老年隐性高血压患者中心动脉压与脉搏波传导速度的相关性研究

目的探讨老年隐性高血压患者中心动脉压及增强指数与脉搏波传导速度(PWV)的相关性。方法选择临床诊断血压正常者250例,根据血压诊断标准分为血压正常(正常组)169例和隐性高血压(隐性组)81例,及高血压患者(高血压组)150例。监测24 h动态血压。并采用大动脉测量仪测量中心动脉压及其反射波;采用PWV测定仪测量颈桡动脉PWV(crPWV)。结果隐性组中心动脉收缩压、中心动脉舒张压、中心脉压、平均收缩压、平均舒张压、收缩末压、增强压、crPWV明显高于正常组,明显低于高血压组(P<0.05,P<0.01)。多元线性回归分析显示,中心动脉收缩压、中心脉压、LDL-C是crPWV的主要影响因素(β=0.268、β=0.313、β=0.311,P<0.01)。结论老年隐性高血压患者中心动脉压及增强指数明显升高,提示动脉弹性下降,中心动脉收缩压、中心脉压、LDL-C是影响动脉僵硬度的主要危险因素。     

老年高血压患者中心动脉压与动脉粥样硬化及左心室功能的关系

目的 探讨老年高血压患者中心动脉压与动脉硬化及左心功能的关系. 方法 155例老年高血压患者,分为60～79岁组71例.80～95岁组84例.分别应用脉搏波分析仪计算中心动脉压及反射波增强指数;用全自动动脉硬化测量仪测定动脉硬化相关指标:臂踝脉搏波传导速度、踝臂指数、趾臂指数;用多普勒超声心动仪测定左心功能相关指标:舒张末期室间隔厚度、舒张末期左心室内径、舒张末期左心室后壁厚度、左心室相对厚度、左心室质量指数、二尖瓣前叶EF斜率、左心室射血分数、短轴缩短率. 结果 80～95岁组收缩压、脉压、中心动脉压、反射波增强指数、臂踝脉搏波传导速度均高于60～79岁组(P<0.05),踝臂指数、趾臂指数均低于60～79岁组(P<0.01).80～95岁组舒张末期室间隔厚度、舒张末期左心室后壁厚度、左心室相对厚度,左心室质量指数均高于60～79岁组(P<0.05),二尖瓣前叶EF斜率显著低于60～79岁组(P<0.05),舒张末期左心室内径、左心室射血分数、短轴缩短率两组阃差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05).经年龄、性别、体质指数、血糖、血脂、血尿酸、血肌酐调整后,中心动脉压与反射波增强指数、臂踝脉搏波传导速度呈正相关(r值分别为0.505和0.284,P<0.01);与踝臂指数、趾臂指数无相关性(P>0.05).中心动脉压与左心室肥厚及心功能指标舒张末期室间隔厚度、舒张末期左心室后壁厚度、左心室相对厚度、左心室质量指数亦呈正相关(P<0.05),而与二尖瓣前叶EF斜率呈负相关(P<0.01),与左心室射血分数、短轴缩短率、舒张末期左心室内径无相关性(P>0.05). 结论 随年龄的增长,老年高血压患者中心动脉压升高,动脉硬化程度加重,并伴随左心室肥厚及舒张功能下降.中心动脉压可用于早期动脉硬化的诊断和筛查.     

5-单硝酸异山梨醇酯改善高血压患者血压以及血管弹性的临床观察

目的观察5-单硝酸异山梨醇酯(IS-5-MN)对脉压≥60 mmHg高血压患者动脉弹性功能、反射波及血压的影响.方法选取符合入选条件的30例原发性高血压患者,分两组进行单盲、安慰剂对照研究,每组15人分别给予IS-5-MN(30 mg/d)或安慰剂,疗程四周.标准袖带水银血压计测量肱动脉血压,自动脉搏波速度测定仪测定颈动脉-股动脉脉搏波传导速度(CF-PWV),DO-2020动脉功能测定仪获得大动脉和小动脉弹性指数(C1和C2),桡动脉压力波形分析获得中心动脉压、外周反射波增压及增强指数.结果校正安慰剂效应后,(1)患者CF-PWV明显减慢,C1显著提高,C2无明显改变.(2)反射波增压和增强指数明显下降.(3)外周和中心动脉收缩压和脉压显著降低.结论 5-单硝酸异山梨醇酯明显改善脉压≥60 mmHg高血压患者的大动脉弹性,减弱外周波反射,降低了收缩压和脉压.     

