Clinic Versus Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Resistant Hypertension: Impact of Antihypertensive Medication Nonadherence

Clinic-ambulatory blood pressure (BP) difference is influenced by patients- and device-related factors and inadequate clinic-BP measurement. We investigated whether nonadherence to antihypertensive medications may also influence this difference in a post hoc analysis of the DENERHTN trial (Renal Denervation for Hypertension). We pooled the data of 77 out of 106 evaluable patients with apparent resistant hypertension who received a standardized antihypertensive treatment and had both ambulatory BP and drug-screening results available at baseline after 1 month of standardized triple therapy and at 6 months on a median of 5 antihypertensive drugs. After drug assay samplings on study visits, patients took their antihypertensive treatment under supervision immediately after the start of the ambulatory BP recording, and supine clinic BP was measured 24 hours post-dosing; both allowed to calculate the clinic minus daytime ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) difference (clinic-SBP–day-SBP). A total of 29 (37.7%) were found nonadherent to medications at baseline and 38 (49.4%) at 6 months. At baseline, the mean clinic-SBP–day-SBP difference in the nonadherent group was 12.7 mm Hg (95% CI, 7.8–17.7 mm Hg, P <0.001). In contrast, clinic SBP was almost identical to day-SBP in the adherent group (clinic-SBP–day-SBP difference, 0.1 mm Hg; 95% CI, −3.3 to 3.5 mm Hg; P =0.947). Similar observations were made at 6 months. Using receiver operating characteristics curves, we found that a 6 mm Hg cutoff of clinic-SBP–day-SBP difference had 67% sensitivity and 69% specificity to predict nonadherence to the triple therapy at baseline. In conclusion, a large clinic-SBP–day-SBP difference may help discriminating between adherence and nonadherence to treatment in patients with resistant hypertension.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: NCT01570777.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Reduces Night-Time Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Resistant Hypertension: The RHOOSAS Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective

Most patients with resistant hypertension (RH) have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). We aimed to determine the impact of OSA and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on the leptin profile and blood pressure (BP) in patients with RH.

Methods

After an initial case-control study (RH with and without OSA), we performed a randomized, single blind study in OSA + RH patients receiving either sham CPAP (3 months) followed by active CPAP (6 months) or 6 months of active CPAP. The primary outcome was the comparison of leptin levels between groups of RH patients with or without OSA. Secondary outcomes were the comparison of metabolic parameters, biomarkers of sympathetic activity, and BP indices between the two groups of RH patients with or without OSA. The same outcomes were then evaluated and compared before and after sham and effective CPAP intervention.

Results

Sixty-two patients (60 ± 10 years; 77% men) with RH (24-h daytime systolic BP (SBP)/diastolic BP: 145 ± 13/85 ± 10 mmHg, 3.7 antihypertensive drugs) were included. The 37 RH patients exhibiting OSA (60%) were predominantly men (87 vs 64% for non-OSA patients), with a greater prevalence of metabolic syndrome and higher creatininemia. Their leptin concentrations were significantly lower than in non-OSA patients [9 (6; 15) vs 17 (6; 29) ng/mL] but increased after 6 months of CPAP. Three months of effective CPAP significantly decreased night-time SBP by 6.4 mmHg and heart rate (HR) by 6.0 bpm, compared to sham CPAP.

Conclusion

The association between OSA and RH corresponds to a specific, predominately male phenotype with a higher burden of metabolic syndrome and higher creatininemia but there was no significant difference between OSA and non-OSA patients regarding BP indices, and the number of antihypertensive drugs used. Active CPAP could be efficient at decreasing night-time BP and HR, but there was no difference between CPAP and sham CPAP groups for all metabolic and SNS markers (NCT00746902 RHOOSAS).

[Acute aortic syndromes and sleep apnea]

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease, often present in "cardiovascular or metabolic patients". OSA favours the occurrence of arterial lesions, all the more if severe. There is a strong relationship between OSA and acute aortic syndromes (AAS). This relationship is in part explained by aortic dilatation linked to OSA. The presence of repeated episodes of sudden variation of transmural pressure applied on aortic wall seems to play a major role in this dilatation. All OSA patients should have a search of aortic dilatation by ultrasound (at a thoracic and abdominal level). Also, screening of OSA should be systematically performed in patients with aortic disease. The effect of continuous positive airway pressure in apneic patients with AAS has not been studied.

