Wearable blood pressure measurement devices and new approaches in hypertension management: the digital era

Out-of-office blood pressure (BP) measurement is considered an integral component of the diagnostic algorithm and management of hypertension. In the era of digitalization, a great deal of wearable BP measuring devices has been developed. These digital blood pressure monitors allow frequent BP measurements with minimal annoyance to the patient while they do promise radical changes regarding the diagnostic accuracy, as the importance of making an accurate diagnosis of hypertension has become evident. By increasing the number of BP measurements in different conditions, these monitors allow accurate identification of different clinical phenotypes, such as masked hypertension and pathological BP variability, that seem to have a negative impact on cardiovascular prognosis. Frequent measurements of BP and the incorporation of new features in BP variability, both enable well-rounded interpretation of BP data in the context of real-life settings. This article is a review of all different technologies and wearable BP monitoring devices.

Blood pressure response in exercise is associated with future cardiac structural alterations in hypertensive patients

Background/Introduction

Exaggerated blood pressure response (EBPR) during the exercise treadmill test (ETT) is often observed in individuals without known cardiovascular disease. Although it is generally considered as an abnormal response and a risk factor for hypertension development, its clinical significance remains controversial. On the other hand, regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is independently associated with improved cardiovascular outcome.

Purpose

In this study we aimed to investigate the role of EBPR during exercise in LVH regression in hypertensive subjects over time.

Methods

1413 hypertensive subjects, (mean age 57±11 years), 51% males, with baseline office blood pressure (BP) 144/89mmHg were followed for a mean period of 6.4±3.0 years. At baseline and last follow-up visit all patients underwent office BP, laboratory tests and echocardiographical determination of left ventricular mass index (LVMI). At baseline, all subjects underwent treadmill exercise testing (Bruce protocol) in order to identify the presence of EBPR based on the systolic BP elevation at peak exercise (> or =210 mmHg for men and > or =190 mmHg for women). Main outcome variable was LVH Regression/prevention (LVH Regr/prev), defined as: LVH at baseline visit with normal LVMI values at last visit or absence of LVH at baseline and last visit. BP control was considered optimal when the mean of office BP measurements during follow-up was <140/90mmHg.

Results

46% of study population presented LVH Regr/prev during follow-up period. Cox-regression analysis, after adjustment for clinical and biochemical variables, revealed that low levels of baseline LVMI (HR=0.98, 95% CI 0.97–0.99, p<0.0001), absence of EBPR (HR=0.81, 95% CI 0.67–0.98, p=0.02) and optimal BP control during follow-up (HR=1.19, 95% CI 1.01–1.56, p=0.03) were independent predictors of LVH Regr/prev during follow-up.

Conclusions

Beyond optimal BP control, EBPR is a significant predictor of left ventricular mass changes overtime. Hence, ETT can provide clinical relevant information, including EBPR, which may help in the improvement of risk stratification of hypertensive subjects.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Cardiovascular risk and outcome in patients with hypertensive emergencies and urgencies in an emergency department. an italian greek collaboration

Background

At present, few data are available on the prognosis of hypertensive emergencies and urgencies admitted to Emergency Departments (ED). The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence of total and cardiovascular events during follow-up in hypertensive patients admitted in 2 ED in Italy and Greece with hypertensive emergencies or urgencies.

Methods

Medical records of patients aged >18 yrs, admitted to the ED with blood pressure values ≥180 mmHg (SBP) and/or ≥120 mmHg (DBP) were collected and analysed (24% of patients were classified as “hypertensive emergency” and 76% as “hypertensive urgency”). Data in 1218 patients (556 men and 662 women, mean age 70±13 years) were analysed; the mean duration of follow-up after admission to the ED was 19.5±7 months years.

Results

During the follow-up cardiovascular events occurred in 148 patients (69 cardiac events, 43 cerebrovascular events). In 272 pts (22%) a new episode of acute BP rise was recorded. A total of 87 deaths was recorded during follow-up (in 28 patients for cardiovascular causes). All cause and CV mortality were greater in patients with a previous hypertensive emergency (14.7 vs 4.7%, chi-square p=0.0001 and 5.8 vs 1.2% chisquare p<0.0001 for all-cause and for CV mortality, respectively). The incidence of non fatal cardiovascular events was 10,11 and 2,11 per 100 patient-years in patients with hypertensive emergency and urgency, respectively and similar results were obtained when we considered separately the occurrence of cerebrovascular events.

