Short-Term but not Long-Term Blood Pressure Variability Is a Predictor of Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Young Untreated Hypertensives

Short-Term Variability of Both Brachial and Aortic Blood Pressure is Increased in Patients with Immune-mediated Chronic Inflammation

INTRODUCTION

Blood pressure (BP) variability (BPV) has emerged as an indicator of subclinical organ damage and an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality in high-risk populations.

AIM

We aimed to assess short-term variability of both brachial and aortic BP in psoriasis, a common immune-mediated inflammatory disorder characterized by increased CVD risk.

METHODS

Psoriasis patients and non-psoriasis individuals had their BP assessed throughout a 24 h period (Mobil-O-Graph device). Brachial and aortic BPV during the 24 h and the respective daytime and nighttime periods was calculated from relevant ambulatory BP profiles. In-house software was applied to automatically calculate average real variability (ARV) of brachial and aortic systolic (bSBP, aSBP) and diastolic BP (bDPB, aDBP), and the weighted standard deviation (wSD) of 24 h bSBP/aSBP. 24 h pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) were used as widely applied markers of arterial stiffness.

RESULTS

Psoriasis patients (n = 74) presented increased ARV of 24 h and daytime bSBP/aSBP, and increased ARV of 24 h and daytime bDBP/aDBP, compared to controls (n = 40). PWV and AIx correlated with ARV of 24 h bSBP/aSBP, daytime bSBP/aSBP, while PWV further correlated with ARV of nighttime aSBP. The observed associations with PWV, yet not AIx, with indices of BPV remained significant after adjusting for CVD risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study reporting increased 24 h variability of both brachial and aortic BP in psoriasis. The association of short-term BPV with arterial stiffness implies a potential role of BPV in terms of CVD risk stratification in patients with chronic immune-mediated inflammation.

Relationship between 24 h blood pressure variability and mortality in acute myocardial infarction patients

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the mortality of patients with AMI has not declined significantly. The relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is unclear. We explored the relationship between 24-h BPV and mortality in patients with AMI.

HYPOTHESIS

The mortality of patients with AMI is related to BPV. We hope to provide therapeutic ideas for reducing the risk of death in patients with AMI.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study. We extracted and analyzed data from the MIMIC-IV 2.0, which was established in 1999 under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health (America). The average real variability (ARV) was calculated for the first 24-h blood pressure measurement after patients with AMI were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were divided into four groups according to ARV quartiles. The outcomes were 30-day, 1-year, and 3-year all-cause mortalities. Data were analyzed using Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier curves, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves.

RESULTS

We enrolled 1291 patients with AMI, including 475 female. The patients were divided into four groups according to the qualities of diastolic blood pressure (DBP)-ARV. There were significant differences in the 30-day, 1-year and 3-year mortality among the four groups (p = .02, p < .001, p < .001, respectively). After adjustment for confounding factors, systolic blood pressure (SBP)-ARV could not predict AMI patient mortality (p > .05), while the highest DBP-ARV was associated strongly with increased 30-day mortality (HR: 2.291, 95% CI 1.260-4.168), 1-year mortality (HR: 1.933, 95% CI 1.316-2.840) and 3-year mortality (HR: 1.743, 95% CI 1.235-2.461). Kaplan-Meier curves demonstrated that, regardless of SBP or DBP, the long-term survival probabilities of patients in the highest ARV group were significantly lower than that of those in other groups. RCS curves showed that the death risk of patients with AMI first decreased and then increased with the increase in ARV when DBP-ARV < 8.04. The 30-day death risk first increased and then decreased, and the 1-year and 3-year death risks increased and then stabilized with ARV increase when DBP-ARV > 8.04.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that patients with AMI may have an increased risk of short- and long-term death if their DBP-ARV is higher or lower during the first 24-h in ICU.

Short-term Blood Pressure Variability and Incident CKD in Patients With Hypertension: Findings From the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center-High Risk (CMERC-HI) Study

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

The association between short-term blood pressure variability (BPV) and kidney outcomes is poorly understood. This study evaluated the association between short-term BPV and kidney disease outcomes in people with hypertension.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective observational cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

1,173 hypertensive participants in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center-High Risk (2013-2018) Study with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60mL/min/1.73m².

EXPOSURE

Short-term BPV assessed by average real variability (ARV).

OUTCOME

Composite kidney disease outcome (30% decline in eGFR from baseline, new occurrence of eGFR <60mL/min/1.73m², or onset of UACR >300mg/g).

