Comparability of Automated Office Blood Pressure to Daytime 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure

Background

Clinical practice guidelines endorse automated office blood pressure (AOBP) measurement as the preferred in-office measurement modality. However, recent data indicate that this method may underestimate daytime ambulatory BP. The objective of this study was to further assess the comparability of mean AOBP and daytime ambulatory BP in clinical practice.

β-Blockers in Hypertension: A Reassessment of the Benefit of Combined α-/β-Blockade

β-Blockers have a long history of use in patients with high blood pressure, either alone or in combination with other classes of antihypertensive agents. Although β-blockers can lower blood pressure effectively, they have not been convincingly shown to reduce the likelihood of some cardiovascular complications from hypertension, and their utility for this purpose has been critically questioned of late. This growing distrust of β-blocker therapy, however, is misguided. Negative sentiments about one drug in a class, as has been the case for atenolol, often become unfairly disparaging of all drugs in a class. In the process of such lumping, the heterogeneity of the various compounds making up a drug class is often neglected. Such is the case for combined α-/β-blockade, which is to be distinguished from β-blockade alone because of differences in hemodynamic and metabolic effects. This should prompt a reappraisal of the role of selected agents, such as the combined α-/β-blocker carvedilol, in the long-term treatment of hypertension.     

Realities of Newer β-Blockers for the Management of Hypertension

β-blockers are prescribed for a variety of cardiovascular conditions including hypertension, heart failure, primary treatment of myocardial infarction (MI), and secondary prevention of ischemic cardiac events. Yet they remain underprescribed in populations at increased risk for cardiovascular disease because of tolerability and safety concerns. β-Blockers are heterogeneous with respect to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects. "Original" agents were nonselective, blocking both β₁-adrenoceptors and β₂-adrenoceptors. Later, new agents were developed with selectivity for β₁-adrenoceptors, and were subsequently followed by β-blockers, which exhibit additional effects, such as vasodilation. Among newer agents, labetalol, carvedilol, and nebivolol have been approved for use in the United States. Nebivolol possesses both β₁-selectivity and nitric oxide–mediated vasodilatory effects, while carvedilol has attractive effects on insulin resistance and exhibits antioxidant effects. Newer β-blockers may overcome concerns about efficacy, adverse effects, and tolerability, while delivering cardiovascular protection.     

24小时动态血压监测与冠状动脉病变的关联性研究

目的研究患者24h动态血压与冠状动脉病变严重程度的关联性。方法回顾性分析我院2008年10月—2010年12月收治的127例冠心病患者临床资料,对全部患者应用冠状动脉造影术。患者冠状动脉病变严重程度以冠状动脉病变的Gensini积分与血管支数来表示。全部患者在术前与术后对肱动脉血压进行测量,术后监测24h动态血压。结果高血压组患者冠状动脉三支血管的病变患病率显著高于非高血压组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。冠状动脉发生狭窄的患者,脉压与收缩压均明显高于非高血压组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),并且脉压与收缩压均随着患者狭窄血管其支数的增加进行增加。结论脉压是冠心病患者冠状动脉狭窄发生与发展的相关性因素,并且患者24h动态血压具有较大的预测价值,值得临床普遍推广。     

Excretion of β-Carbolines Harman and Norharman in 24-Hour Urine of Chronic Alcoholics During Withdrawal and Controlled Abstinence

Animal experiments suggest that endogenous substances that could result from the interaction between neurotransmitters (dopamine and indoleamines) and ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde might be involved in the pathogenesis and maintenance of alcohol dependence. Therefore, aromatic β-carbolines (norharman and harman) were investigated repeatedly in 24-hr urine of 13 male severe alcoholics without any psychiatric comorbidity during a controlled inpatient abstention program of up to 8 weeks. Harman excretion was ˜2-fold above levels in control subjects, with a steady decline after 3 weeks of abstinence and lower levels in patients with a longer duration of alcohol dependence. Severity of withdrawal symptoms and actual feelings of anxiety/depression were negatively associated with urinary harman excretion. Positive associations could be established with daily ethanol consumption the month before admission and the score on the scale "reward dependence" according to Cloninger's Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire. Moreover, patients without alcohol-dependent first-degree relatives and higher "reward dependence" exhibited an increased excretion of harman. Therefore, harman levels might characterize a distinct subgroup of alcoholic patients, who in part resemble the so-called type I alcoholics of Cloninger. However, this awaits further study in a larger number of individuals. In contrast, norharman excretion was elevated up to 6-fold, compared with nonalcoholics over 6 to 8 weeks of controlled abstention. No correlations to demographic or clinical variables could be observed. Therefore, increased norharman levels might be proposed as a "residual marker" or a trait variable. Whether the observed changes are specific markers of at least certain aspects of alcoholism or dependence remain to be elucidated.     

