Loss of the nocturnal dip and increased variability of blood pressure in normotensive patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Summary. Eleven normotensive diabetics with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (mean age 52.5 SD 8.2 years) and 11 controls (mean age 47.4 SD 8.9 years) had their ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate recorded non-invasively by the Oxford Medilog System in standard hospital conditions. The results were averaged as hourly means of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) for the 24-h period and similarly for the ‘awake’ period (14.16 h) and the ‘asleep’ period (8–10 h). Hourly means for diabetics and controls showed no differences in blood pressure and heart rate over the 24 h. During sleep, control subjects showed a significant drop in SBP (P < 0.001), DBP (P < 0.001), MAP (P < 0.001) and HR (P < 0.001). However, this nocturnal dip in blood pressure could not be demonstrated in the diabetic group. Blood pressure variability was significantly increased in diabetics compared to controls during waking hours (P < 0.01). These results indicate that in noninsulin-dependent diabetics during sleep there is loss of the nocturnal dip of BP seen in normal subjects, and they have increased BP variability. These may be contributing factors to the development of hypertension and the accelerated target organ damage (TOD) seen in diabetes.,     

Effect on cardiovascular system and autonomic nervous system in healthy adults with different body types while performing movements simulating washing of the lower limbs for cardiac rehabilitation

Aim: To clarify the effects on the cardiovascular system and autonomic nervous system of activities simulating washing of the lower limbs in subjects with different body types (underweight body mass index [BMI] < 18.5, normal weight BMI 18.5–24.9, overweight BMI ≥ 25). Methods: Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), skin blood flow (BF), and HR variability were measured in 15 healthy adults while performing movements similar to washing the lower limbs. Changes in SBP, DBP, HR, BF, double product (DP), low‐frequency values (LF), high‐frequency values (HF) and the ratio between the powers of LF and HF (LF/HF) during activities performed from the supine position (ΔSBP, ΔDBP, ΔHR, ΔBF, ΔDP, ΔLF, ΔHF and ΔLF/HF) were compared among subjects grouped according to body type. Results: ΔHR and ΔDP in the overweight group were significantly lower than in underweight and normal weight groups (ΔHR, underweight P < 0.05 and normal weight P < 0.05; ΔDP, underweight P < 0.05 and normal weight P < 0.001). Moreover, ΔDP in the underweight group was significantly lower than in the normal weight group (normal weight P < 0.05). ΔBF and ΔLF/HF in the normal weight group were significantly lower than in underweight and overweight groups (ΔBF, underweight P < 0.05 and overweight group P < 0.05; ΔLF/HF, underweight P < 0.05 and overweight P < 0.01). ΔHF in the overweight group was significantly lower than in the normal weight group (normal weight P < 0.05). Conclusion: The effect on the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems by movements simulating washing of the lower limbs differed according to body type.     

Relationship between fasting insulin and cardiovascular risk factors is already present in young men: the Verona Young Men Atherosclerosis Risk Factors Study

The associations between fasting plasma insulin concentration and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were examined in 979 18-year-old men participating in the Verona Young Men Atherosclerosis Risk Factors Study, a cross-sectional population-based study. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), plasma triglycerides and uric acid concentrations, and blood pressure values significantly increased, and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL)–total cholesterol ratio decreased, across quartiles of fasting insulin. Total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations did not change significantly with the increase in fasting insulin levels. After adjustment for BMI, WHR, smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity, only plasma triglycerides significantly increased across insulin quartiles (F =7.1; P <0.001). However, systolic blood pressure and uric acid were close to statistical significance (P =0.06–0.07). Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that plasma insulin was independently correlated with plasma triglycerides and, to a lesser extent, with blood pressure and uric acid concentration. This analysis pointed out that BMI was a stronger independent predictor of all cardiovascular disease risk factors than fasting insulin. When subjects were categorized according to the number of metabolic and haemodynamic disorders occurring within the same individual, subjects with multiple disorders (i.e. three or four) had higher plasma insulin levels than those with none or few disorders, even after adjusting for BMI, WHR and behavioural variables (F =4.0; P <0.01). These results indicate that hyperinsulinaemia is already associated with a cluster of cardiovascular disease risk factors in young adulthood, the strongest independent association being with plasma triglycerides.     

