Factors associated with non-treatment of hypertension and gender differences at baseline in the ELSA-Brasil cohort

The treatment of arterial hypertension (AH) contributes to the reduction of morbidity and mortality. Gender differences are likely to play a role, as non-treatment is associated with clinical and sociodemographic aspects. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with non-treatment of AH and gender differences in hypertensive individuals from the ELSA-Brasil cohort. The study was conducted with 5,743 baseline hypertensive cohort participants. AH was considered if there was a previous diagnosis or if systolic blood pressure (SBP) was ≥140 and/or diastolic BP (DBP) was ≥90 mmHg. Sociodemographic and anthropometric data, lifestyle, comorbidities, and use of antihypertensive medications were evaluated through interviews and in-person measurements. Treatment with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) or other antihypertensive medications and non-treatment were evaluated with multivariate logistic regression. Non-treatment was observed in 32.8% of hypertensive individuals. Of the 67.7% treated individuals, 41.1% received RAASi. Non-treatment was associated with alcohol consumption in women (OR=1.41; 95%CI: 1.15-1.73; P=0.001), lowest schooling level in men (OR=1.70; 95%CI: 1.32-2.19; P<0.001), and younger age groups in men and women (strongest association in males aged 35-44 years: OR=4.58, 95%CI: 3.17-6.6, P<0.001). Among those using RAASi, a higher proportion of white, older individuals, and with more comorbidities was observed. The high percentage of non-treatment, even in this civil servant population, indicated the need to improve the treatment cascade for AH. Public health policies should consider giving special attention to gender roles in groups at higher risk of non-treatment to reduce inequities related to AH in Brazil.

[Acute electrophysiologic and echocardiographic changes induced by xamoterol in chronic chagasic patients with sinus node dysfunction]

PURPOSE

To evaluate xamoterol (Corwin)--a partial beta-adrenergic receptor agonist--in long-term chagasic patients with symptomatic sinus node dysfunction previously treated with permanent atrial pacemaker.

METHODS

Ten patients with permanent AAI pacing were studied. Initially, in spontaneous rhythm (sinus rhythm due to inhibition of the pacemaker) and under atrial pacing with rate of 60, 80 and 100ppm with temporary external programming of the pulse generator were evaluated. Basic heart rate, maximal sinus node recovery time and the point at which Wenckebach AV block was achieved were recorded. After that, echocardiographic evaluation was performed to analyze the left ventricular performance with ejection fraction calculation and the percentage of the fractional shortening during spontaneous rhythm and under atrial pacing with rate of 60, 80 and 100ppm. This protocol was repeated after 5mg of intravenous xamoterol.

RESULTS

Five men and 5 women (mean age of 46) were studied. Xamoterol increased the basic heart rate, the rate at which the Wenckebach AV block was achieved and shortened the maximal sinus node recovery time (statistically significant) suggesting a beta-adrenergic agonist action of the drug. Left ventricular performance showed significant improvement only when the values in sinus rhythm (during inhibition of the pulse generator) were compared. Under atrial pacing, left ventricular function was consistently improved in all patients but with no significance.

CONCLUSION

Xamoterol showed to be a beta-adrenergic receptors agonist in long-term chagasic patients with sinus node dysfunction at rest, when the simpatic tone was low, with evident action on the electrophysiologic parameters.

[Regression of tachycardiomyopathy after implant of pacemaker with antitachycardial function]

A 27-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome complicated with refractory tachycardia and class III heart failure treated with pacemaker implantation was described. She had cardiomyopathy that could be due to lupus erythematosus or tachycardia-induced. Nonpharmacologic therapeutic alternative was used and a universal DDD pulse generator with selected programming was chosen. Twenty-four months follow-up showed tachycardia control and regression of symptoms of heart failure to class I as well as improvement of left ventricular function evaluated by echocardiographic method. Thus, pacemaker implant may be an useful alternative approach in patients with tachycardiomyopathy in whose other nonpharmacologic therapeutic options could not be performed.