Glucose tolerance and cardiovascular risk biomarkers in non-diabetic non-obese obstructive sleep apnea patients: Effects of long-term continuous positive airway pressure

BACKGROUND

Insulin resistance, glucose dyshomeostasis and oxidative stress are associated to the cardiovascular consequences of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The effects of a long-term continuous positive airway pressure (LT-CPAP) treatment on such mechanisms still remain conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of LT-CPAP on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, oxidative stress and cardiovascular biomarkers in non-obese non-diabetic OSA patients.

PATIENTS & METHODS

Twenty-eight apneic, otherwise healthy, men suffering from OSA (mean age = 48.9 ± 9.4 years; apnea-hypopnea index = 41.1 ± 16.1 events/h; BMI = 26.6 ± 2.8 kg/m(2); fasting glucose = 4.98 ± 0.37 mmol/L) were evaluated before and after LT-CPAP by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), measuring plasma glucose, insulin and proinsulin. Glycated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assessment resistance insulin, blood lipids, oxidative stress, homocysteine and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were also measured.

RESULTS

LT-CPAP treatment lasted 13.9 ± 6.5 months. At baseline, the time spent at SaO2<90%, minimal and mean SaO2 were associated with insulin area under the curve during OGTT (r = 0.448, P = 0.011; r = -0.382; P = 0.047 and r = -0.424; P = 0.028, respectively) and most other glucose/insulin homeostasis biomarkers, as well as with homocysteine (r = 0.531, P = 0.006; r = -0.487; P = 0.011 and r = -0.409; P = 0.034, respectively). LT-CPAP had no effect on all the OGTT-related measurements, but increased plasma total antioxidant status (+7.74%; P = 0.035) in a duration-dependent manner (r = 0.607; P < 0.001), and decreased both homocysteine (-15.2%; P = 0.002) and NT-proBNP levels (-39.3%; P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In non-obese non-diabetic OSA patients, nocturnal oxygen desaturation is strongly associated to insulin resistance. LT-CPAP does not improve glucose homeostasis nor insulin sensitivity but has a favorable effect on antioxidant capacity and cardiovascular risk biomarkers.

Comparison of continuous positive airway pressure and bosentan effect in mildly hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: A randomized controlled pilot study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) have shown that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has only limited impact on blood pressure (BP). Alternative strategies for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)-associated hypertension are therefore needed. Endothelin-1 has been demonstrated a key player in the deleterious cardiovascular consequences of OSA. In OSA, CPAP treatment has never been compared with endothelin receptor antagonist medications. Thus, we assessed the respective efficacy of CPAP and bosentan in reducing 24-h diastolic BP (DBP) in patients with OSA never treated by either therapy.

METHODS

In a crossover pilot study, 16 mildly hypertensive patients (office systolic BP (SBP)/DBP: 142 ± 7/85 ± 8 mm Hg) with severe OSA (55 ± 8 years; body mass index, 29.6 ± 4.2 kg/m(2) ; apnoea-hypopnoea index, 40.8 ± 20.2/h) were randomized to either CPAP (n = 7) or bosentan (125 mg/day, n = 9) first for 4 weeks. After 2-weeks of washout, the second 4-week period consisted of the alternative treatment (in crossover). The primary outcome was the 24-h mean DBP change after treatment.

RESULTS

In intention-to-treat analysis, the mean difference in 24-h DBP measurements between treatments was -3.1 (-6.9/0.7) mm Hg (median, 25th/75th percentiles) (P = 0.101) with bosentan having a greater effect.

CONCLUSION

In this RCT, in mildly hypertensive patients with OSA, bosentan did not modify 24-h DBP but only reduced office BP suggesting that Endothelin-1 blockade does not play a major role in treatment of OSA-related hypertension.

[Hypertension during obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]

Hypertension (HT) related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is one of the secondary forms of HT. It must be systematically evoked in hypertensive patient because the association "obesity, major snoring and excessive diurnal sleepiness" is fickle during OSAS. HT in apneic patient is more often diastolic, nocturnal, with a non-dipper profile. Moreover, OSAS is very frequently present during resistant hypertension. There are many mechanisms linking OSAS to HT. The main stimulus is intermittent hypoxia and the most important pathophysiological consequence is high sympathetic activity. After doing the diagnosis of OSAS, its treatment principally associated lifestyle changes with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP can significantly decrease blood pressure, especially if compliance to treatment is good and hypertension is resistant.

