Management of hypertension and factors affecting its control in Jordanian renal transplant recipients

Background Hypertension affects 70?C90?% of all kidney transplant recipients. It is associated with poor graft survival and is a contributing factor to the increased cardiovascular mortality. The reasons for the insufficient blood pressure control in transplanted patients have not been thoroughly investigated. Objective To evaluate the extent of blood pressure control in Jordanian hypertensive renal transplant recipients and to assess factors associated with such control. Setting Three outpatient renal transplant clinics in Amman. Method A cross-sectional observational study including 181 patients. We have considered blood pressure <130/80?mm?Hg as controlled hypertension. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine clinical factors associated with achievement of blood pressure control. Main outcome measures Proportion of patients who achieved hypertension control and clinical factors associated with good blood pressure control. Results Mean systolic blood pressure was 128.6?±?16.3?mm?Hg and mean diastolic blood pressure was 82.8?±?11.5?mm?Hg. Blood pressure control was achieved only in 58?% of patients. The most commonly prescribed antihypertensives were calcium channel blockers (58?%) followed by beta-blockers (44?%). In bivariate analysis, female gender (p?=?0.017) and creatinine clearance (p?=?0.002) were positively associated, while number of antihypertensive medications was inversely associated (p?=?0.04) with achievement of blood pressure control. After including these factors in multivariate logistic regression analysis, only creatinine clearance remained independently associated with hypertension control (odds ratio, OR 1.04; 95?% confidence interval [CI] 1.01?C1.06; p?=?0.003). Conclusion Blood pressure control among renal transplant recipients in Jordan was found to be inadequate. The only factor found to be independently associated with adequate blood pressure control was creatinine clearance.     

Cardiovascular complications of immunosuppressive agents in renal transplant recipients

Fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events are the most important cause of graft loss in patients with a functioning graft following transplantation. The available data indicate that transplant patients have a high prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and new onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation. The aetiology and pathogenesis of post-transplant hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes are multifactorial. In addition, disease of the native kidney and recurrence of renal disease can contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease in transplant recipients. Most transplant patients are at risk of clinically important drug-drug interactions involving immunosuppressive agents. Adverse reactions and drug-drug interactions should not be neglected when selecting an agent for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors in transplant recipients.     

肾移植术后高血压的药物治疗

目的：介绍肾移植术后高血压药物治疗的具体方法和治疗中需要注意的问题。方法：对肾移植术后高血压的病因学进行了分析，结合目前常用的各类别抗高血压药物的作用特点，针对移植后高血压的特殊病因和肾移植病人特殊的病理生理状况，提出肾移植术后高血压药物治疗的具体策略。结果：治疗中需要了解不同抗高血压药物的作用特点，并考虑其对移植物可能造成的不利影响。还要考虑这些药物与免疫抑制药物之间的潜在药物相互作用，对于肾移植术后的其他并发症，如糖尿病、高胆固醇血症、胰岛素耐受、缺血性心脏病等影响也必须加以考虑。结论：高血压是肾移植病人移植物功能衰竭、心血管发病和死亡的重要危险因素，需要针对不同病因和情况合理使用抗高血压药物。     

Do we need drug therapy to manage mild hypertension in the elderly?

Mild hypertension (grade 1 or stage 1 hypertension) is defined as a systolic blood pressure of 140-159 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure of 90-99 mm Hg. According to current guidelines, patients with mild hypertension can be at low, medium, high or very high risk depending on the presence of other risk factors, target organ damage and associated cardiovascular or renal conditions. Guidelines recommend prompt initiation of antihypertensive treatment in patients at very high risk because of associated clinical conditions and this recommendation is strongly supported by the literature. Also patients at high risk must be treated without much delay, but it should be mentioned that the evidence is stronger for patients who are at high risk because of diabetes mellitus, than for patients at high risk because of left ventricular hypertrophy or the accumulation of >or = 3 other risk factors. Patients at low and medium risk should be followed up and given advice on nonpharmacological measures and treatment should only be initiated in cases of persistently elevated blood pressure. However, this advice is based on indirect evidence and is currently not supported by randomised controlled trials. A survey on treatment of hypertension and implementation of World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) guidelines in primary care revealed that, respectively, only 20% and 33% of elderly men with mild hypertension at medium and high risk were treated with antihypertensive drugs and that this prevalence amounted to 67% in patients at very high risk; the prevalence was higher in patients with higher levels of blood pressure in each risk category.     

