Obstructive sleep apnea and hypertension-mediated organ damage in nonresistant and resistant hypertension

The potential role of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) may be influenced by the presence of resistant hypertension (RH). Herein, we enrolled patients with hypertension from a tertiary center for clinical evaluation and performed a sleep study to identify OSA (apnea-hypopnea index ≥15 events/h) and a blinded analysis of four standard HMOD parameters (left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH], increased arterial stiffness [≥10 m/s], presence of retinopathy, and nephropathy). RH was diagnosed based on uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) (≥140/90 mmHg) despite concurrent use of at least three antihypertensive drug classes or controlled BP with concurrent use of ≥4 antihypertensive drug classes at optimal doses. To avoid the white-coat effect, ambulatory BP monitoring was performed to confirm RH diagnosis. One-hundred patients were included in the analysis (mean age: 54 ± 8 years, 65% females, body mass index: 30.4 ± 4.5 kg/m²). OSA was detected in 52% of patients. Among patients with non-RH (n = 53), the presence of OSA (52.8%) was not associated with an increased frequency of HMOD. Conversely, among patients with RH, OSA (51.1%) was associated with a higher incidence of LVH (RH-OSA,61%; RH + OSA,87%; p = 0.049). Logistic regression analysis using the total sample revealed that RH (OR:7.89; 95% CI:2.18-28.52; p = 0.002), systolic BP (OR:1.04; 95% CI:1.00-1.07; p = 0.042) and OSA (OR:4.31; 95% CI:1.14-16.34; p = 0.032) were independently associated with LVH. No significant association was observed between OSA and arterial stiffness, retinopathy, or nephropathy. In conclusion, OSA is independently associated with LVH in RH, suggesting a potential role of OSA in RH prognosis.

Directly observed therapy for resistant/refractory hypertension diagnosis and blood pressure control

OBJECTIVE

To test the impact of directly observed therapy (DOT) at hospital for checking not only adherence/diagnosis in patients with resistant (RHTN) and refractory (RefHTN) hypertension but also blood pressure (BP) control after hospital discharge.

METHODS

During 2 years, Brazilian patients with clinical suspicion of RHTN/RefHTN after several attempts (≥3) to control BP in the outpatient setting were invited to perform DOT (including low-sodium diet and supervised medications intake) at the hospital. RHTN and RefHTN were categorised using standard definitions. After hospital discharge, we evaluated the BP values and the number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed by physicians who were not involved with the investigation.

RESULTS

We studied 83 patients clinically suspected for RHTN (31%) and RefHTN (69%) (mean age: 53 years; 76% female; systolic BP 177±28 mm Hg and diastolic BP 106±21 mm Hg; number of antihypertensive drugs: 5.3±1.3). DOT confirmed RHTN in 77%, whereas RefHTN was confirmed in only 32.5%. The number of antihypertensive drugs reduced to 4.5±1.3 and systolic/diastolic BP at hospital discharge reduced to 131±17 mm Hg/80±12 mm Hg. After hospital discharge, systolic BP remained significantly lower than the last outpatient visit prehospital admission (delta changes (95% CI): 1 month: -25.7 (-33.8 to -17.6) mm Hg; 7 months: -27.3 (-35.5 to -19.1) mm Hg) despite fewer number of antihypertensive classes (1 month: -1.01 (-1.36 to -0.67); 7 months: -0.77 (-1.11 to -0.42)). Similar reductions were observed for diastolic BP.

CONCLUSIONS

DOT at hospital is helpful not only in confirming/excluding RHTN/RefHTN phenotypes, but also in improving BP values and BP control and in reducing the need for antihypertensive drugs after hospital discharge.

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on blood pressure in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and uncontrolled hypertension - Study design and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

To describe the MORPHEOS (Morbidity in patients with uncontrolled HTN and OSA) trial, and describe the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

MORPHEOS is a multicenter (n=6) randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the blood pressure (BP) lowering effects of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or placebo (nasal strips) for 6 months in adult patients with uncontrolled hypertension (HTN) and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients using at least one antihypertensive medication were included. Uncontrolled HTN was confirmed by at least one abnormal parameter in the 24-hour ABPM and ≥80% medication adherence evaluated by pill counting after the run-in period. OSA was defined by an apnea-hypopnea index ≥15 events/hours. The co-primary endpoints are brachial BP (office and ambulatory BP monitoring, ABPM) and central BP. Secondary outcomes include hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) to heart, aorta, eye, and kidney. We pre-specified several sub-studies from this investigation. Visits occur once a week in the first month and once a month thereafter. The programmed sample size was 176 patients but the pandemic prevented this final target. A post-hoc power analysis will be calculated from the final sample. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02270658.

RESULTS

The first 100 patients are predominantly males (n=69), age: 52±10 years, body mass index: 32.7±3.9 kg/m2 with frequent co-morbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

The MORPHEOS trial has a unique study design including a run-in period; pill counting, and detailed analysis of hypertension-mediated organ damage in patients with uncontrolled HTN that will allow clarification of the impact of OSA treatment with CPAP.