Conclusions

Admission to the ED for hypertensive emergencies identifies hypertensive patients at increased risk for fatal and non fatal cardiovascular events. Our results underline the need for an accurate follow-up in patients with hypertensive emergencies and urgencies.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Prevalence, pattern and associated cardiovascular risk of t-wave inversion in hypertensive patients: a 5-year follow-up study

Background

Data on prevalence and associated prognosis of repolarization abnormalities among hypertensive patients are limited.

Purpose

We investigated the presence and extent of ST-segment and T-wave changes in a hypertensive population and their predictive ability for cardiovascular disease.

Methods

We studied 1851 white Caucasian hypertensive patients (age 58±12 years, 51%females) without a history of cardiovascular disease for a mean period of 5.3±3.4 years. At the baseline examination, all patients underwent standard 12-lead electrocardiography. T-wave inversion (TWI) was defined as T-wave deflection ≥−0.1 mV in ≥2 contiguous leads,unless associated with bundle branch block. Anterior, lateral or inferior TWI was defined as TWIin leads V2-V4 or V5,V6, I, AVL or II, aVF respectively. Thedepth in millimeters of TWI in each lead was recorded and the maximum depth per location was calculated. ST depression was defined as ≥1mm in depth in two or more contiguous leads.During follow-up, patients underwent clinic visits at least yearly for management of hypertension and risk factors. The outcome studied was theincidence of cardiovascular morbidity set as the composite of non-fatal coronary artery disease and stroke.

Results

In the entire population, prevalence of TWI was 3.8%, of which 39% presented withanterior TWI, 73% withlateral TWI and 11% with inferior TWI. ST depression was observed in 3.6% of patients (anterior in 0.8%, inferior in 0.9% and lateral in 2.6%). Incidence of the composite endpoint during follow-up was 4%. Cox regression analysis revealed that presence of TWI was associated with a significantly greater risk for cardiovascular events (HR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.1–5.9, p=0.025). The association was stronger for lateral TWI (HR: 3.3, 95%: CI: 1.34–8.30, p=0.01) compared to other locations. In multivariate models controlling for standard confounders these associations were overall sustained. Depth of TWI and presence of ST depression were not associated with cardiovascular risk.

Conclusions

Among hypertensive patients without cardiovascular disease, TWI is infrequent but significantly associated with future cardiovascular events.Lateral TWI carries the worse prognosis

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

P3409Comparison of the European Society of Hypertension stratification and European Society of Cardiology HeartScore for prediction of coronary artery disease and stroke in essential hypertension

Background/Introduction

For estimation of overall cardiovascular risk the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) proposes stratification according to blood pressure (BP), prevalence of risk factors, asymptomatic target organ damage, diabetes, kidney and symptomatic cardiovascular disease, while the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) HeartScore constitutes another potent predictive tool of adverse outcome.

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to compare the predictive role of ESH stratification and ESC HeartScore for the incidence of the composite end-point of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke in a cohort of essential hypertensive patients.

Methods

We followed up 2150 essential hypertensives (mean age 55.7 years, 1085 males, office BP=145/91 mmHg) for a mean period of 8 years. All subjects had at least one annual visit. Patients were divided based on the ESH risk categories as well as according to the ESC HeartScore. CAD was defined as the history of myocardial infarction or significant coronary artery stenosis revealed by angiography or coronary revascularization procedure. Stroke was defined as rapid onset of a new neurological deficit persisting at least 24 hours unless death supervened confirmed by imaging findings.