老年正常高值血压者动态血压及节律与中心动脉反射波增强指数的关系

目的探讨正常高值血压者动态血压及节律与中心动脉反射波增强指数的关系。方法选择正常血压者(正常组)138例,正常高值血压者(高值组)121例,高血压者(高血压组)100例,采用动态血压监测仪监测动态血压及节律;采用动脉脉搏波分析仪测量中心动脉压及增强指数(AIx)。结果与正常组比较,高值组24h平均收缩压、24h平均舒张压、昼间平均收缩压、昼间平均舒张压、夜间平均收缩压、夜间平均舒张压、中心动脉收缩压、中心动脉舒张压、中心动脉脉压、增强压、AIx均明显升高,夜间收缩压下降率明显降低(P<0.05)。正常高值血压经多元线性逐步回归分析显示,性别、年龄、吸烟、夜间收缩压下降率、非杓型血压发生率为AIx的主要影响因素。经协方差分析,血压水平与非杓型血压发生率对AIx均有影响,且有协同作用(F=12.37,P<0.05)。结论非杓型血压单独对AIx有影响,且与高水平血压有协同叠加效应。     

血压正常高值者动脉僵硬度与动态血压参数的关系

目的探讨血压正常高值者动脉僵硬度与动态血压参数的关系。方法选择理想血压者63例,血压正常高值者74例,高血压者67例。监测所有入选者24 h动态血压,应用脉搏波传导速度测定仪测定颈动脉-桡动脉脉搏波传导速度。结果血压正常高值组24 h收缩压、24 h舒张压、白昼收缩压、白昼舒张压、夜间收缩压、24 h脉压、白昼脉压及夜间脉压均高于理想血压组,低于高血压组(P<0.05或P<0.01);血压正常高值组夜间舒张压低于高血压组(P<0.05)。血压正常高值组颈动脉-桡动脉脉搏波传导速度(9.67±1.12 m/s)显著高于血压理想组(8.27±0.99 m/s),低于高血压组(10.55±1.71 m/s;P<0.05或P<0.01)。多元线性回归分析显示,24 h收缩压、24 h脉压、夜间收缩压是颈动脉-桡动脉脉搏波传导速度的影响因素(β值分别为0.385、0.351及0.247,P<0.05)。结论血压正常高值者动脉僵硬度增高,24 h收缩压、24 h脉压、夜间收缩压是影响动脉弹性的主要因素。     

脉压与冠状动脉狭窄严重程度的相关性研究

目的探讨脉压与冠状动脉病变狭窄严重程度的相关性。方法对拟诊冠心病或确诊冠心病的住院患者405例,行冠状动脉造影术。根据病变累及左前降支、左回旋支和右冠状动脉支数分为4组:冠状动脉正常组(102例)、单支病变组(77例)、双支病变组(102例)和3支病变病(124例)。冠状动脉病变狭窄的严重程度用病变的血管支数及Gensini积分表示。所有患者在术中测量主动脉血压及外周桡动脉血压。结果3支病变组主动脉、外周桡动脉收缩压和脉压均显著高于冠状动脉正常组(P<0.05),双支病变组主动脉收缩压、外周桡动脉收缩压和脉压显著高于冠状动脉正常组,单支病变组与冠状动脉正常组差异无统计学意义。收缩压与脉压随着狭窄支数的增加而增加。多因素分析结果显示,主动脉脉压、桡动脉脉压、年龄与冠状动脉狭窄程度的关系最为密切。结论脉压是冠心病冠状动脉狭窄发生发展的独立危险因素,且主动脉脉压的预测价值更大。     