Assessment of the antihypertensive efficacy of various doses of delapril by office and ambulatory blood pressure measurement: The DEFIND study

This study was undertaken to compare and verify the antihypertensive effects of various delapril doses versus placebo on office and ambulatory blood pressure (BP). After a 2-wk placebo period, 303 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were randomized in a double-blind study to 8 wk of treatment with placebo, or delapril 7.5 mg twice daily, delapril 15 mg twice daily, delapril 30 mg twice daily, or delapril 30 mg once daily. BP changes versus baseline and rates of normalized office systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 90 mm Hg, as well as responder office SBP > 140 mm Hg or reduction ≥20 mm Hg and office DBP > 90 mm Hg or reduction ≥10 mm Hg, were calculated. In the intention-to-treat population (n=296), office SBP and DBP reductions were more notable with 30 mg twice daily (15.6/11.5 mm Hg) and 15 mg twice daily (14.8/12.5 mm Hg) than with other delapril regimens (30 mg once daily: 11.8/10.5 mm Hg; 7.5 mg twice daily: 12.9/10.1 mm Hg) and placebo (P< .05 for DBP;P< .01 for SBP). The same was true for frequency of responders (63.8% and 60.3%; P≤.05 vs placebo) and normalized patients (58.6% and 53.4%;P< .05 vs placebo). Analysis of ambulatory BPs confirmed the accuracy of office BPs. Drug-related adverse events occurred in 3.4% to 6.7% of patients given delapril and in 6.5% of those given placebo. The lowest effective dose of delapril, 15 mg twice daily, may be recommended as the initial dose for patients who begin treatment with this agent.     

Haemodynamic Changes During Craniotomy Monitored By A Bioimpedance Plethysmographic Noninvasive Cardiac Output Monitor

Background  Profound cardiovascular changes may occur at various stages during a craniotomy. These changes require a detailed haemodynamic analysis including cardiac output. In the present study, we used a monitor based on electrical bioimpedance method for noninvasive cardiac output measurement. Methods  In 17 ASA I and II patients undergoing elective craniotomies for supratentorial tumours, the following haemodynamic parameters were measured noninvasively: heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Haemodynamic changes in response to the following events were studied: (a) induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone, (b) 15 min of air–O₂–isoflurane anaesthesia, (c) infiltration of the scalp with lidocaine adrenaline mixture, and (d) change of inspired gas mixture to N₂O–O₂–isoflurane. Results  HR increased (P < 0.001) and SV decreased (P < 0.001) while CO remained unchanged, one min after administration of thiopentone. After 15 min of isoflurane anaesthesia, HR increased (P < 0.001) and, SBP (P = 0.02), DBP (P = 0.002) and SV (P = 0.003) decreased significantly without change in CO. Three minutes after infiltration of the scalp with lidocaine–adrenaline mixture, there was an increase in SBP (P = 0.001), DBP (P = 0.007), SV (P = 0.007) and CO (P = 0.001) and a decrease in SVR (P < 0.001). Addition of nitrous oxide (60%) to the inspired gas mixture decreased SBP (P = 0.003) and DBP (P = 0.001) with a trend for decrease in CO (P < 0.1). The changes recorded in the present study conform to those that have been documented earlier by using invasive monitoring. Conclusion  Bioimpedance plethysmography is a useful noninvasive technique for monitoring and detailed analysis of the rapidly changing systemic haemodynamics during a craniotomy. The device could be useful for investigating important haemodynamic changes in specific neurosurgical settings. Ali Z, Umamaheswara Rao GS, Jaganath A. Haemodynamic changes during craniotomy monitored by a bioimpedance plethysmographic noninvasive cardiac output monitor.     