Development and validation of a method using supported liquid extraction for aldosterone determination in human plasma by LC-MS/MS

BACKGROUND

Accurate quantitation of aldosterone is essential for screening, diagnosis and subtype classification in primary aldosteronism. A simple, sensitive method for aldosterone in human plasma using supported liquid extraction (SLE) in combination with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated.

METHODS

Plasma samples were diluted with water containing d7-aldosterone as internal standard. The samples were extracted with methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) on SLE cartridges. Separation was carried out on a Luna C18 (2) column using a methanol-water gradient. Detection was performed in the negative electrospray multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) quantitation. The use of water-based calibrators was evaluated against calibrators prepared in steroid-free serum.

RESULTS

The assay was linear up to 3265pmol/L with an LOQ of approximately 40pmol/L. Within-run and between-run precision for plasma aldosterone were less than 10% except at low level near LOQ but were still less than 14.7% (Westgard's desirable specification). The mean recovery of the analyte added to plasma was greater than 97.7% and matrix effects were less than 4%. Comparison with another LC-MS/MS method was performed on a more sensitive instrument (ABSciex TQ 5500) and gave the equation API 3000=0.957×TQ 5500+12.6, linear regression r(2)=0.974 (n=43). An estimation of the reference interval for adults was established on a group of healthy volunteers (n=53). Calibration with water-based calibrators was validated and can be used for measurement of aldosterone by LC-MS/MS.

CONCLUSIONS

This method is reliable, easy to perform on plasma specimens in a clinical environment and is attractive because of its simplicity.

Fibromuscular dysplasia: what the radiologist should know: a pictorial review

Abstract

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an idiopathic, segmentary, non-inflammatory and non-atherosclerotic disease that can affect all layers of both small- and medium-calibre arteries. The prevalence of FMD is estimated between 4 and 6 % in the renal arteries and between 0.3 and 3 % in the cervico-encephalic arteries. FMD most frequently affects the renal, carotid and vertebral arteries, but it can theoretically affect any artery. Radiologists play an important role in the diagnosis of FMD, and good knowledge of FMD’s signs will certainly help reduce the delay between the first symptoms and diagnosis. The common string-of-beads aspect is well known, but less common presentations also have to be considered. These less common imaging findings include vascular loops, fusiform vascular ectasia, arterial dissection, aneurysm and subarachnoid haemorrhage. These radiologic presentations should be known by radiologists in order to diagnose possible FMD, particularly when present in young females or when associated with personal or familial hypertension, to reduce the delay between the onset of the first symptom and the final diagnosis. The patients have to be referred to specialised FMD centres for dedicated management.

Teaching Points

• Fibromuscular dysplasia is not a rare disease.

• Radiologists should recognise less common presentations to orient specific management.

• Vascular loops, fusiform vascular ectasia and a “string-of-beads” aspect are typical presentations.

• Arterial dissection, aneurysm and subarachnoid haemorrhage are less typical radiologic presentations.

Nocturia is an independent predictive factor of prevalent hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine whether nocturia is an independent predictor for prevalent hypertension in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

METHODS

We analyzed data from a national prospective clinical cohort of OSA patients participating in the French national prospective registry. Anthropometric data, comorbidities, OSA severity, and number of voids/night were included in multivariate analyses to determine the independent variables associated with prevalent hypertension.

RESULTS

A total of 22,674 OSA patients were included, of which 11,332 were hypertensive. The prevalence of hypertension among OSA patients was about 1.3 times higher in patients suffering from nocturia at 61.45% versus 46.52% in hypertensive and non-hypertensive OSA patients (p <0.001). There was a significant positive relationship between hypertension and the severity of nocturia beyond two voids/night: two voids/night versus none: odds ratio (OR) = 1.270 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.175; 1.372), three voids/night versus none: OR = 1.422 (95% CI = 1.293; 1.565), and four voids/night versus none: OR = 1.575 (95% CI = 1.394; 1.781). The strength of the association was enhanced in patients over 64 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

Nocturia is a strong independent predictor of prevalent hypertension in OSA. This association exhibited a "dose-response" relationship beyond two voids/night. The resolution of nocturia after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment might be an important outcome to consider for the response of hypertension to CPAP.

