widely used and is the recommended screening modality for primary aldosteronism by the Endocrine Society Guideline. However, studies on its diagnostic accuracy have been inconsistent, which is mainly because of methodological limitations. We set out to evaluate this diagnostic value by using a highly standardized study protocol, which is in line with the Endocrine Society Guideline recommendations regarding indications for screening, testing conditions and reference standards in daily clinical practice. ⋯ These findings show that the aldosterone-to-renin ratio is a good screening modality for primary aldosteronism and is without a high risk of missing a primary aldosteronism diagnosis whenever performed under well standardized conditions.
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Journal of hypertension · Jun 2018
Randomized Controlled TrialEarly antihypertensive treatment and clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke: subgroup analysis by baseline blood pressure.
We studied the effect of early antihypertensive treatment on death, major disability, and vascular events among patients with acute ischemic stroke according to their baseline SBP. ⋯ Early antihypertensive treatment had a neutral effect on clinical outcomes among acute ischemic stroke patients with various baseline SBP levels. Future clinical trials are warranted to test BP-lowering effects in acute ischemic stroke patients by baseline SBP levels.
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Journal of hypertension · Nov 2017
ReviewIn-utero exposure to antihypertensive medication and neonatal and child health outcomes: a systematic review.
Although medication is generally avoided wherever possible during pregnancy, pharmacotherapy is required for the treatment of pregnancy associated hypertension, which remains a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The long-term effects to the child of in-utero exposure to antihypertensive agents remains largely unknown. ⋯ The current systematic review demonstrates a paucity of relevant published high-quality studies. A small number of studies suggest possible increased risk of adverse child health outcomes; however, most published studies have methodological weaknesses and/or lacked statistical power thus preventing any firm conclusions being drawn.