Effects of fosinopril on blood pressure, lipid profile, and lipoprotein(a) levels in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria: An open-label, uncontrolled study

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus often have other cardiovascular risk factors, and alterations in lipid profile play an important role. The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are often used in these patients, particularly those with type 2 diabetes and proteinuria.Objective: This study evaluated the effects of fosinopril therapy on fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profile, and lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), levels in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria.Methods: Normotensive (systolic blood pressure [SBP] <130 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure [DBP] <85 mm Hg) patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria and a normal lipid profile were enrolled. Patients had their diabetes controlled by diet alone or diet plus oral hypoglycemic agents. Fosinopril 10 mg/d was administered for 6 months and then interrupted for 1 month. FPG, glycosylated hemoglobin, SBP, DBP, lipid profile (total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and triglycerides), Lp(a), albumin excretion rate (AER), and creatinine levels were evaluated at baseline; 1, 3, and 6 months after initiation of treatment; and 1 month after interruption of treatment.Results: A total of 120 patients were enrolled (63 men, 57 women; mean age ± SD, 54 ± 10 years; duration of diabetes, 7 ± 2 years). Significant decreases versus baseline were observed in the following parameters at month 6: SBP (122 ± 7 vs 117 ± 9.1 mm Hg, P < 0.01), DBP (80 ± 4.8 vs 74 ± 4.5 mm Hg, P < 0.05), TC (186 ± 11 vs 176 ± 10 mg/dL, P < 0.05), LDL-C (124 ± 10 vs 114 ± 11 mg/dL, P < 0.05), Lp(a) (24 ± 10 vs 19 ± 7.5 mg/dL, P < 0.05), and AER (103 ± 45 vs 48 ± 21 mg/24 hours, P < 0.01). When fosinopril therapy was interrupted for 1 month, the values for all these parameters tended to return to baseline values; SBP, TC, and Lp(a) values were significantly different from month 6 values, whereas DBP, LDL-C, and AER did not change significantly during the washout period.Conclusions: Fosinopril therapy for 6 months resulted in a reduction of microalbuminuria and an improvement in lipid profile and Lp(a) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. This suggests that fosinopril may improve lipid profile and reduce Lp(a) levels by lowering proteinuria or by other more direct actions on lipid and Lp(a) metabolism. Additional controlled studies are needed to confirm these results.     

高血压患者血压节律与血管活性物质相关性研究

目的观察高血压患者血压昼夜节律异常的病理生理变化特征,探讨高血压患者血管活性物质与血压昼夜节律的相关性。方法93例高血压患者进行动态血压监测和血栓素A2(TXA2)、前列环素(PGI2)、神经肽Y(NPY)、降钙素基因相关肽(CGRP)测定。结果93例高血压患者按动态血压监测结果分为杓型、非杓型组,在非杓型组中,TXA2、NPY明显增高(TXA2:P<0.01,NPY:P<0.05),PGI2,CGRP明显降低(P均<0.001);且夜间血压下降与TXA2、NPY呈负相关(TXA2:SBP:r=-0.254,P<0.05,DBP:r=-0.229,P<0.05;NPY:SBP:r=-0.277,P<0.01,DBP:r=-0.245,P<0.05),与PGI2,CGRP正相关(PGI2:SBP:r=0.302,P<0.005,DBP:r=0.324,P<0.005;CGRP:SBP:r=0.289,P<0.01,DBP:r=0.332,P<0.01)。多元线性回归分析:TXA2,PGI2,NPY与夜间收缩压下降直线相关(F=7.554,P<0.001),TXA2,PGI2,CGRP与夜间舒张压下降直线相关(F=7.242,P<0.001)。结论高血压患者TXA2,PGI2,NPY,CGRP可能参与血压昼夜节律的调节。     

Office and laboratory blood pressures as predictors of daily blood pressure level in normotensive subjects and borderline and mild hypertensive subjects