Results

The incidence of CAD, stroke and their composite over the follow-up period were 2.8% (n=60), 1.11% (n=24) and 3.9% (n=84), respectively. By using the ESH stratification, regarding the total population 15.3% (n=329) was of low and moderate risk, 54.4% (n=1170) was of moderate to high and high risk and 30.3% (n=651) was high to very high and very high risk. According to the ESC HeartScore 89.2% (n=1918) was of low to moderate risk, 10% (n=215) of high risk and 0.8% (n=17) of very high risk. Cox-regression analyses revealed that high to very high and very high ESH risk category was related to increased risk for the composite end-point of CAD and stroke (hazard ratio=4.5, p<0.0001), while focusing on the ESC Heart Score the composite end-point was predicted by the high risk category (hazard ratio=3.43, p<0.0001). Using the Akaike's information criterion the ESH risk model had better fit than the ESC HeartScore due to the lowest Akaike's values (1442.66 vs 1498.31, respectively).

Conclusions

In essential hypertensive patients categorization of patients by means of the ESH stratification and the ESC HeartScore are both predictive of future cardiovascular events. Based on our results, the ESH risk stratification constitutes a better prediction model for CAD and stroke than the ESC HeartScore in essential hypertension and its estimation is essential in order to improve overall risk assessment in this setting.

P5464Visit-to-visit glomerular filtration rate variability as a predictor for cardiovascular and renal outcomes in essential hypertension: Data from a Greek 8-year-follow-up study

Background/Introduction

Renal dysfunction is related with adverse prognosis in hypertension, however there are scarce data on the predictive cardiovascular and renal impact of kidney function variability in this setting.

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to assess the predictive role of visit-to-visit renal function changes on the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke and end-stage renal disease in a cohort of essential hypertensive patients.

Methods

We followed up 2380 essential hypertensives (mean age 58.9 years, 1240 males, office blood pressure (BP)=144/91 mmHg) free of cardiovascular disease for a mean period of 8 years. All subjects had at least one annual visit and blood sampling was performed in all visits for estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We calculated standard deviation (SD) of mean GFR from visits from 6 months onward in patients with ≥5 visits during follow-up. CAD was defined as the history of myocardial infarction or significant coronary artery stenosis revealed by angiography or coronary revascularization procedure, while stroke was defined as rapid onset of a new neurological deficit persisting at least 24 hours unless death supervened confirmed by imaging findings. End-stage renal disease was defined as GFR<15 mL/min/1.73 m2 or the need for long-term dialysis or transplantation.

Results

The incidence of CAD, stroke and end-stage renal disease over the follow-up period were 2.8% (n=68), 1.09% (n=26) and 0.6% (n=14). Hypertensives who developed CAD compared to those without CAD at follow-up (n=2312) had at baseline higher left ventricular mass index (115.7±24.6 vs 103.7±27.3 g/m2, p<0.0001), whereas there was no difference with respect to baseline GFR (78±19.6 vs 79.3±18.6 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p=0.573). In multivariate Cox regression models visit-to-visit glomerular filtration rate predicted end-stage renal disease (hazard ratio=1.758, p=0.01) but not CAD and stroke (p=NS for both). Baseline left ventricular mass index independently predicted CAD (hazard ratio=1.042, p=0.015) and stroke (hazard ratio=1.035, p=0.002).

Conclusions

In essential hypertensive patients GFR variability predicts future development of end-stage renal disease but exhibits no independent prognostic value for CAD and stroke. These results suggest that fluctuations of renal function are related with damage at the kidneys and not at the cardiac and cerebrovascular level.

P5466Exaggerated exercise blood pressure response is accompanied by increased sympathetic activity and arterial stiffness in subjects with high normal blood pressure

Background/Introduction

The clinical importance of a hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) in subjects with high normal blood pressure (BP) is not fully elucidated, while sympathetic overactivity and arterial stiffening are linked with adverse cardiovascular prognosis.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the relation of HRE with sympathetic drive as assessed by muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and arterial stiffness in subjects with high normal BP.

Methods

42 subjects with high normal office BP [defined as office systolic BP=130–139 mmHg and office diastolic BP=85–89 mmHg (age: 53±9 years, 29 males, office BP: 134/84 mmHg, 24-hour BP: 114/72 mmHg)] with a negative treadmill exercise test (Bruce protocol) were divided into those with HRE (n=12) (peak exercise systolic BP ≥210mmHg in men and ≥190 mmHg in women) and those without HRE (n=30). Arterial stiffness was evaluated on the basis of carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) values. In all participants sympathetic drive was assessed by MSNA estimations based on established methodology (microneurography).