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus: risk reduction strategies in the elderly

New-onset diabetes mellitus in a previously non-diabetic transplant recipient is a serious adverse event that confers significant morbidity and mortality. The most significant consequences of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) in solid organ transplant recipients include decreased patient and graft survival, an increased risk of infectious complications, and morbid cardiovascular events. The development of PTDM in the elderly is of particular concern because this group is already at increased risk of progression of cardiovascular disease. Because the elderly, especially those aged >65 years, are the fastest-growing segment of the renal transplant population, attention needs to be given to PTDM risk reduction and post-transplant management. PTDM develops as a consequence of both impaired insulin production and enhanced peripheral insulin resistance. A number of non-modifiable factors such as age, race, family history, hepatitis C, polycystic kidney disease and emerging genetic causes have been identified as risk factors for PTDM. However, a number of modifiable factors can be targets for intervention in high-risk patients, including bodyweight (through dietary restriction and exercise), hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and the effects of certain immunosuppressive agents. The two agents most responsible for PTDM are tacrolimus and corticosteroids, especially when used in combination. Attempts to modify doses and regimens designed to eliminate or avoid these drugs should be considered. Use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors ('statins') and ACE inhibitors is particularly helpful in controlling hypertension and hyperlipidaemia in the elderly because these agents confer protection against future adverse cardiovascular events. Bisphosphonates are also advantageous in controlling the progression of osteoporosis and possible increased risk of bone fractures. Future trials in the elderly should focus on such endpoints as PTDM, post-transplant neoplasia, cardiovascular events and bone fracture events in order to identify the safest regimens that provide the optimal control of rejection while limiting the morbidity from these secondary events.     

Epidemiology of hypertension in the elderly.

Epidemiological studies confirm that hypertension, particularly systolic hypertension, is a major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factor in the elderly. Clinical trials convincingly demonstrate the benefits of treating both diastolic hypertension in persons up to age 80 years, and isolated systolic hypertension in persons over age 60. The European Working Party on Hypertension in the Elderly (EWPHE) trial showed that reducing elevated blood pressure resulted in a 27% reduction in overall cardiovascular mortality, as well as significant reductions in severe congestive heart failure, strokes and deaths from myocardial infarction. The Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) also reported a 36% reduction in the incidence of stroke and decreases in cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarctions, when hypertension was treated. Additional EWPHE data suggest that the optimal level of systolic blood pressure control is between 146 and 158mm Hg, while patients in the SHEP trial with isolated systolic hypertension derived benefits at an average treated systolic blood pressure of 143mm Hg. Elderly study populations comply well with antihypertensive treatment, and blood pressure can be safely lowered with simple drug regimens. Nonpharmacological treatment is recommended for initial treatment of mild diastolic hypertension and isolated systolic hypertension, and as adjuvant treatment with medication. Since all antihypertensive agents can lower blood pressure in the elderly, therapy should be chosen based on its potential for side effects, drug interactions and effects on concomitant disease states.     

Treating hypertension in women of child-bearing age and during pregnancy.

Hypertension is found among 1 to 6% of young women. Treatment aims to decrease cardiovascular risk, the magnitude of which is less dependent on the absolute level of blood pressure (BP) than on associated cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension-related target organ damage and/or concomitant disease. Lifestyle modifications are recommended for all hypertensive individuals. The threshold of BP at which antihypertensive therapy should be initiated is based on absolute cardiovascular risk. Most young women are at low risk and not in need of antihypertensive therapy. All antihypertensive agents appear to be equally efficacious; choice depends on personal preference, social circumstances and an agent's effect on cardiovascular risk factors, target organ damage and/or concomitant disease. Although most agents are appropriate for, and tolerated well by, young women, another consideration remains that of pregnancy, 50% of which are unplanned. A clinician must be aware of a woman's method of contraception and the potential of an antihypertensive agent to cause birth defects following inadvertent exposure in early pregnancy. Conversely, if an oral contraceptive is effective and well tolerated, but the woman's BP becomes mildly elevated, continuing the contraceptive and initiating antihypertensive treatment may not be contraindicated, especially if the ability to plan pregnancy is important (e.g. in type 1 diabetes mellitus). No commonly used antihypertensive is known to be teratogenic, although ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor antagonists should be discontinued, and any antihypertensive drugs should be continued in pregnancy only if anticipated benefits outweigh potential reproductive risk(s). The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate 5 to 10% of pregnancies and are a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Treatment aims to improve pregnancy outcome. There is consensus that severe maternal hypertension (systolic BP > or = 170mm Hg and/or diastolic BP > or = 110mm Hg) should be treated immediately to avoid maternal stroke, death and, possibly, eclampsia. Parenteral hydralazine may be associated with a higher risk of maternal hypotension, and intravenous labetalol with neonatal bradycardia. There is no consensus as to whether mild-to-moderate hypertension in pregnancy should be treated: the risks of transient severe hypertension, antenatal hospitalisation, proteinuria at delivery and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome may be decreased by therapy, but intrauterine fetal growth may also be impaired, particularly by atenolol. Methyldopa and other beta-blockers have been used most extensively. Reporting bias and the uncertainty of outcomes as defined warrant cautious interpretation of these findings and preclude treatment recommendations.     

