Significance of Mean Blood Pressure for Blood Pressure Control

Cardiovascular Acute Effects of Traditional vs. Paired Set Resistance Training in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis

Purpose: This study compared the acute effects of two different resistance training methods on heart rate variability, blood pressure, and rating of perceived exertion in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: Ten patients with Child-Pugh A (seven women and three men) participated in two experimental sessions, in random order: The traditional set condition consisted of three sets of six exercises performed in a sequential manner, while the paired set condition consisted of alternating sets between two exercises (three pairs of exercises). Ten repetitions were performed for each set with 70% of a 10 repetition maximum load and with 2 min rest between sets. Blood pressure and heart rate variability were assessed pre-workout and for 60 min post-workout. The rating of perceived exertion was assessed at the end of the third set for each exercise. Results: Significant alterations in heart rate variability were observed when considering the lowest value obtained during recovery, in which the SDNN was reduced in both the traditional set and paired set conditions, as well as the root mean square of standard deviation for the traditional set condition (p < .05). Additionally, for the paired set condition, there was a significant reduction in the HFnu band and a significant increase in the LFnu band (p < .05). Effect size showed reductions in diastolic and mean blood pressure until 30 min in a small magnitude for traditional sets. Conclusion: Similar cardiovascular responses were observed between methods eliciting normal physiological responses within safe limits for patients with liver cirrhosis.

Effectiveness of the direct renin inhibitor, aliskiren, in patients with resistant hypertension

Currently there is no consensus regarding which add-on therapy to use in resistant hypertension. We have conducted an open observational study of the use of aliskiren in resistant hypertensive patients. Forty-three patients with resistant hypertension were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) office blood pressure (BP) > 140/90 mmHg despite treatment with at least three or more antihypertensive drugs; 2) no prior therapy with aliskiren; and 3) no renal insufficiency. Follow-up BP was determined at 1 and 3 months. Baseline BP was 153 ± 12/79 ± 12 mmHg. After 3 months, systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) dropped significantly: 140 ± 19/73 ± 13 mmHg (P < 0.0001). Twenty-one patients (49%) had an office BP < 140/90 mmHg, and these patients were assigned to the good BP control group. Another 22 were placed into the poor BP control group. BP reductions from baseline in the good BP control group (SBP/ DBP: 19 ± 11/8 ± 7 mmHg) were larger than those in the poor BP control group (5 ± 15/3 ± 9 mmHg, P < 0.05). Mean BP (MBP) values at baseline, 1, and 3 months were higher in the poor BP control group. There was no significant difference in pulse pressure at baseline between the 2 groups. In multivariate analysis, only MBP at baseline correlated with lack of BP control. Aliskiren administration to resistant hypertensive patients was effective in reducing BP. The present findings suggest aliskiren may be useful as a fourth-line or fifth-line treatment added to other drugs in the treatment of resistant hypertension.

Ophthalmodynamometric pressure in eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy measured during pars plana vitrectomy

PURPOSE

To measure ophthalmodynamometric pressure (ODP) during vitrectomy in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

DESIGN

Prospective, interventional, consecutive case series.

METHODS

This study included 75 eyes of 75 patients undergoing vitrectomy for PDR. After core vitrectomy, the intraocular pressure was gradually raised using a vented-gas forced-infusion system (VGFI), and the optic nerve head was continuously monitored through a planoconvex contact lens. When the central retinal artery or its branches on the optic nerve head showed pulsations, the pressure was recorded as ODP. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were measured at the time of ODP measurement. Multiple regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between ODP and various explanatory variables: DBP, SBP, age, gender, body mass index, presence of hypertension, serum hemoglobin A1c, serum total cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, presence of rubeosis iridis, and severity of PDR.

RESULTS

ODP was 63.6 ± 11.5 mm Hg (range 15.5-84.4 mm Hg). The ODP significantly correlated with DBP (r=0.570, P<.0001) and the mean arterial blood pressure (r=0.522, P<.0001), but not with SBP (r=0.121, P=.303). Multiple regression analysis revealed that ODP had a significant correlation with DBP (P<.0001), presence of rubeosis iridis (P<.0001), and severity of PDR (P=.046).

CONCLUSIONS

We measured ODP using VGFI during vitrectomy in patients with PDR. The ODP was significantly associated with DBP. The ODP was lower in patients with rubeosis iridis and severe PDR.

Does CPAP treatment in mild obstructive sleep apnea affect blood pressure?

OBJECTIVES

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with significant cardiovascular (CV) morbidity. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for moderate to severe OSA, resulting in a reduction in CV morbidity. No studies have compared CV outcomes between CPAP and no CPAP in mild OSA (5>or=AHI<15).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of subjects (age>or=18) with mild OSA diagnosed between 2004 and 2006. Subjects with a history of hypertension, angina, stroke and smoking were excluded. Subjects were stratified into two groups: CPAP (n=93) or no CPAP (n=162). The mean blood pressures (MBP) were compared 2 years after the diagnosis of OSA was established.

RESULTS

Unmatched for covariates (age, sex, BMI, neck circumference, AHI, arousal index and family h/o CV disorders), subjects with mild OSA on CPAP had a 1.97 point reduction, and no CPAP resulted in a 9.61 point elevation (p<0.0001) in MBP. With propensity score matching for covariates, the mean difference in MBP was -1.97 (95% CI: -14.03, -9.92; p<0.0001) with a sensitivity analysis of 2.646.

CONCLUSION

This study shows an elevation of the MBP in mild OSA patients who were not treated with CPAP. CPAP treatment in mild OSA patients decreased the MBP over a 2-year period.

Significance of pulsatility of brachial artery pressure for blood pressure control

Few studies have examined predictors of poor blood pressure (BP) control. The aim of this study was to observe the relationship between the pulsatility of brachial artery pressure characterized as pulse pressure/diastolic pressure (PP/DP), suggesting aortic input impedance, and poor BP control. We obtained office BP measurements for 94 patients aged 40-75 years with either office systolic BP (SBP) >or= 140 mmHg or diastolic BP (DBP) >or= 90 mmHg. Patients were given a single antihypertensive agent or were untreated at baseline. The angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan (80 mg) was administered to all patients. Patients were treated with 1 to 2 antihypertensive drugs (valsartan only or valsartan + Ca antagonist) for 6 months to achieve an office BP of less than 140/90 mmHg. At follow-up, 32 patients were taking a single drug (valsartan) with good BP control, 24 were receiving two drugs with good BP control, and 38 were on two drugs with poor BP control. SBP and DBP at baseline were similar in the 3 groups. PP/DP at baseline differed in the 3 groups (P<0.01). In multivariate analysis, only PP/DP at baseline correlated with lack of BP control. The pulsatility of brachial artery pressure is associated with achieving adequate BP control.