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Multivariable Cox regression analyses to evaluate the association between systolic and diastolic BP ARV (SBP-ARV and DBP-ARV) and outcomes.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 5.4 [4.1-6.5] years, 271 events of the composite kidney disease outcome occurred (46.5 per 1,000 person-years). Multivariable Cox analysis revealed that the highest SBP-ARV and DBP-ARV tertiles were associated with a higher risk of the composite kidney disease outcome than the lowest tertiles, independent of the 24-hour SBP or DBP levels (HR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.16-2.33], and 1.60 [95% CI, 1.15-2.24] for SBP-ARV and DBP-ARV, respectively). These associations were consistent when SBP-ARV and DBP-ARV were treated as continuous variables (HR per 1.0-unit greater SBP-ARV, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01-1.06]; HR per 1.0-unit greater DBP-ARV, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01-1.08]). These associations were consistent, irrespective of subgroups (age, sex, 24-hour SBP or DBP, and moderate albuminuria). However, other measures of short-term BPV including SD, coefficient of variation, and dipping patterns were not associated with the composite kidney disease outcome.

LIMITATIONS

Observational study design, the use of single measurement of 24-hour BP, lack of information on changes in antihypertensive medication during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term BPV is associated with the development of a composite kidney disease outcome in hypertensive patients.

Blood pressure variability: methodological aspects, clinical relevance and practical indications for management - a European Society of Hypertension position paper ∗

Blood pressure is not a static parameter, but rather undergoes continuous fluctuations over time, as a result of the interaction between environmental and behavioural factors on one side and intrinsic cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms on the other side. Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) may indicate an impaired cardiovascular regulation and may represent a cardiovascular risk factor itself, having been associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, end-stage renal disease, and dementia incidence. Nonetheless, BPV was considered only a research issue in previous hypertension management guidelines, because the available evidence on its clinical relevance presents several gaps and is based on heterogeneous studies with limited standardization of methods for BPV assessment. The aim of this position paper, with contributions from members of the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring and Cardiovascular Variability and from a number of international experts, is to summarize the available evidence in the field of BPV assessment methodology and clinical applications and to provide practical indications on how to measure and interpret BPV in research and clinical settings based on currently available data. Pending issues and clinical and methodological recommendations supported by available evidence are also reported. The information provided by this paper should contribute to a better standardization of future studies on BPV, but should also provide clinicians with some indications on how BPV can be managed based on currently available data.

Association of disrupted sleep with 24-hour blood pressure variability in caregivers

BACKGROUND

A growing body of research highlights the negative impact of caregiving on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine associations of psychological symptoms and sleep quality with 24-hour blood pressure variability (BPV), which is an independent predictor of CVD, among family caregivers of community-dwelling individuals with chronic illness.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, we assessed caregiving burden and depressive symptoms using questionnaires and 7-day sleep quality (i.e., number of awakenings, wake after sleep onset, sleep efficiency) using an actigraph. The participants carried out a 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring for systolic and diastolic BPV over 24 h and during awake/sleep times. We performed Pearson's correlations and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The analytic sample consisted of 30 caregivers (25 female; mean age 62 years). The number of awakenings during sleep was positively correlated with systolic BPV-awake (r = 0.426, p = 0.019) and diastolic BPV-awake (r = 0.422, p = 0.020). Sleep efficiency was negatively correlated with diastolic BPV-awake (r = -0.368, p = 0.045). Caregiving burden and depressive symptoms were not correlated with BPV. After controlling for age and mean arterial pressure, the number of awakenings was significantly associated with increased systolic BPV-24 h (β = 0.194, p = 0.018) and systolic BPV-awake (β = 0.280, p = 0.002), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers' disrupted sleep may play a role in increased CVD risk. While these findings should be confirmed in large clinical studies, improving sleep quality would need to be considered in CVD prevention for caregivers.

Midlife Blood Pressure Variability and Risk of All-Cause Mortality and Cardiovascular Events During Extended Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Studies demonstrate an association between visit-to-visit blood pressure variability (BPV) and cardiovascular events and death. We aimed to determine the long-term cardiovascular and mortality effects of BPV in midlife in participants with and without cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

This is a post-hoc analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in the Community study. Long-term BPV was derived utilizing mean systolic blood pressure at Visits 1-4 (Visit 1: 1987-1989, Visit 2: 1990-1992, Visit 3: 1993-1995, Visit 4: 1996-1998). The primary outcome was mortality from Visit 4 to 2016 and secondary outcome was cardiovascular events (fatal coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, cardiac procedure, or stroke). We fit Cox proportional hazards models and also performed the analysis in a subgroup of cardiovascular disease-free patients without prior stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, hypertension, or diabetes.

