Journal of human hypertension
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Atrial fibrillation (AF) and hypertension often co-exist and both are associated with endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesised that AF would further worsen endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in hypertension patients compared to those without AF. In a cross-sectional comparison, we measured brachial artery diameter at rest and during reactive hyperaemia following 5 min of arterial occlusion in two patient groups: AF (and hypertension) (n = 61) and hypertension control groups (n = 33). ⋯ Endothelium-dependent FMD response showed a non-significant improvement trend following eight weeks of heart rate and BP optimisation (3.1%, 95% CI [2.3-4.8%] (baseline) vs 5.2%, 95% CI [3.9-6.5%] (follow up), p = 0.09). Presence of AF generally does not incrementally worsen endothelial dysfunction in hypertension patients, although the duration and frequency of AF (paroxysmal AF to permanent AF) does lead to worsening endothelial function. Eight weeks of BP optimisation did not significantly improve endothelial dysfunction as measured by FMD.
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Cardiac injury in patients infected with the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) seems to be associated with higher morbimortality. We provide a broad review of the clinical evolution of COVID-19, emphasizing its impact and implications on the cardiovascular system. The pathophysiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by overproduction of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) leading to systemic inflammation and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, acutely affecting the cardiovascular system. ⋯ Increased risk for myocardial infarction, fulminant myocarditis rapidly evolving with depressed systolic left ventricle function, arrhythmias, venous thromboembolism, and cardiomyopathies mimicking STEMI presentations are the most prevalent cardiovascular complications described in patients with COVID-19. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 tropism and interaction with the RAAS system, through ACE2 receptor, possibly enhances inflammation response and cardiac aggression, leading to imperative concerns about the use of ACEi and ARBs in infected patients. Cardiovascular implications result in a worse prognosis in patients with COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of precocious detection and implementation of optimal therapeutic strategies.
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Observational Study
Effects of mineralocorticoid and AT-1 receptor antagonism on the aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR) in primary aldosteronism patients (EMIRA Study): rationale and design.
Current guidelines recommend withdrawal of treatments that affect the aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR) when screening for primary aldosteronism (PA). However, abandonment of mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonist (MRA) and/or blockers of the renin-angiotensin system can deteriorate control of blood pressure (BP) and hypokalemia. Thus, in consecutive patients with an unambiguous diagnosis of PA in washout from confounding treatments and subtyped by AVS, we will compare within-patient plasma aldosterone and active renin concentration, and the ARR values, measured at baseline, and after a 1-month treatment with MRA alone and combined with an AT-1 receptor blocker (ARB). ⋯ The biochemical variables and the ARR will be assessed in an identical manner at baseline values and after each month of treatment. With a sample size of 40 patients, the study will have a 95% power to show a clinically significant 20% change in the ARR at a 5% α value using a two-sided paired t test. Hence, this study will allow us to determine if an MRA alone, or added to an ARB at doses that control BP and hypokalemia, affects or not the ARR, thus allowing to establish if these agents can be administered or must be forbidden during the screening of PA.
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Comparative Study
Different associations between blood pressure indices and carotid artery damages in a community-based population of China.
Different blood pressure (BP) indices had varying associations with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and plaques in clinical practice. However, insufficient evidence has focused on this issue, especially in Chinese population. Herein we examined associations of different BP indices with cIMT and plaques cross-sectionally in a community-based atherosclerosis cohort. ⋯ In addition, SBP indices were associated with increased cIMT independently of PP indices, whereas PP indices were more strongly related to plaques. In conclusion, central and PP indices might be associated with plaques; however, brachial and SBP indices might be associated with increased cIMT. Nevertheless, whether these BP indices predict increased cIMT and plaque progression warrants further longitudinal and laboratory studies.
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Multicenter Study
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring phenotypes among individuals with and without diabetes taking antihypertensive medication: the Jackson Heart Study.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can detect phenotypes associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Diabetes is associated with increased CVD risk but few data are available documenting whether blood pressure (BP) phenotypes, detected by ABPM, differ between individuals with versus without diabetes. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 567 participants in the Jackson Heart Study, a population-based study of African Americans, taking antihypertensive medication to evaluate the association between diabetes and ABPM phenotypes. ⋯ Although nocturnal hypertension was more common among participants with versus without diabetes, this association was not present after adjustment for daytime systolic BP. Diabetes was not associated with the other ABPM phenotypes investigated. This study highlights the high prevalence of ABPM phenotypes among individuals with diabetes taking antihypertensive medication.