Blood Pressure Increase in Hypertensive Individuals During Resistance Training Protocols With Equated Work to Rest Ratio

Introduction: Despite growing evidence regarding the benefits of resistance training in hypertension, the large and abrupt rise of systolic blood pressure (SBP) observed during resistance exercise execution has resulted in concern about its safety. However, the manipulation of the resistance training protocol (RTP) organization, maintaining the work to rest ratio equated between protocols (W:R-equated), may reduce the SBP increase.

Purpose: To compare cardiovascular responses during two W:R-equated RTPs (3 × 15:88 s vs. 9 × 5:22 s – sets × reps: rest between sets) performed in exercises for the lower and upper limbs.

Methods: Twelve medicated hypertensives (48 ± 8 years) randomly performed two RTPs in the bilateral leg extension (BLE) and unilateral elbow flexion (UEF) exercises at 50% 1RM. Increases (Δ) of SBP, heart rate (HR) and rate pressure product (RPP) during the exercises were measured by photoplethysmography.

Results: In both BLE and UEF exercises, Δ SBP was significantly greater during 3 × 15:88 s than 9 × 5:22 s (peak values: BLE = + 84 ± 39 vs. + 67 ± 20 mm Hg, and UEF = + 46 ± 25 vs. + 37 ± 18 mm Hg, respectively, both p < 0.05). ΔHR and ΔRPP were significantly higher in the 3 × 15:88 s than 9 × 5:22 s in BLE (peak values + 45 ± 17 vs. + 30 ± 8 bpm, and + 15,559 ± 5570 vs. + 10,483 ± 2614 mm Hg. bpm).

Conclusion: In medicated hypertensives, a RTP combining more sets with less repetitions per set and shorter rest intervals between sets (i.e., 9 × 5:22 s) produced a smaller increase in cardiovascular load (ΔSBP, ΔHR and ΔRPP) during its execution than a protocol with fewer longer sets (i.e., 3 × 15:88 s).

SAT-560 Usefulness of Contralateral Suppression in Adrenal Venous Sampling to Define Lateralization in Primary Aldosteronism

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension. PA subtypes include bilateral hyperplasia and unilateral PA, typically aldosterone-producing adenomas. Adrenal venous (AV) sampling (AVS) is a key step to define PA subtype and guide PA management. According current PA guidelines, most PA patients should undergo AVS, which is a challenging procedure, especially in terms of successfully cannulating the right AV. The aim of this study was to report a single tertiary center experience with AVS in PA patients. We retrospectively evaluated 84 AVS from 1984 to 2019. Sequential AVS was performed by an experienced interventional radiologist. AV and inferior vena cava (IVC) samples were obtained under cosyntropin continuous infusion. Successful catheterization was defined by a selectivity index [SI= AV/IVC cortisol (C) concentrations] ≥5. Unilateral disease was defined by a lateralization index [LI= aldosterone (A)/C ratio in the dominant AV divided by A/C in the non-dominant AV] ≥4. The relative aldosterone secretion index (RASI= A/C ratio in AV divided by A/C in IVC) was calculated in each side. A RASI <1 was defined as contralateral suppression (CS). In patients with unsuccessful AV catheterization (mostly right AV) or undetermined LI (3-4), CS was used to indicate adrenalectomy. The biochemical cure of PA after adrenalectomy was defined as the gold standard parameter to confirm unilateral disease. Successful bilateral AV catheterization was achieved in 75% of the cases. After 2015, the use of intra-procedural rapid cortisol assay improved angiographer experience and increased AVS successful rate from 52 to 80%. LI revealed unilateral and bilateral aldosterone excess in 68 and 32% of the cases, respectively. A LI ≥4 had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 98% to define unilateral PA among patients with successful catheterization. In addition, RASI in the non-dominant AV was significantly lower in unilateral PA according the LI when compared to bilateral cases [0.12 (0.03 to 1.18) vs. 1.1 (0.04 to 4.56), p= 0.0001]. RASI in the non-dominant AV was inversely correlated with LI (r= -0.81, p= 0.0001). A CS index ≤0.5 had a high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (94%) to define unilateral aldosterone excess. In conclusion, the LI is the most valuable parameter in AVS for PA subtyping. Additionally, CS (cut-off of 0.5) is very useful to define lateralization and can be used in cases of borderline LI or unsuccessful AV catheterization.CAPES Grant to Freitas TC.