Results

Subjects with a HRE compared to those without exhibited higher waist circumference (108.2±5.3 vs 94.7±9.2 cm, p=0.001) and were characterized by greater levels of carotid to femoral PWV (8.5±0.8 vs 7.0±0.9 m/sec, p<0.001) and sympathetic nerve traffic as reflected by MSNA levels (41.1±1.5 vs 32.1±1.9 bursts per 100 heart beats, p<0.001), while did not differ regarding metabolic profile and left ventricular mass index (p=NS). In the total population, peak exercise systolic BP was related to 24-h systolic BP (r=0.229, p<0.05), PWV (r=0.218, p=0.002), and MSNA (r=0.214, p<0.05). Moreover, MSNA was related to waist circumference (r=0.33, p=0.004) and office systolic BP levels (r=0.31, p<0.05) but there was no association with PWV values (p=NS).

Conclusion

In subjects with high normal BP, a HRE identifies a state of arterial stiffening and sympathetic overdrive, as reflected by increased PWV and MSNA levels respectively. These finding suggest that exercise testing provides additional clinical information regarding the vascular status and modulation of sympathetic tone in this setting.

P6577Isolated systolic hypertension versus combined systolic-diastolic hypertension as predictors of atrial fibrillation: data from a 8-year-follow-up study

Background/Introduction

Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and combined systolic-diastolic hypertension (CH) are related with increased cardiovascular risk.

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to compare the predictive role of ISH and CH for the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a cohort of essential hypertensive patients.

Methods

We followed up 1605 essential hypertensives with office systolic blood pressure (BP)≥140 mmHg [mean age 58.1 years, 842 males, office BP=153/92 mmHg] for a mean period of 8 years. All subjects had at least one annual visit and at baseline underwent echocardiographic study and blood sampling for estimation of metabolic profile. Patients with baseline ISH exhibited office systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and office diastolic BP <90 mmHg, while those with CH had office systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and office diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg. Moreover, new-onset AF was defined as hospitalization for AF or compatible electrocardiographic tracings.

Results

The incidence of new-onset AF over the follow-up period was 3.4% (n=55). Patients with ISH (n=510) compared to those with CH (n=1095) were older (65±10 vs 55±11 years, p<0.0001), had at baseline lower waist circumference (95.5±12 vs 98±12 cm, p<0.0001), office systolic BP (149±10 vs 155±13 mmHg, p<0.0001), office diastolic BP (80±5 vs 98±7 mmHg, p<0.0001), while did not differ regarding left ventricular mass index and lipid levels (p=NS for all). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that baseline ISH (hazard ratio=4.612, p=0.013) and CH (hazard ratio=1.794, p=0.036) predicted new-onset AF. However, in multivariate Cox regression model, age (hazard ratio=1.078, p<0.001), left ventricular mass index (hazard ratio 1.012, p=0.014), left atrium diameter (hazard ratio=1.102, p<0.001) and ISH (hazard ratio=1.551, p=0.035) but not CH turned out to be independent predictors of new-onset AF episodes.

Conclusions

In essential hypertensive patients, ISH but not CH exhibits independent prognostic value for AF. These findings support that ISH constitutes a hypertensive phenotype of particularly increased arrhythmia risk needing careful evaluation and treatment.

P5469Isolated systolic hypertension and combined systolic-diastolic hypertension for prediction of new-onset diabetes mellitus: Data from a 8-year-follow-up study

Background/Introduction

Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and combined systolic-diastolic hypertension (CH) are related with increased cardiovascular risk, while new-onset diabetes mellitus (NOD) is linked with atherosclerosis progression.

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to compare the predictive role of ISH and CH for the incidence of NOD in a cohort of essential hypertensive patients.