A series of standardized laboratory tests [10 min sitting and supine, 9 min standing, dynamic; cycle ergometer (ERG) and isometric exercise; handgrip (HG)] were performed during intra-arterial blood pressure (BP) recording in 97 healthy unmedicated men, initially classified as normotensive (NT, n = 34), borderline hypertensive (BHT, n = 29) or mildly hypertensive (HT, n = 34) by repeated office blood pressure (OBP) measurements. After testing, a 24-h intra-arterial ambulatory BP (IABP) recording was obtained while subjects performed their normal activities. Day and night periods were analysed as well as 24-h averages for systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) using Pearson correlations and multiple linear regressions. In normotensive subjects, the supine SBP predicted IABP measurements best (r range 0·39–0·69, P<0·05–0·001). In multiple regression, supine SBP explained 49% of 24-h SBP variance (F = 12·4, P = 0·001). For BHT, supine SBP was also the best predictor (r range 0·09–0·64, P NS to P<0·001), and it explained 37% of 24-h SBP variance (F = 15·6, P = 0·0005). In HT, ERG DBP correlated best with IABP (r range 0·52–0·75, P<0·01–0·001). ERG SBP explained 49% of 24-h SBP (F = 31·0, P = 0·0000) and ERG DBP explained 56% of 24-h DBP (F = 35·4, P = 0·0000) variance. Laboratory BP correlations were generally better with day than with night measurements. OSBP correlated moderately well with IABP in NT, and weakly in BHT and HT; ODBP instead correlated with IABP in NT and HT but not significantly in BHT. In conclusion, OBP is less closely related to IABP than laboratory BP, but even laboratory BP generally explains less than 50% of IABP variance. Stressors such as exercise are useful only in HT. For BHT, the prediction of IABP with laboratory measures was even weaker than in other groups, and thus ambulatory measurements cannot be replaced by short-duration laboratory measurements and stress tests.     

Isometric Exercise Training for Blood Pressure Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis quantifying the effects of isometric resistance training on the change in systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure in subclinical populations and to examine whether the magnitude of change in SBP and DBP was different with respect to blood pressure classification.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials lasting 4 or more weeks that investigated the effects of isometric exercise on blood pressure in healthy adults (aged ≥18 years) and were published in a peer-reviewed journal. PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for trials reported between January 1, 1966, and July 31, 2013. We included 9 randomized trials, 6 of which studied normotensive participants and 3 that studied hypertensive patients, that included a total of 223 participants (127 who underwent exercise training and 96 controls).ResultsThe following reductions were observed after isometric exercise training: SBP—mean difference (MD), −6.77 mm Hg (95% CI, −7.93 to −5.62 mm Hg; P<.001); DBP—MD, −3.96 mm Hg (95% CI, −4.80 to −3.12 mm Hg; P<.001); and mean arterial pressure—MD, −3.94 mm Hg (95% CI, −4.73 to −3.16 mm Hg; P<.001). A slight reduction in resting heart rate was also observed (MD, −0.79 beats/min; 95% CI, −1.23 to −0.36 beats/min; P=.003).ConclusionIsometric resistance training lowers SBP, DBP, and mean arterial pressure. The magnitude of effect is larger than that previously reported in dynamic aerobic or resistance training. Our data suggest that this form of training has the potential to produce significant and clinically meaningful blood pressure reductions and could serve as an adjunctive exercise modality.     

煤矿职业健康检查人群血清-谷氨酰转肽酶与血压、血脂、血糖相关性分析

目的 探讨肝功能指标血清-谷氨酰转肽酶（GGT）与代谢综合征（MS）的相关性。方法 选取邯郸地区2372名煤矿工人为研究对象,按血清GGT水平四分位数分为四组,以SPSS 17.0统计软件分析其血清GGT与收缩压（SBP）、舒张压（DBP）、空腹血糖（FPG）、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）、体重指数（BMI）之间的相关性。结果 血清GGT与年龄、SBP、DBP、TC、TG、HDL-C、FPG、BMI比较差异均有统计学意义（P0.001）,最低四分位组到最高四分位组,随着血清GGT水平的上升,SBP、DBP、TC、TG、FPG、BMI各指标水平升高,HDL-C水平降低。通过Pearson分析,研究对象的GGT水平与年龄、TG、TC、FPG、SBP、DBP、BMI等均呈显著正相关（r值分别为0.110、0.313、0.352、0.163、0.174、0.141、0.212）,与HDL-C呈负相关（P0.01）。多因素逐步回归分析后显示, TG、TC、FPG、SBP、血红蛋白（HGB）指标为该人群血清GGT危险因子（值分别为0.215、0.274、0.100、0.098、0.077）。结论 煤矿在岗工人血清GGT水平同MS组分血压、血脂、血糖呈显著相关,可为该人群MS的早期诊断提供一定的参考。     

Antihypertensive safety and efficacy and physician and patient satisfaction: results from a phase 4 practice-based clinical experience trial with diltiazem LA