CPAP treatment supported by telemedicine does not improve blood pressure in high cardiovascular risk OSA patients: a randomized, controlled trial

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been associated with hypertension, which is one of the intermediary mechanisms leading to increased cardiovascular morbidity. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of a combination of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and telemedicine support on blood pressure (BP) reduction in high cardiovascular risk OSA patients.

DESIGN

A multi-center randomized controlled trial that compared standard CPAP care and CPAP care and a telemedicine intervention.

SETTING

Sleep clinics in France.

PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS

107 adult (18-65 years old) OSA patients (AHI > 15 events/h) with a high cardiovascular risk (cardiovascular SCORE > 5% or secondary prevention).

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to either standard care CPAP (n = 53) or CPAP and telemedicine (n = 54). Patients assigned to telemedicine were equipped with a smartphone for uploading BP measurements, CPAP adherence, sleepiness, and quality of life data; in return, they received pictograms containing health-related messages.

MEASUREMENTS

The main outcome was home self-measured BP and secondary outcomes were cardiovascular risk evolution, objective physical activity, CPAP adherence, sleepiness and quality of life.

RESULTS

Self-measured BP did not improve in either group (telemedicine or standard care). Patients in primary prevention showed greater BP reduction with CPAP treatment than those in secondary prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

CPAP treatment supported by telemedicine alone did not improve blood pressure and cardiovascular risk in high cardiovascular risk OSA patients. This study emphasizes the need for diet and physical activity training programs in addition to CPAP when aiming at decreasing cardiometabolic risk factors in these patients.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01226641.

Twenty-four-hour rhythm of ocular perfusion pressure in non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy

PURPOSE

In non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAAION) patients, circulatory insufficiency within the optic nerve has previously been hypothesized to be related to nocturnal systemic hypotension. The main objective of this prospective cohort study was to investigate the nyctohemeral variations in ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) in NAAION patients.

METHODS

In 20 patients with NAAION, the intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured using the Tono-Pen XL(™) electronic tonometer every hour for 24 hr. Blood pressure (BP) was evaluated over 24 hr. Mean OPP was calculated with the following formula: OPP sitting position = (0.74 × mean BP) - IOP and OPP lying position = (0.84 × mean BP) - IOP. A nonlinear least squares dual-harmonic regression analysis approach was used to model the 24-hr rhythms of OPP data.

RESULTS

On average, a 24-hr amplitude of 4.7 ± 2.6 mmHg was found for OPP. The patients were classified as either having a diurnal OPP rhythm (i.e. with a diurnal acrophase, 10% of the cases), a nocturnal OPP rhythm (45%) or absence of OPP rhythm (45%). Four patients had a nocturnal reduction in OPP (mean, -11%).

CONCLUSION

The physiological nocturnal rhythm of OPP was maintained in 45% of the NAAION patients. The nocturnal reduction in OPP seen in 20% of the patients was within the range of OPP where optic nerve blood flow autoregulation is still fully operative. A high prevalence of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome in our population (71%) may explain the low frequency of systemic nocturnal hypotension.

High prevalence of iron deficiency in patients with acute decompensated heart failure

AIMS

Limited data are available on iron parameters in patients hospitalized for decompensation of chronic heart failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Iron parameters of patients hospitalized for decompensation of chronic heart failure were prospectively assessed during the 72 h after hospital admission. Iron deficiency was defined according to the 2012 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines. Overall, 411 men (75 ± 12  years; 75% NYHA functional classes III/IV) and 421 women (81 ± 11 years; 71% NYHA classes III/IV) were evaluated. The prevalence of iron deficiency was 69% in men and 75% in women (including 41% and 49% with absolute iron deficiency, respectively). The prevalence of anaemia in men (<13 g/dL) was 68% and in women (<12 g/dL) it was 52%. Among non-anaemic patients, the prevalence of iron deficiency was 57% in men and 79% in women. Only 9% of patients received iron supplementation at the time of admission (oral, 9%; intravenous, 0.2%). Multivariate analysis showed that anaemia and antiplatelet treatment in men, and diabetes and low C-reactive protein in women, were independently associated with iron deficiency.