5-单硝酸异山梨醇酯改善高血压患者血压以及血管弹性的临床观察

目的 观察5-单硝酸异山梨醇酯(IS-5-MN)对脉压≥60mmHk高血压患者动脉弹性功能、反射波及血压的影响。方法 选取符合人选条件的30例原发性高血压患者，分两组进行单盲、安慰剂对照研究，每组15人分别给予IS-5-MN(30mg／d)或安慰剂，疗程四周。标准袖带水银血压计测量肱动脉血压，自动脉搏波速度测定仪测定颈动脉-股动脉脉搏波传导速度(CF-PWV)，DO-2020动脉功能测定仪获得大动脉和小动脉弹性指数(C1和C2)，桡动脉压力波形分析获得中心动脉压、外周反射波增压及增强指数。结果 校正安慰剂效应后，(1)患者CF-PWV明显减慢，C1显著提高，C2无明显改变。(2)反射波增压和增强指数明显下降。(3)外周和中心动脉收缩压和脉压显著降低。结论 5-单硝酸异山梨醇酯明显改善脉压≥60mmHg高血压患者的大动脉弹性，减弱外周波反射，降低了收缩压和脉压。     

老年高血压病患者左心室肥厚危险因素分析

目的　旨在探讨老年高血压病患者伴发左心室肥厚的危险因素。方法　15 5例老年男性高血压病患者分为高血压伴左心室肥厚组(45例)和高血压无左心室肥厚组(110例) ,比较两组患者2 4h血压监测各项指标、纤维蛋白原及血脂等浓度,用多元逐步回归分析,探讨左心室肥厚的可能影响因素。结果　两组患者之间年龄、体重指数、体表面积差异无显著性意义;但高血压病程、2 4h平均脉压、平均收缩压及纤维蛋白原差异有显著性意义;2 4h平均脉压升高可能为左心室肥厚的独立危险因素。结论　高血压伴发左心室肥厚是长期血压控制不良、代谢紊乱等多因素作用的结果,其中,脉压增大者更易出现左心室肥厚。     

正常高值血压中升高的中心动脉压及增强指数的相关性

目的探讨正常高值血压与中心动脉压及动脉硬化的关系。方法采用脉搏波分析仪记录472例受试者(理想血压组167例,正常高值血压组129例,及高血压组176例)的桡动脉脉搏波,经计算机转换函数自动转换为相应的中心动脉脉搏波,并计算中心动脉压力及反映全身动脉硬化的增强指数(AIx)。结果与理想血压者相比,正常高值血压患者体重指数、吸烟及饮酒的比例、血尿酸及总胆固醇、甘油三酯水平显著增高;中心动脉收缩压、收缩末期压及中心动脉增强压分别增加13.39 mmHg(95%CI,9.71～17.08 mmHg)、11.66 mmHg(95%CI,8.37～14.94 mmHg)及1.95 mmHg(95%CI,0.52～3.38 mmHg),增强指数增加3.97%(95%CI,0.27%～7.68%)。虽然正常高值血压组的偶测血压显著低于高血压组,但经年龄、性别及身高、心率等调整后,两组的增强指数无显著差异。结论与理想血压者相比,正常高值血压患者有更多的心血管危险因素,且中心动脉压力及增强指数升高,提示患者左心室负荷加重,动脉顺应性下降。这些血流动力学的改变可能有助于增加心血管病危险,对其进行评价有助于正常高值血压人群的危险分层及防治。     

多种大动脉僵硬度指标的联合应用对冠心病预测价值的研究

目的探讨多种大动脉僵硬度无创检测指标对冠心病发病的预测作用。方法选择205例具有冠心病危险因素的住院患者,根据冠状动脉造影结果分为冠心病组(136例)和对照组(69例)。完成脉搏波传导速度(PWV)、大小动脉弹性指数、脉搏波分析和颈总动脉超声4项检测。并采用多元逐步logistic回归分析各因素与冠心病发病风险的关系;ROC曲线评估无创检测的敏感性和特异性。结果与对照组比较,冠心病组平均年龄、男性比例、糖尿病患者比例、血清肌酐、受试当天左侧肱动脉收缩压和肱动脉脉压均增高(P0.05),PWV、增强压(AP)、中心动脉脉压(CPP)、颈总动脉内膜中层厚度(C-IMT)和颈总动脉内径均值明显升高(P0.05),两组大小动脉弹性指数、反射波增强指数、CPP/外周脉压(PP)均值无显著差异。在校正了年龄、性别、身高和受试时心率后,两组AP、CPP、CPP/PP、C-IMT均值明显增高(P0.05)。结论多种大动脉僵硬度指标与冠心病发病独立相关。logistic回归模型是较为理想的冠心病筛查工具,具有一定的临床实用价值。     