Methods

We followed up 1435 non-diabetic essential hypertensives with office systolic blood pressure (BP)≥140 mmHg [mean age 57 years, 730 males, office BP=153/92 mmHg] for a mean period of 8 years. All subjects had at least one annual visit and at baseline underwent echocardiographic study and blood sampling for estimation of metabolic profile. Patients with baseline ISH exhibited office systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and office diastolic BP <90 mmHg, while those with CH had office systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and office diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg. Moreover, NOD was defined if at one or more of the follow-up visits a previously non-diabetic patient reported being on insulin or an oral hypoglycemic drug or if casual plasma glucose concentration ≥200 mg/dl or fasting glucose concentration ≥126 mg/dl or 2-h post load glucose ≥200 mg/dl during an oral glucose tolerance test.

Results

The incidence of NOD over the follow-up period was 4.2% (n=60). Patients with ISH (n=460) compared to those with CH (n=975) were older (65±11 vs 54±10 years, p<0.0001), had at baseline lower waist circumference (94.5±11 vs 99±13 cm, p<0.0001), office systolic BP (149±12 vs 155±13 mmHg, p<0.0001), office diastolic BP (80±8 vs 98±6 mmHg, p<0.0001), while did not differ regarding left ventricular mass index, glucose and lipid levels (p=NS for all). Univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that baseline ISH (hazard ratio=2.143, p=0.016) and CH (hazard ratio=1.272, p=0.029) predicted NOD. However, in multivariate Cox regression model, age (hazard ratio=1.039, p<0.001), baseline glucose levels (hazard ratio 1.011, p=0.016), waist circumference (hazard ratio=1.067, p<0.001) and ISH (hazard ratio=1.651, p=0.029) but not CH turned out to be independent predictors of NOD.

Conclusions

In essential hypertensive patients, ISH but not CH exhibits independent prognostic value for NOD. These findings support that ISH constitutes a hypertensive phenotype of increased metabolic risk needing careful evaluation and treatment.

P6221Salt consumption as a predictor of cardiovascular events among hypertensive patients: a 5-year follow-up study

Background/Introduction

Salt intake is linked to hypertension but data on its association with incident cardiovascular events, especially among hypertensives, is limited.

Purpose

To examine the prospective association of different salt consumption levels with cardiovascular morbidity in a hypertensive population.

Methods

We followed 2130 hypertensive patients (age 57±12 years, 11.2% untreated) without a history of cardiovascular disease for a mean period of 5.3±3.3 years. At the baseline examination, salt intake was evaluated by a structured validated questionnaire. Accordingly, the study population was divided into three groups: hypertensives with a low (1079 patients, 51% of the population), a moderate (895 patients, 42%) and a high salt consumption (146 patients, 7%). During follow-up, patients underwent clinic visits at least yearly for management of hypertension and risk factors. The outcome studied was the composite of non-fatal cardiovascular events.

Results

The composite endpoint (19 strokes and 65 cases of coronary artery disease) occurred in 84 patients (3.9%). At baseline, increasing salt consumption was significantly associated with age, body mass index, office blood pressure and renal function. Unadjusted Cox regression analysis showed that, compared to the reference group, the risk for cardiovascular morbidity was similar in patients with moderate salt consumption (HR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.71–1.77) but significantly higher in patients with high salt consumption (HR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.09–4.38). This pattern was clearly sustained after adjusting for multiple risk factors including baseline blood pressure levels.

Conclusions

Among hypertensive patients, heavy salt consumption is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, while moderate consumption does not affect patient outcome.

P5459Comparison of the predictive role of changes in left ventricular mass and arterial stiffness for coronary artery disease in essential hypertension: Data from a 8-year-follow-up study

Background/Introduction

Although arterial stiffening is related to atherosclerosis progression, its prognostic role in hypertension is not fully elucidated, while augmented left ventricular mass index (LVMI) is linked to adverse outcome.

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to compare the predictive role of changes in arterial stiffness and LVMI for the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in a cohort of essential hypertensive patients.

Methods

We followed up 1082 essential hypertensives (mean age 55.9 years, 562 males, office blood pressure (BP)=145/91 mmHg) free of cardiovascular disease for a mean period of 8 years. All subjects had at least one annual visit and at baseline and last visit underwent complete echocardiographic study for estimation of LVMI and measurements of arterial stiffness on the basis of carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), by means of a computerized method. The distribution of PWV was split by the median (8.2 m/sec) and accordingly subjects were classified into those with high (n=546) and low values (n=536). Moreover, LV hypertrophy (LVH) was defined as LVMI ≥125 g/m2 in males and LVMI ≥110 g/m2 in females, while CAD was defined as the history of myocardial infarction or significant coronary artery stenosis revealed by angiography or coronary revascularization procedure.

