Pathogenesis of the essential hypertensions

Celiac ganglia neurolysis suppresses high blood pressure in rats

The efficacy of renal denervation in the treatment of resistant hypertension has been controversial, and new strategies for its therapy are urgently needed. We performed the celiac ganglia neurolysis (CGN) or sham surgery on both spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and Dahl salt-sensitive rat models of hypertension. Following CGN surgery in both strains, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were all lower than the levels in the respective sham surgery rats, which were maintained until the end of the study, 18 weeks postoperatively in SHRs and 12 weeks postoperatively in Dahl rats. CGN therapy destroyed ganglion cell structure and significantly inhibited celiac ganglia nerve viability. Four and twelve weeks after CGN, the plasma renin, angiotensin II and aldosterone levels were markedly attenuated, and the nitric oxide content was significantly increased in the CGN group compared with the respective sham surgery rats. However, CGN did not result in statistical difference in malondialdehyde levels compared with sham surgery in both strains. The CGN has efficacy in reducing high blood pressure and may be an alternative for resistant hypertension. Minimally invasive endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac ganglia neurolysis (EUS-CGN) and percutaneous CGN are safe and convenient treatment approaches. Moreover, for hypertensive patients who need surgery due to abdominal disease or pain relief from pancreatic cancer, intraoperative CGN or EUS-CGN will be a good choice for hypertension therapy. The graphical abstract of antihypertensive effect of CGN.

[Arterial hypertension frequency in urban and rural population of children]

The principle objective of this investigation was to establish the frequency and form of the arterial hypertension in children between 7 and 16 years in urban and rural population. Specific goals were to determine by screening method, i.e., by elimination, the arterial hypertension prevalence in relation to permanent residence (town-village), age and sex of children; to determine, by the same method, the prevalence of the essential and borderline arterial hypertension; to test the risk factors in patients with essential and borderline arterial hypertension: obesity, hereditary predisposition (relatives of the first and second line), lipids, and ten-year follow-up of children with essential arterial hypertension. The examination included 3000 children (age 7-16 years) during regular school days. Essential arterial hypertension in this study was defined as blood pressure continuously higher than 95th percentile for age and sex in at least three different measurements; secondary causes of hypertension were excluded by available clinical, laboratory and functional investigations. Borderline hypertension was defined as blood pressure continually higher than 90th percentile, and from time to time higher than 95th percentile for age and sex in at least three measurements, when the secondary causes of hypertension were excluded. The obtained results were the basis for the following conclusions: Prevalence of arterial hypertension for all children was 0.93% and was the lowest in children aged 7-8 years (0.83%), and the highest in chil dren aged 15-16 years (2.96%). Prevalence of the essential arterial hypertension was 0.37% and of borderline arterial hypertension 0.56%. Prevalence of the arterial hypertension was higher in urban than in rural population of children (1.09:0.55%), but without statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Hypertension was verified in 60.7% of family members of children with increased blood pressure. 21.4% of hypertensive children were overweight. Hyperlipidemia was noted in 4 children with essential hypertension. All children with arterial hypertension underwent 24-hours Holter monitoring. Patients with essential arterial hypertension had sinus tachycardia in 95% and patients with borderline hypertension in 60% (in stress and pressure).

Childhood hypertension. An update on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment

In the general population, an estimated 70% or more of premature morbidity can be attributed to tobacco use, undertreatment of hypertension, and obesity. From a public health perspective, health-related behaviors that reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease should be encouraged for all children and their families. Pediatricians are obligated to accurately and frequently monitor patients' blood pressures. When discovered, elevated blood pressure should be appropriately investigated, with the evaluation being tailored to the age of the child and to the severity of the blood pressure elevation. Investigation should focus on not only a search for a cause but also target organ effects. Timely recognition of abnormal blood pressure and appropriate interventions are necessary to affect the future development of cardiovascular and renal morbidity and mortality.