桡动脉增强指数与心血管病危险及动脉僵硬度相关分析

目的 探讨桡动脉增强指数(rAI)与心血管病危险及动脉僵硬度相关性。方法 北京地区4985例(男2417例,女2568例),年龄18 ～96(50.9±14.7)岁,测量左侧rAI;应用脉搏波传播速度(PWV)自动测量系统测定颈-股动脉PWV(CFPWV)和颈-桡动脉PWV(CRPWV)。并对其中没有心血管病的人群应用Framingham危险评分和中国缺血性心血管病危险评分分别计算个体心血管病风险。结果 女性的rAI显著高于男性[(83.18±12.36)％比(71.93±15.22)％,P＜0.01]。相关分析rAI无论与两种心血管评分还是与CFPWV、CRPWV均有显著相关性;当校正了年龄、舒张压、吸烟、心率、身高、腰围及空腹血糖后rAI仍与Framingham评分及中国心血管评分有相关性,其中男、女性相关系数r分别为0.17、0.09和0.12、0.08(P值均＜0.05),rAI仅与CFPWV有相关性(男女分别为r=0.14、0.10,P＜0.01),而与CRPWV无相关性。在相对年老的人群中(＞50岁)rAI与心血管病危险评分及PWV的相关性减弱。结论 rAI可能是一种预测心血管病风险及评估动脉僵硬度的有价值工具;作为危险分层的工具,rAI可能更适用于相对年轻的人群。     

Identifying women with severe angiographic coronary disease

Abstract. Kreatsoulas C, Natarajan MK, Khatun R, Velianou JL, Anand SS (McMaster University; CARING Network, McMaster University; Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences; Interventional Cardiology, Hamilton Health Sciences; Eli Lilly Canada–May Cohen Chair in Women's Health, McMaster University; Michael G. DeGroote‐Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Chair in Population Health Research, McMaster University; Population Genomics Program, McMaster University; McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada). Identifying women with severe angiographic coronary disease. J Intern Med 2010; 268 :66–74. Objectives. To determine sex/gender differences in the distribution of risk factors according to age and identify factors associated with the presence of severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Design. We analysed 23 771 consecutive patients referred for coronary angiography from 2000 to 2006. Subjects. Patients did not have previously diagnosed CAD and were referred for first diagnostic angiography. Outcome measures. Patients were classified according to angiographic disease severity. Severe CAD was defined as left main stenosis ≥50%, three‐vessel disease with ≥70% stenosis or two‐vessel disease including proximal left anterior descending stenosis of ≥70%. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between risk factors and angina symptoms with severe CAD. Results. Women were less likely to have severe CAD (22.3% vs. 36.5%) compared with men. Women were also significantly older (69.8 ± 10.6 vs. 66.3 ± 10.7 years), had higher rates of diabetes (35.0% vs. 26.6%), hypertension (74.8% vs. 63.3%) and Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) class IV angina symptoms (56.7% vs. 47.8%). Men were more likely to be smokers (56.9% vs. 37.9%). Factors independently associated with severe CAD included age (OR = 1.05; 95% CI 1.05–1.05, P < 0.01), male sex (OR = 2.43; CI 2.26–2.62, P < 0.01), diabetes (OR = 2.00; CI 1.86–2.18, P < 0.01), hyperlipidaemia (OR = 1.50; CI 1.39–1.61, P < 0.01), smoking (OR = 1.10; CI 1.03–1.18, P = 0.06) and CCS class IV symptoms (OR = 1.43; CI 1.34–1.53, P < 0.01). CCS Class IV angina was a stronger predictor of severe CAD amongst women compared with men (women OR = 1.82; CI 1.61–2.04 vs. men OR = 1.28; CI 1.18–1.39, P < 0.01). Conclusions. Women referred for first diagnostic angiography have lower rates of severe CAD compared with men across all ages. Whilst conventional risk factors, age, sex, diabetes, smoking and hyperlipidaemia are primary determinants of CAD amongst women and men, CCS Class IV angina is more likely to be associated with severe CAD in women than men.     