Effect of Amlodipine Versus Felodipine Extended Release on 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Hypertension

Amlodipine and felodipine are calcium antagonists of the dihydropyridine type. The elimination half-life of amlodipine is longer than that of felodipine. To study whether the different elimination rates of the drugs were reflected in different duration of blood pressure (BP) control, we compared amlodipine and felodipine extended release (ER) by both conventional clinic BP 24 h after drug intake and 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), with special reference to nighttime and morning blood pressure.Two hundred and sixteen patients with primary hypertension (supine diastolic BP, 95 to 115 mm Hg) were randomized to receive amlodipine or felodipine ER in a multicenter study. The starting dose of both drugs was 5 mg. If the target clinic diastolic BP (90 mm Hg) had not been achieved after 4 weeks the dose was increased to 10 mg. Twenty-four-hour ABPM was performed with the subjects taking placebo medication before randomization and after 4 and 8 weeks undergoing active treatment.Significantly more patients responded after 4 weeks of treatment with amlodipine (50%) as compared with felodipine (33%) (P = .013). ABPM during daytime (07:00 to 23:00) was similar during both treatments, but nighttime systolic (P = .026) and diastolic (P = .019) BP was more effectively reduced by amlodipine than by felodipine. After 8 weeks 82% achieved the target pressure with amlodipine and 69% with felodipine (P = .036 for the difference).Amlodipine seems to be more effective than felodipine when the drugs are compared in the same dose, with regard to the effect on clinic BP 24 h after dosing and to ambulatory BP during the night. The longer elimination half-life of amlodipine as compared to felodipine is the probable reason for this finding.     

Association of Dairy Consumption and 24-Hour Blood Pressure in Older Adults with Hypertension

Background

The aim was to examine the association between habitual consumption of dairy products and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring among older adults with hypertension.

动态血压监测探讨体重指数与血压的关系

目的:动态血压监测探讨患者体重指数与血压变化情况。方法:选择门诊和病房住院的患者共691例(其中男性417例,女性274例),年龄范围13~90岁,平均年龄为55岁。所有观察对象测量诊室血压、心率、身高、体重和监测24小时动态血压等指标,按照体重指数分为3组,体重指数<24为正常体重组;24≤体重指数<28为超重组;体重指数≥28为肥胖组。结果:肥胖组患者24小时和白天的平均收缩压/舒张压、夜间平均舒张压以及24小时、白天和夜间心率均高于正常体重组,有显著性差异(P<0.05~0.01)。此外,血压负荷也随着体重指数的增加而增加,有显著性差异(P<0.05~0.01)。结论:体重指数与动态血压和血压负荷有较密切的关系;与正常体重组、超重组比较,肥胖组患者的血压最高、心率最快;动态血压提供的数据信息量大,结论更可靠、准确。     

24小时控制血压的重要性

在降低高血压患者心脑血管病的发病率和死亡率上 ,降压药的治疗起决定性作用 ,降压治疗的主要目的是恢复血压至正常水平并预防高血压的并发症 ,为了改善病人的依从性 ,以便更好的达到此目的 ,临床研究者们致力于研制一日一次的长效降压药 ,这些药比一日多次给药能提供许多的好处 ,但并不能认为它们就能充分的控制 2 4小时血压。降压治疗的发展有两个重要的方面 :一个是通过一日一次服长效药来增强顺应性 ,并在服药期间持续平稳的降压。另外一个即是如何在临床试验中评价疗效。传统的评价技术通常是用诊室测血压 ,现在已被较新的技术动态血压…     

Stimulation of thrombocytopoiesis decreases platelet β2 but not β1 or β3 integrins

The expression of CD29, CD61, CD18 and CD11a on platelets was examined by flow cytometry in mice treated with leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) or megakaryocyte growth and development factor (PEG-rHuMGDF or mpl-ligand). Treatment for 7–14 d with PEG-rHuMGDF or LIF increased the number of platelets in peripheral blood from 0.9 up to <2.0×10⁶/μl. These treatments decreased the expression of CD11a and CD18, whereas that of CD29 or CD61 was not markedly changed. Study after various doses or times of PEG-rHuMGDF administration indicated that a decrease of CD18 expression occurred when platelet counts started to rise. Platelet RNA content was increased in mice treated with PEG-rHuMGDF but double staining indicated that expression of CD18 was not correlated with RNA content. To evaluate integrin expression as a function of time in circulation, platelets were biotinylated in vivo . In normal or PEG-rHuMGDF-treated mice, the expression of CD29 or CD61 did not change, whereas that of CD18 decreased significantly as a function of time in circulation. These findings indicate, firstly, that stimulation of thrombocytopoiesis leads to the release of platelets with a low content of β2 integrin and, secondly, that this integrin is also selectively lost while in the circulation.     