This study was undertaken to assess the safety and efficacy of a new long-acting formulation of diltiazem (DLA) (Cardizem LA; Biovail Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bridgewater, NJ) in a large heterogeneous group of hypertensive patients, and to evaluate physician and patient treatment satisfaction. In this open-label, 30-day study, physicians enrolled patients with hypertension who were to be evaluated and treated at an initial visit and at 2 follow-up visits. Data recorded for each patient included demographic information, DLA dosing strength, blood pressure (BP) readings, and adverse events (AEs). A total of 15, 155 physicians completed the baseline questionnaire, and 9679 (64%) completed the final clinical evaluation questionnaire. In all, 139,965 patients with hypertension were enrolled. Initial and follow-up BP data were recorded for 50, 856 (36%) of these patients. On average, systolic BP (SBP) decreased from the initial visit by 10.9 mm Hg at the first follow-up (P < .0001) and by 15.5 mm Hg at the second follow-up (mean SBP, 135.7) (P < .0001). On average, diastolic BP (DBP) decreased by 6.7 mm Hg (P < .0001) and by 9.2 mm Hg (mean DBP, 79.4) (P < .0001), respectively. The most commonly reported AEs included edema, headache, dizziness, nausea, and rash; two thirds of these events were attributed to DLA. None of the AEs attributed to DLA was reported in more than 1 % of patients. Both physicians and patients expressed a high degree of satisfaction with DLA. Results from this large-scale, open-label study show that DLA was safe and produced clinically meaningful reductions in SBP and DBP; in addition, a moderate to high degree of physician and patient satisfaction was reported in a large and heterogeneous cohort of patients with hypertension.     

Blood Pressure Comparison in a Selected Native American and White Population

Abstract This study compared the frequency of blood pressure elevation in a selected Native American and white population. Three hundred individuals participated: 87 Native Americans, 210 whites, and 3 others. Data were gathered using a questionnaire that addressed residence, sex. age, race, occupation, height, smoking, alcohol use. tea/coffee consumption, medications, and past or present illness. Weight and blood pressure were measured by the researchers at the time of data collection. The sample mean for systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 124 mm Hg (SD 14.78) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was 77 mm Hg (SD 10.13). One-way analysis of variance showed age groups and sex to affect blood pressure significantly (P= 0.0001). Stepwise multiple regression indicated weight significantly predicted blood pressure (SBP multiple R = 0.39, P= 0.001; DBP multiple R = 0.43, P= 0.00001). The interaction of age, sex, tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine influenced SBP and DBP. Obviously, these findings have limited generalizeability due to the sampling frame used in this study.     

Association of blood pressure components with mortality and cardiovascular events in prehypertensive individuals: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Background: The effects of each blood pressure index [systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP)] on the occurrence of mortality and cardiovascular (CV) events have not yet been investigated in prehypertensive populations.

Methods: A total of 30,258 prehypertensive Korean participants underwent periodic health examination between 2003 and 2004 were enrolled, and the associations of BP components with mortality and CV events were investigated. Moreover, based on the DBP [80 ≤ DBP <90?mmHg (N?=?21,323) and DBP <80?mmHg (N?=?8,935)], the effects of BP components were also evaluated.

Results: Multivariate Cox analyses in prehypertensive group revealed that the hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.121 and 1.130 per 10?mmHg increase in SBP and PP for mortality, respectively. Additionally, 10?mmHg increase of SBP (HR:1.090) was still significantly, but increase of PP (HR:1.060) was marginally associated with higher incidence of CV events. However, there were no significant associations with increase in DBP or MAP on adverse clinical outcomes in prehypertensive group. In the prehypertensive subjects with DBP <80?mmHg, CV events more frequently occurred by 38.8% and 28.5% per 10?mmHg increase in SBP and PP, respectively.

Conclusions: Prehypertensive subjects might need to be cautioned when they have high SBP or PP with low DBP even in healthy populations.

• Key message

• Prehypertensive subjects should be cautioned when they have high-systolic blood pressure or pulse pressure with low-diastolic blood pressure, even without previous hypertension, diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease.

     

Deep learning-based automatic blood pressure measurement: evaluation of the effect of deep breathing,talking and arm movement

Abstract

Objectives: It is clinically important to evaluate the performance of a newly developed blood pressure (BP) measurement method under different measurement conditions. This study aims to evaluate the performance of using deep learning-based method to measure BPs and BP change under non-resting conditions.