高血压病患者冠状动脉粥样硬化与主动脉脉压的相关性

目的研究冠状动脉粥样硬化与高血压病患者主动脉脉压的关系。方法入选300例初发未经治疗的高血压病患者,根据冠状动脉造影结果将患者分为冠心病组和非冠心病组。在冠状动脉造影前测量主动脉根部的收缩压和舒张压并计算主动脉脉压,收集患者的临床指标和实验室检查资料。结果冠心病组的主动脉收缩压(150.3±26.5 mmHg)和脉压(77.1±22.7 mmHg)明显高于非冠心病组(145.6±23.3 mmHg和70.4±19.3 mmHg,P<0.05),冠心病组每搏输出量与主动脉脉压的比值(1.15±0.44 mL/mmHg)明显低于非冠心病组(1.31±0.50 mL/mmHg,P<0.05)。另外,冠心病组患者的空腹血糖(122.3±24.0 mg/dL比95.6±24.4 mg/dL,P<0.01)和血清肌酐(1.06±0.19 mg/dL比0.99±0.14 mg/dL,P<0.01)比非冠心病组高,而高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(47.7±11.7 mg/dL比54.9±15.6 mg/dL,P<0.01)比非冠心病组低。结论动脉粥样硬化可进一步加重高血压病患者大动脉僵硬度,使主动脉脉压增宽。此外,动脉粥样硬化还导致高血压病患者的肾功能受损,并影响脂质代谢。     

Blood pressure and heart rate related to sex in untreated subjects: the India ABPM study

Women are underrepresented in groups of patients seeking hypertension care in India. The present paper reports trends in office and ambulatory blood pressure measurement (OBPM, ABPM) and 24‐h heart rate (HR) with sex in 14,977 subjects untreated for hypertension (aged 47.3 ± 13.9 years, males 69.4%) visiting primary care physicians. Results showed that, for systolic blood pressure (SBP), females had lower daytime ABPM (131 ± 16 vs. 133 ± 14 mm Hg, P < .001) but higher nighttime ABPM (122 ± 18 vs. 121 ± 16 mm Hg, P < .001) than males. Females had higher HR than men at daytime (80 ± 11 vs 79 ± 11.5 bpm) and nighttime (71 ± 11 vs 69 ± 11), respectively (all P < .001). Dipping percentages for SBP (7.4 ± 7.3 vs 9.3 ± 7.4%), DBP (10.1 ± 8.6 vs. 12.3 ± 8.9%), and HR (10.7 ± 7.9 vs. 12.8 ± 9.2%) were lower (P < .001) for females than for males, respectively. Females more often had isolated nighttime hypertension as compared to males (14.9%, n = 684% vs 10.6%, n = 1105; P < .001). BP patterns and HR showed clear differences in sex, particularly at nighttime. As females were more often affected by non‐dipping and elevated nighttime SBP and HR than males, they should receive ABPM, at least, as frequently as men to document higher risk necessitating treatment.     

Sex Difference in the Association Between Brachial Pulse Pressure and Coronary Artery Disease: The Korean Women's Chest Pain Registry (KoROSE)

This study was performed to investigate the association between brachial pulse pressure (PP) and the presence/extent of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in men and women. Study data were obtained from a nation‐wide registry composed of 632 patients (173 men and 459 women, 58.1±10.5 years) with suspected CAD who underwent invasive coronary angiography. PP was higher in patients with obstructive CAD (≥50% stenosis) than those without CAD in both sexes (P=.032 in men; P<.001 in women). However, PP increased proportionally with the increasing number of obstructed coronary arteries in women (P<.001) but not in men (P=.070). Multiple logistic‐regression analyses demonstrated that higher PP (≥50.5 mm Hg) was an independent factor for determining obstructive CAD even after controlling for potential confounders in women (odds ratio, 2.83; 95% confidence interval, 1.40–5.73; P=.004). These results were consistent in 173 selected women matched with 173 men based on age and CAD severity. In conclusion, the association between brachial PP and obstructive CAD was more pronounced in women than in men. Brachial PP can be a simple and useful indicator of CAD especially in women.     