Gout in solid organ transplantation: a challenging clinical problem

Hyperuricaemia occurs in 5-84% and gout in 1.7-28% of recipients of solid organ transplants. Gout may be severe and crippling, and may hinder the improved quality of life gained through organ transplantation. Risk factors for gout in the general population include hyperuricaemia, obesity, weight gain, hypertension and diuretic use. In transplant recipients, therapy with ciclosporin (cyclosporin) is an additional risk factor.Hyperuricaemia is recognised as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, whether anti-hyperuricaemic therapy reduces cardiovascular events remains to be determined.Dietary advice is important in the management of gout and patients should be educated to partake in a low-calorie diet with moderate carbohydrate restriction and increased proportional intake of protein and unsaturated fat. While gout is curable, its pharmacological management in transplant recipients is complicated by the risk of adverse effects and potentially severe interactions between immunosuppressive and hypouricaemic drugs. NSAIDs, colchicine and corticosteroids may be used to treat acute gouty attacks. NSAIDs have effects on renal haemodynamics, and must be used with caution and with close monitoring of renal function. Colchicine myotoxicty is of particular concern in transplant recipients with renal impairment or when used in combination with ciclosporin. Long-term urate-lowering therapy is required to promote dissolution of uric acid crystals, thereby preventing recurrent attacks of gout. Allopurinol should be used with caution because of its interaction with azathioprine, which results in bone marrow suppression. Substitution of mycophenylate mofetil for azathioprine avoids this interaction. Uricosuric agents, such as probenecid, are ineffective in patients with renal impairment. The exception is benzbromarone, which is effective in those with a creatinine clearance >25 mL/min. Benzbromarone is indicated in allopurinol-intolerant patients with renal failure, solid organ transplant or tophaceous/polyarticular gout. Monitoring for hepatotoxicty is essential for patients taking benzbromarone.Physicians should carefully consider therapeutic options for the management of hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, which are common in transplant recipients. While loop and thiazide diuretics increase serum urate, amlodipine and losartan have the same antihypertensive effect with the additional benefit of lowering serum urate. Atorvastatin, but not simvastatin, may lower uric acid, and while fenofibrate may reduce serum urate it has been associated with a decline in renal function.Gout in solid organ transplantation is an increasing and challenging clinical problem; it impacts adversely on patients' quality of life. Recognition and, if possible, alleviation of risk factors, prompt treatment of acute attacks and early introduction of hypouricaemic therapy with careful monitoring are the keys to successful management.     