Materials and methods: Forty healthy subjects were studied. Systolic and diastolic BPs (SBPs and DBPs) were measured under four conditions using deep learning and manual auscultatory method. The agreement between BPs determined by the two methods were analysed under different conditions. The performance of using deep learning-based method to measure BP changes was finally evaluated.

Results: There were no significant BPs differences between two methods under all measurement conditions (all p?>?.1). SBP and DBP measured by deep learning method changed significantly in comparison with the resting condition: decreased by 2.3 and 4.2?mmHg with deeper breathing (both p?<?.05), increased by 3.6 and 6.4?mmHg with talking, and increased by 5.9 and 5.8?mmHg with arm movement (all p?<?.05). There were no significant differences in BP changes measured by two methods (all p?>?.4, except for SBP change with deeper breathing).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the deep learning method could achieve accurate BP measurement under both resting and non-resting conditions.

• Key messages

• Accurate and reliable blood pressure measurement is clinically important. We evaluated the performance of our developed deep learning-based blood pressure measurement method under resting and non-resting measurement conditions.

• The deep learning-based method could achieve accurate BP measurement under both resting and non-resting measurement conditions.

     

Blood pressure-lowering effects of extended-release niacin alone and extended-release niacin/laropiprant combination: A post hoc analysis of a 24-week,placebo-controlled trial in dyslipidemic patients

Background: Dyslipidemia and high blood pressure are both major cardiovascular disease risk factors. Niacin is an effective lipid-altering agent that has been reported to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the more widespread use of niacin is limited, mainly due to the occurrence of flushing. Laropiprant (LRPT) is a selective antagonist of prostaglandin D₂ receptor subtype 1 that reduces extended-release niacin (ERN)-induced flushing without affecting its beneficial lipid effects. While the lipid effects of ERN are well known, the blood pressure effects are unclear.Objective: The aim of this analysis was to examine the blood pressure effects of ERN and ERN/LRPT.Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of a 24-week, worldwide, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel, Phase III, previously published study of dyslipidemic patients, which examined the effect of ERN and ERN/LRPT on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP).Results: A total of 1613 men and women, aged 21 to 85 years, with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia (66% on statins), were included in the original analysis. ERN alone, or in combination with LRPT, was associated with significant reductions in SBP and DBP at 24 weeks from baseline. The placebo-adjusted mean changes from baseline at week 24 in SBP were ?2.2 and ?3.1 mm Hg for the ERN and ERN/LRPT groups, respectively (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001). Similar changes in DBP were observed; ?2.7 and ?2.5 mm Hg in the ERN and ERN/ LRPT groups, respectively (both, P < 0.001).Conclusion: This post hoc analysis of a 24-week trial found that ERN alone, or in combination with LRPT, was associated with significant placebo-adjusted reductions from baseline in blood pressure in these hyperlipidemic hypertensive or normotensive subjects.     

Policosanol supplementation significantly improves blood pressure among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background and AimsPolicosanol contains a mixture of concentrated primary aliphatic alcohols extracted from sugar cane wax and is recognized as a cholesterol-lowering drug but previous studies reported that it could be helpful for reducing blood pressure as well. We aimed to systematically review all randomized control trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of policosanol supplementation for lowering high blood pressure.Methods and ResultsThe following databases were searched up to March 2019: PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science and the Cochrane library. Eligible RCTs were included if they investigate the effects of policosanol supplementation on systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure. Pooled effect size was measured using random effect model (DerSimmonon method). A total of nineteen studies with twenty-four arms were considered. Pooled effect size showed that SBP (WMD: −3.423 mmHg, 95% CI: −5.315, −1.531; p < 0.001) and DBP (WMD: −1.468 mmHg 95% CI: −2.632, −0.304, p = 0.013). decrease significantly after policosanol supplementation with significant heterogeneity among included studies (I² = 78.5% and 78.9% for SBP and DBP respectively). All subgroups showed a significant effect of policosanol supplementation except patients with mixed dyslipidemia for SBP and DBP and overweight subjects for DBP.ConclusionPolicosanol could lower SBP and DBP significantly; future long term studies are required to confirm these findings in the general population.     