KCNJ5 Somatic Mutation Is a Predictor of Hypertension Remission After Adrenalectomy for Unilateral Primary Aldosteronism

CONTEXT

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of endocrine hypertension (HT). HT remission (defined as blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg without antihypertensive drugs) has been reported in approximately 50% of patients with unilateral PA after adrenalectomy. HT duration and severity are predictors of blood pressure response, but the prognostic role of somatic KCNJ5 mutations is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To determine clinical and molecular features associated with HT remission after adrenalectomy in patients with unilateral PA.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 100 patients with PA (60 women; median age at diagnosis 48 years with a median follow-up of 26 months). Anatomopathological analysis revealed 90 aldosterone-producing adenomas, 1 carcinoma, and 9 unilateral adrenal hyperplasias. All patients had biochemical cure after unilateral adrenalectomy. KCNJ5 gene was sequenced in 76 cases.

RESULTS

KCNJ5 mutations were identified in 33 of 76 (43.4%) tumors: p.Gly151Arg (n = 17), p.Leu168Arg (n = 15), and p.Glu145Gln (n = 1). HT remission was reported in 37 of 100 (37%) patients. Among patients with HT remission, 73% were women (P = 0.04), 48.6% used more than three antihypertensive medications (P = 0.0001), and 64.9% had HT duration <10 years (P = 0.0015) compared with those without HT remission. Somatic KCNJ5 mutations were associated with female sex (P = 0.004), larger nodules (P = 0.001), and HT remission (P = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, only a somatic KCNJ5 mutation was an independent predictor of HT remission after adrenalectomy (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

The presence of a KCNJ5 somatic mutation is an independent predictor of HT remission after unilateral adrenalectomy in patients with unilateral PA.

Use of Low Temperature Storage to Preserve Host and Parasitoid to Improve the Rearing of Telenomus podisi (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on Euschistus heros (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Eggs

Successful parasitoid rearing is crucial for augmentative biological control. A low temperature preservation protocol allowing the availability of host and parasitoid year-round was evaluated in this study in four bioassays: (1) host eggs [Euschistus heros (Fabricius)] stored at - 196, - 80, and - 20°C for up to 70 days prior to exposure to Telenomus podisi Ashmead parasitism; (2) Euschistus heros eggs removed from storage at - 196°C after 70 days and kept at 5°C for up to 9 days prior to exposure to T. podisi parasitism; (3) Telenomus podisi adult emergence of insects stored as pupae at 5°C; and (4) fitness of adults of T. podisi stored at 5°C. Higher parasitism was observed in parasitoids reared on E. heros eggs stored at - 196 and - 80°C. Host eggs removed from - 196°C and stored at 5°C for up to 6 days did not impact T. podisi parasitism and development. Storage of T. podisi pupae for more than 7 days negatively affected parasitoid biology. Storing T. podisi adults at 5°C for up to 6 days does not alter the biological parameters of the parasitoid. Thus, parasitoids can be stored as pupae or adults as well as its host E. heros eggs. Our findings can be applied to improve the feasibility of year-round insect production.

Development and reproduction of Spodoptera eridania (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its egg parasitoid Telenomus remus (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on the genetically modified soybean (Bt) MON 87701×MON 89788

Genetically modified crops with insect resistance genes from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt-plants) are increasingly being cultivated worldwide. Therefore, it is critical to improve our knowledge of their direct or indirect impact not only on target pests but also on non-target arthropods. Hence, this study evaluates comparative leaf consumption and performance of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer), a species that is tolerant of the Cry1Ac protein, fed with Bt soybean, MON 87701×MON 89788 or its near [corrected] non-Bt isoline. Using this species as a model, we assessed [corrected] the comparative performance of the egg parasitoid Telenomus remus Nixon on eggs of S. eridania produced from individuals that fed on these two soybean genotypes [corrected] as larvae. Results showed that Bt soybean did not affect pest foliage consumption, but did reduce larvel duration by two days despite larvae in both treatments having six instars. Nevertheless, survival of S. eridania larvae, pupal weight, sex ratio, fecundity and longevity of female moths, and egg viability did not differ between Bt and non-Bt soybeans. Adult longevity of S. eridania males was increased when caterpillars were fed with Bt soybean versus the near isoline. No adverse effects of this technology were observed for the egg parasitoid T. remus. [corrected].

"Wireless" laser recanalization of chronic total coronary occlusions

Chronic total occlusions in particular, completely obstructed aorto-ostial lesions are among the most challenging targets in interventional cardiology. Excimer laser is a debulking technology for revascularization of complex lesions. Treatment of total occlusions with laser angioplasty can be applied providing that a guidewire traverses the entire length of the occlusion prior to device activation. In many patients with total occlusions, a guidewire is unable to penetrate the target stenosis. This communication presents a new technique termed "wireless" laser recanalization. This approach entails recanalization of a total occlusion with a laser catheter without a leading guidewire.

Left ventricular electromechanical mapping: a case study of functional assessment in coronary intervention

Electromechanical mapping is a new diagnostic tool that can be used to identify viable myocardium. In the case reported here, the technique was used before intervention to map areas of viable myocardium; post-intervention mapping showed improved mechanical function of the revascularized areas. Electromechanical mapping offers the potential of assessing left ventricular function in the cardiac catheterization laboratory before and after interventional procedures.