Calcium Channel Antagonists in the Treatment of Hypertension

Calcium channel antagonists are widely used antihypertensive agents. Their popularity among primary care physicians is not only due to their blood pressure-lowering effects, but also because they appear to be effective regardless of the age or ethnic background of the patients. The first available calcium channel antagonists utilized immediate-release formulations which, although effective in patients with angina pectoris, were not approved by the US FDA for use in hypertension. When long-acting once-daily formulations were approved in this indication, the short-acting preparations — which had by then become generic and inexpensive — retained some residual unapproved use for hypertension. An observational case-controlled trial, based on such usage, noted that these agents were associated with a greater risk of myocardial infarctions than conventional agents such as diuretics and β-adrenoceptor antagonists. Further case-controlled trials showed, in fact, that the dangers of calcium channel antagonists were confined to the short-acting agents and that approved long-acting agents were at least as well tolerated and effective as other antihypertensive drugs. Cardiovascular outcomes during treatment with calcium channel antagonists have been examined in randomized, controlled trials. Compared with placebo, the calcium channel antagonists clearly prevented strokes and other cardiovascular events and reduced mortality. The effects of these agents on survival and clinical outcomes were similar to those with other antihypertensive drugs. There is a slight tendency for the calcium channel antagonists to be more effective than other drug types in preventing stroke, but slightly less effective in preventing coronary events. These observations extend to high-risk patients with hypertension including those with diabetes mellitus. Even so, patients with evidence of nephropathy should not receive monotherapy with calcium channel antagonists. Such patients are optimally treated with angiotensin receptor antagonists or ACE inhibitors, although addition of other drugs, including calcium channel antagonists, is often required to achieve the tight blood pressure control necessary to provide adequate renal protection. Calcium channel antagonists have a highly acceptable tolerability profile and careful reviews of available data have shown that their use is not associated with increased bleeding or promotion of tumor formation. It is now recognized that reduction of blood pressure in patients with hypertension to levels often <130/85mm Hg should be undertaken in presence of other cardiovascular risk factors or evidence of end organ damage. Because of this important concept, calcium channel antagonists, like the other antihypertensive drug classes, are progressively being prescribed less often as monotherapy, but more typically as part of combination regimens.     

常用降压药物的相互作用

高血压是心脑血管疾病的主要危险因素之一,安全和有效的控制血压是降低心脑血管疾病风险必不可少的措施。本文简单介绍了常用的5种降压药物（利尿剂、钙拮抗剂、β肾上腺素受体阻滞剂、血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂、血管紧张素Ⅱ受体阻滞剂）联合应用的原则,重点介绍这5种降压药物联合应用时可能产生的药物相互作用,以及与其它非降压药物联合应用时可能产生的药物相互作用。旨在引起临床关注联合治疗中药物的相互作用和对用药安全产生的影响。     

Current and future antihypertensive drugs in post-transplant hypertension and related patents

Hypertension is common in renal transplant recipients (RTR) and may contribute to the high incidence of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Its treatment is an important factor necessary to ensure long-term patient and allograft survival. Although all antihypertensive drugs are useful in RTRs, the most commonly used drugs are calcium-channel blockers and renin–angiotensin system inhibitors. This article briefly reviews traditional drugs together with new antihypertensive drugs under development, focusing on their possible advantages in RTRs. In addition, many patents reporting chemical processes and pharmaceutical formulations of these drugs are also summarised.     

Use of calcium channel antagonists for the treatment of hypertension in the elderly

Systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure increase continuously throughout adult life and the prevalence of arterial hypertension rises accordingly, reaching 53-78% among those aged 65-74 years. Estimates of the prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension in the elderly range from 34-65%, with more women than men affected. It has been shown that within all age groups a difference in usual systolic blood pressure of 20 mm Hg or a difference in usual diastolic blood pressure of 10 mm Hg is associated with an approximately 2-fold difference in the risk of dying from stroke or ischaemic heart disease. Intervention trials using predominantly diuretics and/or beta-adrenoceptor antagonists have proven the efficacy and tolerability of antihypertensive treatment in elderly patients. For many years there have been ongoing discussions about the safety of calcium channel antagonists, especially in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, according to a recently published large prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial with more than 33,000 patients enrolled, no indications for increased total mortality, cancer rate or gastrointestinal bleeding for participants on amlodipine, a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist, were found. With calcium channel antagonists, protective effects against cardiovascular disease have been proven in large trials with elderly patients, particularly against stroke. There is good evidence to suggest that calcium channel antagonists may be superior to other antihypertensive agents in diabetic patients with isolated systolic hypertension. These agents are well tolerated and probably delay the progression of dementia. The lack of adverse metabolic effects that, in the case of a diuretic-based regimen, may have important long-term implications concerning cardiovascular risk, make calcium channel antagonists an attractive choice when antihypertensive treatment decisions need to be made in a predominantly overweight or obese elderly population.     