血清超敏C反应蛋白、脂蛋白相关性磷脂酶A2与老年原发性高血压合并2型糖尿病的相关性

目的 探讨血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、脂蛋白相关性磷脂酶A₂(Lp-PLA₂)与老年原发性高血压(EH)合并2型糖尿病(T2DM)的相关性。方法 选取EH且年龄≥60岁患者128例为研究对象,根据是否合并T2DM分为单纯EH组(n=60)和EH+DM组(n=68),选择同期单纯T2DM患者为单纯DM组(n=63)及健康体检者为对照组(n=61),分析EH合并T2DM患者在不同高血压亚组空腹血糖(FPG)、糖化血红蛋白(HbA₁c)、hs-CRP、Lp-PLA₂的差异;分析hs-CRP、Lp-PLA₂不同亚组中FPG、HbA₁c、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)的差异,分析hs-CRP、Lp-PLA₂与HbA₁c、SBP、DBP的相关性。结果 EH+DM组、EH组、DM组低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、hs-CRP、Lp-PLA₂均高于对照组,而高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)低于对照组(均P<0.05),EH+DM患者随高血压级别的升高, FPG、HbA₁c、hs-CRP、Lp-PLA₂均升高(均P<0.05);随hs-CRP水平的升高,FPG、HbA₁c、SBP均升高(均P<0.05);随Lp-PLA₂水平升高,SBP、DBP均升高(均P<0.05); hs-CRP与HbA₁c、SBP、DBP呈正相关;Lp-PLA₂与HbA₁c、SBP、DBP呈正相关;同时HbA₁c与SBP、DBP呈正相关,在校正了年龄、性别、吸烟史、体质量指数(BMI)、三酰甘油(TG)后,hs-CRP、Lp-PLA₂水平升高是EH合并T2DM的危险因素(均P<0.05)。结论 hs-CRP、Lp-PLA₂水平高低在一定程度上可预测EH合并T2DM的严重程度,且hs-CRP、Lp-PLA₂是EH合并T2DM的危险因素,可以反应患者血压、血糖控制情况及高血压分级情况。     

Autonomic dysreflexia during urodynamic examinations in patients with suprasacral spinal cord injury

Huang Y-H, Bih L-I, Chen G-D, Lin C-C, Chen S-L, Chen W-W. Autonomic dysreflexia during urodynamic examinations in patients with suprasacral spinal cord injury.

Objective

To investigate blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) changes during urodynamic (UD) examinations in patients with suprasacral spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

A case control study.

Setting

Tertiary hospital affiliated with a medical university.

Patients

Control subjects (n=22) and patients with suprasacral SCI (n=120).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) and PR before and during UD studies.

Result

Healthy subjects had an average SBP change of 9.7±10.6mm Hg and a maximal SBP increase of 21mm Hg. Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) was defined as an SBP increase of 20mm Hg or more, and incidence rates were 36.7% overall, 42.6% in patients with injury level at or above T6, and 15.4% in patients with lesions below T6. Both SBP and DBP changes in patients with SCI showed significant negative correlations with injury levels (r=−.383 and −.315; P<.05). The BP increase was more significant in patients with SCI who had detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD), especially the continuous type, or severely impaired bladder compliance than in those who did not. Most patients (75%) had no significant PR changes (within 10beats/min) during AD responses and only 22.7% had a decrease of 10beats/min or more. Patients younger than 50 years had a greater PR decrease than those 50 years or older (−7.1±9.0 vs 0.7±11.4 beats/min; P<.05).

Conclusions

AD occurred not only in patients with lesions above T6, but also in those with lower lesion levels. Patients with higher injury level, continuous DSD, or a poorly compliant bladder had greater SBP changes during UD studies. During AD reactions, younger patients tended to have a greater PR decrease than older patients.     

Lp-PLA2在顽固性高血压患者中的表达及其临床意义

目的 探讨顽固性高血压(RH)患者血浆中脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2(Lp-PLA2)水平及其临床意义.方法 选择该院收治的120例RH患者为RH组,同时选择血压控制在正常范围内的120例原发性高血压患者为对照组;采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血浆Lp-PLA2水平,比较两组间的一般临床资料、Lp-PLA2水平及实验室生化指标,分析高...