RESULTS

We included 9,578 participants. The mean age at the beginning of follow-up was 62.9 ± 5.7 years, and mean follow-up was 14.2 ± 4.5 years. During follow-up, 3,712 (38.8%) participants died and 1,721 (n = 8,771, 19.6%) had cardiovascular events. For every SD higher in systolic residual SD (range 0-60.5 mm Hg, SD = 5.6 mm Hg), the hazard ratio for death was 1.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.12) and for cardiovascular events was 1.00 (95% CI 0.95-1.05). In cardiovascular disease-free participants (n = 4,452), the corresponding hazard ratio for death was 1.12 (95% CI 1.03-1.21) and for cardiovascular events was 1.01 (95% CI 0.89-1.14).

CONCLUSION

Long-term BPV during midlife is an independent predictor of later life mortality but not cardiovascular events.

Recent Advances in Atherosclerotic Disease Screening Using Pervasive Healthcare

Atherosclerosis screening helps the medical model transform from therapeutic medicine to preventive medicine by assessing degree of atherosclerosis prior to the occurrence of fatal vascular events. Pervasive screening emphasizes atherosclerotic monitoring with easy access, quick process, and advanced computing. In this work, we introduced five cutting-edge pervasive technologies including imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG), laser Doppler, radio frequency (RF), thermal imaging (TI), optical fiber sensing and piezoelectric sensor. IPPG measures physiological parameters by using video images that record the subtle skin color changes consistent with cardiac-synchronous blood volume changes in subcutaneous arteries and capillaries. Laser Doppler obtained the information on blood flow by analyzing the spectral components of backscattered light from the illuminated tissues surface. RF is based on Doppler shift caused by the periodic movement of the chest wall induced by respiration and heartbeat. TI measures vital signs by detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by blood flow. The working principle of optical fiber sensor is to detect the change of light properties caused by the interaction between the measured physiological parameter and the entering light. Piezoelectric sensors are based on the piezoelectric effect of dielectrics. All these pervasive technologies are noninvasive, mobile, and can detect physiological parameters related to atherosclerosis screening.

The HARVEST. Looking for optimal management of young people with stage 1 hypertension

In the last few decades there has been much debate about the management of low-risk stage 1 hypertension in youth. In this article, we review the main findings of the HARVEST cohort accrued over 30 years, highlighting the contribution of this study to the existing literature. Tachycardia and sympathetic overdrive were closely intertwined in our HARVEST participants, promoting the development of sustained hypertension, metabolic abnormalities, and increased susceptibility to vascular complications. Short-term blood pressure variability in this age group had a prognostic power even greater than that of average 24h blood pressure. In the HARVEST participants, changes in left ventricular anatomy and contractility were the earliest signs of hypertensive cardiac involvement, whereas left ventricular filling was only marginally affected. Our results highlighted the role of glomerular hyperfiltration in determining microalbuminuria and renal damage in the early stage of hypertension. The genetic approach provided an important contribution to risk stratification and patient management. The HARVEST confirmed the importance of maintaining a good lifestyle for preventing the onset of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular events. Isolated systolic hypertension in the first decades of life appeared as a heterogeneous condition. To establish whether antihypertensive drug treatment should be started in this condition the clinician should consider the individual cardiovascular risk profile, the level of office mean BP and central BP. Despite recent progress in our knowledge, systolic hypertension still represents a challenging issue for the clinician. Hopefully, the HARVEST will continue to contribute data that help to fill the present gaps in evidence.

Blood pressure variability and target organ damage regression in hypertension

The study by Triantafyllidi et al. supports the view that regression of subclinical cardiac damage requires an effective 24‐hour blood pressure (BP) control along with a reduction in BP variability and suggests that the assessment of BPV and its modifications during the course of therapy may be an useful approach in predicting the beneficial effects of treatment on cardiac structure. However, some aspects and limitations of this study require caution in drawing firm conclusions. So, further investigation is needed to determine if reduction of BPV is actually associated with a regression in cardiac and extracardiac organ damage to identify which which classes of antihypertensive drugs are most effective in reducing BPV, and to elucidate whether those treatments provide additional clinical benefit, independent of the conventional BP targets.