血压、血脂、血糖及肾功能不同水平对老年高血压心血管事件的影响

目的 探讨血压、血脂、血糖及肾功能不同水平对老年高血压心血管事件的影响.方法 选取老年高血压患者448例,以血压(收缩压SBP 140 mm Hg,舒张压DBP 80 mm Hg,脉压PP 60 mm Hg)、血脂(总胆固醇TC 5构.72 mmol/L)、血糖(空腹血糖FPG 7.0 mmol/L)及肾功能(估算肾小球滤过率eGFR 60 ml·min-1·1.73-2)为界值分为低、高水平组.结果 2年随访期间统计冠心病事件52.90%(237/448),脑卒中事件24.11%(108/448),心血管死亡6.70%(30/448).高SBP、DBP、PP、TC、FPG组患者冠心病事件、脑卒中事件与心血管死亡发生率明显高于低SBP、DBP、PP、TC、FPG组(P<0.05),低eGFR组上述指标明显高于高eGFR组(P<0.05).结论 血压、血脂、血糖及肾功能不同水平与老年高血压心血管事件的发生具有紧密关系,控制上述指标于正常范围在改善疾病预后状况中具有重要的意义.     

Antihypertensive Drug Use in the Long-Term Care Facility: A Pilot Study and Review of the Literature

The overuse and cost of drugs in long-term care facilities are of significant concern. To quantify potential overuse of antihypertensive agents, we conducted a retrospective chart review in four long-term care facilities. We analyzed data in 550 patient records to identify residents receiving drugs for the sole indication of hypertension. Of the 550 records, 49 (9%) residents qualified. Of these, 20 (41%) had all recorded blood pressures less than 140/90 mm Hg for the 6 months before review, and 32 (65%) had all blood pressures less than 160/90 mm Hg. Given this degree of blood pressure control and the reported success of withdrawing antihypertensive drugs from the elderly in whom the disorder is well controlled, a reevaluation of antihypertensive therapy in residents of long-term care facilities appears to be justified.     

Effect of immunosuppressive agents on long-term survival of renal transplant recipients: focus on the cardiovascular risk

In the control of acute rejection, attention is being focused more and more on the long-term adverse effects of the immunosuppressive agents used. Since cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in renal transplant recipients, optimal control of cardiovascular risk factors is essential in the long-term management of these patients. Unfortunately, several commonly used immunosuppressive drugs interfere with the cardiovascular system. In this review, the cardiovascular adverse effects of the immunosuppressive agents currently used for maintenance immunosuppression are thoroughly discussed. Optimising immunosuppression means finding a balance between efficacy and safety. Corticosteroids induce endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes mellitus, and impair fibrinolysis. The use of corticosteroids in transplant recipients is undesirable, not only because of their cardiovascular effects, but also because they induce such adverse effects as osteoporosis, obesity, and atrophy of the skin and vessel wall. Calcineurin inhibitors are the most powerful agents for maintenance immunosuppression. The calcineurin inhibitor ciclosporin (cyclosporine) not only induces these same adverse effects as corticosteroids but is also nephrotoxic. Tacrolimus has a more favourable cardiovascular risk profile than ciclosporin and is also less nephrotoxic. It has little or no effect on blood pressure and serum lipids; however, its diabetogenic effect is more prominent in the period immediately following transplantation, although at maintenance dosages, the diabetogenic effect appears to be comparable to that of ciclosporin. The diabetogenic effect of tacrolimus can be managed by reducing the dose of tacrolimus and early corticosteroid withdrawal. The effect of tacrolimus on endothelial function has not been completely elucidated. The proliferation inhibitors azathioprine and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) have little effect on the cardiovascular system. Yet, indirectly, by inducing anaemia, they may lead to left ventricular hypertrophy. MMF is an attractive alternative to azathioprine because of its higher potency and possibly lower risk of malignancies. Sirolimus also induces anaemia, but may be promising because of its antiproliferative features. Whether the hyperlipidaemia induced by sirolimus counteracts its beneficial effects is, as yet, unknown. It may be combined with MMF, however, initial attempts resulted in severe mouth ulcers.     

Therapeutic strategies for hypertension treatment in patients with selected cardiovascular diseases

Patients with hypertension and concomitant cardiovascular (CVD) conditions are at high risk for developing deleterious CVD-related clinical sequelae. The selection of therapeutic strategies for hypertension management in patients with cardiovascular diseases is an important first step in normalizing blood pressure (BP) levels (<140/90 mmHg). The ultimate goal of BP normalization for this high-risk group of hypertensive patients is target-organ protection. This review will discuss the management of hypertension in patients with selected CVD conditions (congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, renal insufficiency/end-stage renal disease) and will incorporate both nondrug and drug therapies. Nondrug therapy, including weight reduction, physical activity, restriction of dietary sodium and alcohol intake are effective strategies for lowering BP. If these measures are not adequate, then the addition of drug therapy is needed in order to provide gradual BP normalization. Drug regimens may include a single antihypertensive agent with up-titration of the dose, or a combination of antihypertensive agents at a lower dose of each agent. The availability of different classes of antihypertensive agents enables therapeutics strategies to be implemented in the management of hypertension that provide maximum target-organ protection for each entity of CVD. Thus, aggressive hypertension management is crucial for delaying/preventing target organ damage and subsequent CVD clinical events.     