Results

The incidence of CAD over the follow-up period was 3.5%. Hypertensives who developed CAD (n=38) compared to those without CAD at follow-up (n=1044) had at baseline higher waist circumference (101.7±10.1 vs 96.2±11.6 cm, p=0.004), LVMI (123.9±22.1 vs 105.8±21.3 g/m2, p=0.026), prevalence of LVH (46% vs 25%, p=0.018) and prevalence of high PWV levels (67% vs 40%, p=0.021). No difference was observed between hypertensives with CAD and those without CAD with respect to baseline office BP, serum creatinine and lipid levels (p=NS for all). By univariate Cox regression analysis, it was revealed that changes in PWV levels between baseline and last visit predicted CAD (hazard ratio=1.243, p=0.014). However, in multivariate Cox regression model baseline glomerular filtration rate (hazard ratio=1.029, p=0.015) and changes in LVMI (hazard ratio=1.036, p<0.0001) but not alterations of PWV turned out to be independent predictors of CAD.

Conclusions

In essential hypertensive patients changes in LVMI predict future development of CAD, whereas PWV alterations exhibit no independent prognostic value. These findings support that LVMI constitutes a superior prognosticator of events than PWV and its estimation is essential in order to improve overall risk stratification in hypertension.

P805Changes in arterial stiffness independently predict stroke in patients with essential hypertension: Data from a 8-year-follow-up study

Background/Introduction

Although arterial stiffening is related to atherosclerosis progression, the prognostic role of its alterations in cerebrovascular events in hypertension is not fully elucidated.

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to assess the predictive role of changes inarterial stiffness for the incidence of stroke in a cohort of essential hypertensive patients.

Methods

We followed up 1082 essential hypertensives (mean age 55.9 years, 562 males, office blood pressure (BP)=145/91 mmHg) for a mean period of 8 years. All subjects had at least one annual visit and underwent blood sampling for assessment of metabolic profile, whilearterial stiffness was evaluated on the basis of carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), by means of a computerized method at the initial and last visit. The distribution of baseline PWV was split by the median (8.2 m/sec) and accordingly subjects were classified into those with high (n=546) and low values (n=536). Stroke was defined as rapid onset of a new neurological deficit persisting at least 24 hours unless death supervened confirmed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography and/or cerebrovascular angiography findings.

Results

The incidence of stroke over the follow-up period was 2.2%. Hypertensives who had stroke (n=24) compared to those without stroke at follow-up (n=1058) were older at baseline (65±9 vs 56±12 years, p=0.032), had higher office BP levels (155±13 vs 145±15mmHg, p=0.014) and prevalence of high PWV levels (67% vs 40%, p=0.021). No difference was observed between hypertensives with stroke and those without stroke with respect to baseline renal function and lipid levels (p=NS for all). By univariate Cox regression analysis it was revealed that changes in PWV levels between baseline and last visit predicted stroke (hazard ratio=1.352, p=0.004). Moreover, in multivariate Cox regression model, baseline age (hazard ratio=1.087, p=0.03), changes in PWV (hazard ratio=1.115, p=0.024) but not changes in office BP levels turned out to be independent predictors of stroke.

Conclusions

In essential hypertensive patients, changes in PWV predict future development of stroke, independently of established confounders, including BP. These findings support that PWV constitutes a potent prognosticator of cerebrovascular events and its estimation is essential in order to improve risk stratification in hypertension.

P5468Systolic versus diastolic blood pressure as predictors of cardiovascular events among treated hypertensive patients: a 6-year prospective study

Background/Introduction

There has been a long debate regarding the association of systolic versus diastolic blood pressure with cardiovascular outcome and data regarding hypertensive patients under treatment have been conflicting.

Purpose

To investigate the association of different patterns of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) among treated hypertensive patients.