The Effects of an Olmesartan Medoxomil–Based Treatment Algorithm on 24-Hour Blood Pressure Levels in Elderly Patients Aged 65 and Older

This study examined the effect of olmesartan medoxomil (OM) ± hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) on mean 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, mean seated cuff (Se) blood pressure (BP), and SeBP goal achievement in elderly (65 years and older) patients with hypertension. After a 2- to 3-week placebo run-in period, patients received OM 20 mg, up-titrated to OM 40 mg, and then added HCTZ 12.5  mg to 25 mg in a stepwise manner at 3-week intervals if SeBP remained ≥120/70 mm Hg. The primary end point was change from baseline in mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP. At study end, mean 24-hour ambulatory BP had decreased by 25.7/12.3 mm Hg (n=150) and mean SeBP by 25.4/10.5 mm Hg (n=176; all P <.00001 vs baseline). Drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events, most commonly dizziness (3.4%), hypotension (2.2%), and headache (1.1%), were observed in 11.8% of patients. An OM-based treatment algorithm effectively lowers BP in an elderly patient population throughout the 24-hour dosing interval without compromising tolerability.     

Analysis of 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Children With Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Hospital-Based Study

In the present study, we aimed to verify associations between ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a hospital-based population.This was a cross-sectional observational study on children aged 4 to 16 years with OSA-related symptoms from a tertiary referral medical center. All children received overnight polysomnography and 24-hour recording of ABP. Severity of the disease was classified as primary snoring (apnea-hypopnea index, AHI <1), mild OSA (AHI 1–5), and moderate-to-severe OSA (AHI >5).For 195 children enrolled in this study (mean age, 7.8 ± 3.4 years; 69% boy), ABP increased as severity of OSA increased. During daytime, children with moderate-to-severe OSA had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (BP) (117.0 ± 12.7 vs 110.5 ± 9.3 mmHg), mean arterial pressure (MAP) (85.6 ± 8.1 vs 81.6 ± 6.8 mmHg), and diastolic BP load (12.0 ± 9.6 vs 8.4 ± 10.9 mmHg) compared with children with primary snoring. During nighttime, children with moderate-to-severe OSA had significantly higher systolic BP (108.6 ± 15.0 vs 100.0 ± 9.4 mmHg), MAP (75.9 ± 9.6 vs 71.1 ± 7.0 mmHg), systolic BP load (44.0 ± 32.6 vs 26.8 ± 24.5 mmHg), systolic BP index (0.5 ± 13.1 vs −6.8 ± 8.5 mmHg), and higher prevalence of systolic hypertension (47.6% vs 14.7 %) compared with children with primary snoring. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed an independent association between AHI and nighttime systolic BP and MAP after adjusting for adiposity variables.This large hospital-based study showed that children with moderate-to-severe OSA had a higher ABP compared with children who were primary snorers. As elevated BP in childhood predicts future cardiovascular risks, children with severe OSA should be treated properly to prevent further adverse cardiovascular outcomes.     

Effects of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers on Relationships Between 24-Hour Blood Pressure,Autonomic Function,and Health-Related QOL

We report the relationship between 24-hour (24-h) blood pressure, autonomic function, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in normotensives and hypertensives. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between 24-h blood pressure, autonomic function, and HRQOL during treatment with an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in patients with hypertension. Thirteen patients with hypertension were randomly treated with losartan (25–50 mg, n = 5), candesartan (4–8 mg, n = 4), valsartan (80 mg, n = 1), telmisartan (40 mg, n = 2), and olmesartan (10 mg, n = 1), daily. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) was measured before treatment and 3 months after treatment. Sympathetic nervous activity (the ratio of low frequency to high frequency component (LF/HF)) and parasympathetic nervous activity (high frequency component (HF)) were calculated by analyzing heart rate variability. HRQOL was assessed using a medical outcome study short-form 36-item health survey (SF-36) questionnaire. All of the participants completed the study. Angiotensin receptor blocker treatment reduced 24-h mean BP (MBP) from 107 ± 9 to 100 ± 9 mmHg. 24-h MBP positively correlated with 24-h LF/HF in all subjects who received ARB (R = 0.568, p < 0.04). There were no differences in heart rate, serum albumin level, BUN level, creatinine level, potassium level, or HRQOL score. These findings indicated that ARB reduced BP; however, treatment with ARB did not affect the scores of HRQOL and the relationship between 24-h blood pressure and autonomic function.