Discordant effects of beta-blockade on central aortic systolic and brachial systolic blood pressure: considerations beyond the cuff

The role of beta-blockers in uncomplicated hypertension has been challenged recently. Compared with other antihypertensives, beta-blockers are less effective for preventing cardiovascular events in patients with uncomplicated hypertension. Moreover, a recent meta-analysis of placebo-controlled clinical trials concluded that atenolol is not more efficacious than placebo for preventing cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension. Although these agents lower blood pressure measured conventionally over the brachial artery with a blood pressure cuff, they do not exert a commensurate effect on blood pressure in the central aorta. Central aortic blood pressure and aortic augmentation index are strong predictors of left ventricular hypertrophy, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. Emerging data are illuminating the antihypertensive paradox whereby antihypertensive agents may elicit discordant effects on central and peripheral blood pressure and hemodynamics. Vasodilatory antihypertensives, such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, elicit reductions in central aortic blood pressure equal to or greater than that in the brachial artery. Conversely, beta-blockers lower central aortic blood pressure to a lesser degree even when blood pressure measured by sphygmomanometry is reduced substantially. Given the strong relationship between central aortic blood pressure and target organ damage, the effectiveness of beta-blockers may be overestimated in practice on the basis of conventional blood pressure measurements alone. Differences in central and peripheral blood pressure may account for the lack of cardiovascular protection afforded by beta-blockers in clinical trials and could account for a portion of the apparent "benefit beyond blood pressure" reduction with other classes of antihypertensive agents. Future studies should aim to better clarify the role of central aortic blood pressure in the treatment of hypertension. In the meantime, the effects of antihypertensive drugs on blood pressure "beyond the brachial blood pressure cuff" should be considered when prescribing antihypertensive agents for a patient.     

Improved outcomes with antihypertensive medication in the elderly with isolated systolic hypertension

Isolated systolic hypertension affects over 15% of all individuals aged >60 years. In the elderly, systolic hypertension is a major modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is associated with higher risk of an adverse outcome, whereas diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is inversely correlated with total mortality, independent of SBP, highlighting the role of pulse pressure as a risk factor. Three placebo-controlled outcome trials on antihypertensive drug treatment in older patients with isolated systolic hypertension have been published: the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP), the Systolic Hypertension in Europe (Syst-Eur) Trial and the Systolic Hypertension in China (Syst-China) Trial. These 3 trials demonstrated the benefit of antihypertensive drug treatment. A meta-analysis was performed by pooling the patients from these 3 trials with a subset of patients with isolated systolic hypertension from 5 other trials in the elderly. The pooled results of 15,693 older patients with isolated systolic hypertension prove that antihypertensive drug treatment isjustified if on repeated clinic measurements SBP is 160 mm Hg or higher.     

Immunosuppressive strategies and management

<正>Advances in immunosuppressive therapy have significantly improved short-term allograft and patient survival.However,chronic allograft failure,antibody mediated rejection,recurrent diseases and immunosuppressive drug associated adverse effects remain serious barriers to long-term survival and quality of life.New immunosuppressive agents and protocols are being evaluated to combat these problems.Importantly, clinicians must work to manage post-transplant complications and avoid complex medication regimens,which will potentiate drug interactions and non-compliance.     

Hypertension management in diabetic patients

Hypertension and diabetes are becoming increasingly common. Clinical trials have demonstrated the importance of tight blood pressure control among patients with diabetes. However, little is known regarding the management of hypertension in patients with coexisting diabetes. Most patients with both disorders have a markedly worsened risk for premature micro vascular and macro vascular complications. The appropriate management of the hypertension seen in almost 70% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus remains controversial. However, over the past few years, many randomized, controlled trials have provided guidance for more effective therapy. These trials have established the need for a lower goal blood pressure (< 130/80 mm Hg) than has previously been recommended. To achieve therapy goals, multiple antihypertensive drugs are usually needed.