Methods

We prospectively studied 1507 treated hypertensive patients (age 59±11 years) that are followed in the setting of a single-center, clinic-based registry. During follow-up, patients underwent regular visits for hypertension and risk factor management. Based on the cut-off limits for uncontrolled hypertension of office systolic BP≥140mmHg and diastolic BP≥90mmHg, study participants were divided into four groups: those with controlled hypertension (796 patients, 53% of the population), uncontrolled systolic BP (257 patients, 17%), uncontrolled diastolic BP (135 patients, 9%) and uncontrolled systolic and diastolic BP (319 patients, 21%). The outcome studied was the composite of cardiovascular morbidity set as coronary artery disease and stroke, and the controlled hypertension group served as reference.

Results

The median follow-up period was 6.4±3.0 years and the composite endpoint (13 strokes and 41 cases of coronary artery disease) occurred in 54 patients (3.6%). Unadjusted Cox regression analysis showed that, compared to the reference group of controlled hypertensives, the risk for cardiovascular morbidity was similar in patients with uncontrolled diastolic BP (HR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.26–2.97) but significantly higher in patients with uncontrolled systolic BP (HR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.08–4.36), while patients with both uncontrolled systolic and diastolic BP showed the worse prognosis (HR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.24–4.43). This pattern of risk was overall sustained after adjusting for different sets of confounders.

Conclusions

Among treated hypertensive patients, uncontrolled systolic BP is associated with a greater risk for cardiovascular events compared to uncontrolled diastolic BP while uncontrolled systolodiastolic hypertension presents with the worse prognosis.

The origin of Cretan populations as determined by characterization of HLA alleles

The Cretan HLA gene profile has been compared with those of other Mediterranean populations in order to provide additional information regarding the history of their origins. The allele frequencies, genetic distances between populations, relatedness dendrograms and correspondence analyses were calculated. Our results indicate that the Indoeuropean Greeks may be considered as a Mediterranean population of a more recent origin (after 2000 B.C.), while all other studied Mediterraneans (including Cretans) belong to an older substratum which was present in the area since pre-Neolithic times. A significant Turkish gene flow has not been detected in the Greek or Cretan populations, although Greeks and Turks have two high frequency HLA-DRB-DQB haplotypes in common. It is proposed that Imazighen (Caucasoid Berbers living at present in the North African coast and Saharan areas) are the remains of pre-Neolithic Saharan populations which could emigrate northwards between about 8000-6000 B.C., when desert desiccation began. They also could be part of the stock that gave rise to Sumerians, Cretans and Iberians; this is supported by both linguistic and HLA genetic data.

Characterization of interleukin 2 receptors on B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells

The expression and function of IL-2R chains expressed on B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells were analyzed. IL-2R alpha was expressed in 31 out of 34 studied cases; in 17 cases more than 50% of the cells were positive whereas in three cases the proportion of IL-2R alpha+ cells was less than 10%. In two patients, 6 and 13% of the cells were IL-2R beta+, in six other cases only 2-3% of the B-CLL cells could be stained with the TU-27 moAb whereas in all other cases no positive cells could be detected. Equilibrium binding experiments using 125I-rIL2 revealed high (seven out of 15 studied cases), intermediate (four out of 15 cases) and low (five out of 15 cases) affinity IL-2R. The number of high and intermediate affinity IL-2R was low (range: 145-800 and 40-2800 binding sites/cells, respectively). In all cases investigated, both IL-2R alpha and IL-2R beta chain mRNA could be detected, although their quantity was variable from patient to patient. Exogenous recombinant IL-2 induced, in a dose-response manner, cell proliferation in ten out of 23 cases and this effect was independent of the expression of IL-2R alpha; however, only cells expressing high affinity IL-2R could respond to exogenous rIL-2. Moreover, anti-IL-2R alpha moAb could inhibit both spontaneous (in three out of five cases) and IL-2-induced (in five out of five cases) B-CLL cell proliferation. These findings demonstrate that in a subgroup of B-CLL, leukemic cells are dependent on the IL-2/IL-2R system whereas in another group, although cells expressed functional IL-2 binding sites, they could not respond to the mitogenic signal of IL-2.