Variations of perioperative baroreflex sensitivity in hypertensive and normotensive patients

Background: Impaired baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is a marker of autonomous dysfunction, which may play an important role in the long-term development of hypertension. Perioperative patients with hypertension are rapidly increasing in all populations worldwide. Objective: To estimate the value of BRS for hypertension in a surgery cohort. Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study was performed, involving 96 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy or segmentectomy. Invasive blood pressure and heart rate before and after giving nitroglycerin were measured in 48 normotensive patients and 48 hypertensive patients (25 and 23 undergoing regular treatment hypertensive [HR] and irregular treatment hypertensive [HI], respectively) while entering the operation room, 30 minutes after skin incision, and 10 minutes after skin suture. Results: BRS_preoperative of hypertensive group (Group H) was lower than normotensive group (Group N) (3.49 ± 1.55 vs. 5.75 ± 4.15 ms/mmHg; P < 0.05). BRS_{intraoperative} of Group H was lower than Group N (1.70 ± 1.18 vs. 2.84 ± 1.11 ms/mmHg; P < 0.05). BRS_preoperative of patients in irregular-treated group (Group HI) was lower than regular-treated group (Group HR) (2.92 ± 1.36 vs. 4.31 ± 1.87 ms/mmHg; P < 0.05). BRS_{intraoperative} of Group HI was lower than Group HR (1.45 ± 0.90 vs. 2.08 ± 1.82 ms/mmHg; P < 0.05). BRS_{intraoperative} and BRS_{postoperative} were lower than BRS_preoperative in each group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The perioperative autonomic nerve function was significantly impaired in hypertensive patients. This effect was less pronounced for those who were on regular antihypertensive treatment. Attention should be paid to maintain the stability of cardiovascular function, to ensure patients can go through perioperative period safely.     

Sex differences in essential hypertension

Abstract. A group of 41-year-old hypertensive men (n = 35, blood pressure (BP) 149.9 ± 2.1/ 98.9 ± 1.1 mmHg, mean ± SEM) who had never received treatment for their condition were compared with hypertensive women of the same age (n = 18, BP 155.9 ± 4.3/ 98.1 ± 1.6 mmHg) with comparable body mass index (BMI. 25.9 ± 0.5 vs. 24.9 ± 4.5 kg m^?2) who, also, had never received treatment. The lipid profile was more atherogenic in the men, with lower HDL cholesterol (1.21 ± 0.04 vs. 1.38 ± 0.06 mmol l^?1 P = 0.04), higher total cholesterol (6.04 ± 0.14 vs. 5.54 ± 0.18 mmol l^?1. P = 0.04) and triglycerides (1.80 ± 0.16 vs. 0.96 ± 0.10 mmol l^?1, P < 0.001). The hypertensive men had higher haemoglobin (P < 0.001) and haematocrit. Plasma catecholamines were inversely related to BMI in the women only (r = ?0.52, P < 0.05 for both noradrenaline and adrenaline). Women with BMI above 25 kg m^?2 had significantly lower arterial plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline than those with BMI below 25 kg m^?2 (28 ± 5 vs. 78 ± 16 pg ml^?1, P < 0.01 and 101 ± 17 vs. 206 ± 33 pg ml^?1, P < 0.01 respectively). A negative curvelinear relationship appeared between arterial adrenaline and insulin (r = 0.49, P= 0.05). These results suggest a male propensity for athero-thrombogenic risk factors in otherwise comparable hypertensive subjects. A close relationship between metabolic risk factors within the normal range seems to exist even in hypertensive women. The decreased sympathetic activity at rest in the obese hypertensive women indicates different pathophysiological mechanism for hypertension in lean and obese. Decreased sympathetic activity and thus reduced energy expenditure, promotes a risk for weight gain, and could explain the inverse relationship between insulin and adrenaline.     

Heart rate affects endothelial function in essential hypertension

Increased heart rate (HR) is a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the general population and in some clinical conditions. Endothelial dysfunction is an adverse prognostic factor for cardiovascular events. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of HR on central hemodynamic parameters and endothelial function in hypertension. We evaluated forearm blood flow (FBF) response to intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in 30 patients with HR ≤60 min^?1 and 30 with HR ≥80 min^?1. The FBF was measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. Transesophageal atrial pacing was used to increase the HR. Radial artery applanation tonometry and pulse wave analysis were used to derive central aortic pressures and correlate hemodynamic indices. The FBF response to ACh is lower in hypertensives with HR ≤60 min^?1 than in those with HR ≥80 min^?1 (10.6 ± 4.2 vs. 13.6 ± 5.1 ml × 100 ml^?1 of tissue × min^?1, P < 0.001). Vascular resistance decreases to 9.3 ± 2.8 U in patients with lower HR versus 7.2 ± 2.1 U in those with higher HR (P = 0.002). The FBF response to SNP is similar in both groups. Central systolic and pulse pressure are higher in bradycardic patients than in those with HR ≥80 min^?1 (140 ± 8 vs. 131 ± 8 mmHg, P = 0.0001 and 49 ± 10 vs. 39 ± 11 mmHg, P = 0.0001). All central hemodynamic parameters decrease during incremental atrial pacing. Augmentation index is the strongest predictor of endothelial dysfunction at multivariate analysis. These findings demonstrate that low HR affects endothelium-dependent vasodilation in hypertension. Increased central aortic pressure and hemodynamic correlates seem to be the underlying mechanisms by which bradycardia interferes with endothelium-dependent reactivity.     

Association of obstructive sleep apnea with arterial stiffness and nondipping blood pressure in patients with hypertension

Whether sex influences the association of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with markers of cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension is unknown. In this study, 95 hypertensive participants underwent carotid‐femoral pulse wave velocity, 24‐hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiogram, and polysomnography after a 30‐day standardized treatment with hydrochlorothiazide plus enalapril or losartan. OSA was present in 52 patients. Compared with non‐OSA patients, pulse wave velocity values were higher in the OSA group (men: 11.1±2.2 vs 12.7±2.4 m/s, P=.04; women: 11.8±2.4 vs 13.2±2.2 m/s, P=.03). The proportion of diastolic dysfunction was significant in men and women with OSA. Compared with non‐OSA patients, nondipping systolic blood pressure in OSA was higher in men (14.3% vs 46.4%) and in women (41.4% vs 65.2%). OSA was independently associated with pulse wave velocity (β=1.050; P=.025) and nondipping systolic blood pressure (odds ratio, 3.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–8.55; P=.035) in the regression analysis. In conclusion, OSA is independently associated with arterial stiffness and nondipping blood pressure in patients with hypertension regardless of sex.     

Measurement of pulse wave velocity,augmentation index,and central pulse pressure in atrial fibrillation: a proof of concept study

Individualized weighing of the risk benefit of anticoagulation is recommended in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have low established risk scores or, conversely, are at increased risk for bleeding. Parameters of arterial stiffness and wave reflection could improve risk stratification, but their use has not been evaluated in arrhythmia. We measured carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), central augmentation index (AI), and central pulse pressure (CPP) using the SphygmoCor system in 34 patients (53 to 85 years; 25 males) with AF before and after elective electrical cardioversion. Agreement was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the coefficient of variation, completed with Bland–Altman plots. After cardioversion, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) decreased significantly by 8 mmHg and 18 bpm, respectively. PWV decreased from 11.8 m/s to 10.7 m/s, AI increased from 24% to 29%, and CPP rose from 38 mmHg to 43 mmHg. The decrease in PWV was related to the decrease in MAP (beta = 0.57; R² = 0.33; P < .001), whereas changes in AI and CPP were related to the decrease in HR (AI: beta = ?0.59; R² = 0.35; P < .001, CPP: beta = ?0.55; R² = 0.28; P = .001). After adjustment for changes in MAP and HR, reliability analysis showed an excellent agreement for PWV (ICC = 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79–0.95) but moderate agreement for AI (ICC = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.17–0.80). Excellent agreement was also found for CPP (ICC = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.72–0.95). Measurement of PWV and CPP is reliable in patients with AF, as they appear unaffected by the presence of arrhythmia.