CONCLUSIONS

Iron deficiency is very common in patients admitted for acute decompensated heart failure, even among non-anaemic patients. Given the benefit of iron therapy in chronic heart failure, our results emphasize the need to assess iron status not only in chronic heart failure patients, but even more so in those admitted for worsening heart failure, regardless of gender, heart failure severity, or haemoglobin level. Initiating iron therapy in hospitalized heart failure patients needs to be investigated.

Imaging of functional and structural alterations of large arteries after acute ischaemic atherothrombotic stroke or acute coronary syndromes

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive methods allow the evaluation of structural and functional arterial abnormalities. So far, no study has focused on the comparison of vascular parameters by type of cardiovascular event.

METHODS

In this pilot study, cardiovascular risk factors, carotid parameters, carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), brachial flow-mediated dilation and ambulatory blood pressure were assessed in patients who presented with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or ischaemic atherothrombotic stroke (IAS). Groups were matched for age and gender.

RESULTS

Prevalences of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia and heredity, smoking and body mass index were similar in the ACS (n=50) and IAS (n=50) groups. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and PWV were significantly higher in the IAS vs. ACS group (769±180 vs. 701±136 μm; P=0.039 and 12.5±3.5 vs. 10.7±2.4 m/s; P=0.006). Carotid distensibility was significantly lower in the IAS vs. ACS group (16.2±3.2 vs. 18.9±7.6 10(-3)/kPa; P=0.02). These differences persisted after adjustment for blood pressure for carotid distensibility but not for PWV. The prevalences of endothelial dysfunction and carotid plaques were not significantly different in the ACS and IAS groups (86% and 74%; 80% and 78%). In a multivariable model, carotid distensibility remained associated with ACS (odds ratio 1.19; 95% confidence interval 1.03-1.38; P=0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Stiffness and carotid wall thickness were higher in IAS than in ACS patients. These differences may support the interest in new therapeutic targets for cardiovascular secondary prevention.

NCT NO

NCT00926874.

Arterial stiffness in COPD

In patients with COPD, cardiovascular diseases are the most common concomitant chronic diseases, a leading cause of hospitalization, and one of the main causes of death. A close connection exists between COPD and cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular risk scores aim to predict the effect of cardiovascular comorbidities on COPD mortality, but there is a need to better characterize occult and suboccult cardiovascular disease, even in patients with mild to moderate COPD. Among various surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk, arterial stiffness plays a central role and is a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular events beyond classic cardiovascular risk factors. Its measurement is highly suitable, validated, and relatively easy to perform in routine COPD clinical practice. The growing awareness of the increased cardiovascular risk associated with COPD has led to a call for respiratory physicians to measure arterial pulse wave velocity in routine practice. Cross-sectional data establish elevated arterial stiffness as being independently linked to COPD. Candidate mechanisms have been proposed, but surprisingly, only limited data are available regarding the impact of the different COPD treatment modalities on arterial stiffness, although initial studies have suggested a significant positive impact. In this review, we present the various surrogate markers of cardiovascular morbidity in COPD and the central role of arterial stiffness and the underlying mechanisms explaining vascular remodeling in COPD. We also consider the therapeutic impact of COPD medications and exercise training on arterial stiffness and the assessments that should be implemented in COPD care and follow-up.

Can we identify response markers to antihypertensive drugs? First results from the IDEAL Trial

Current antihypertensive strategies do not take into account that individual characteristics may influence the magnitude of blood pressure (BP) reduction. Guidelines promote trial-and-error approaches with many different drugs. We conducted the Identification of the Determinants of the Efficacy of Arterial blood pressure Lowering drugs (IDEAL) Trial to identify factors associated with BP responses to perindopril and indapamide. IDEAL was a cross-over, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, involving four 4-week periods: indapamide, perindopril and two placebo. Eligible patients were untreated, hypertensive and aged 25-70 years. The main outcome was systolic BP (SBP) response to drugs. The 112 participants with good compliance had a mean age of 52. One in every three participants was a woman. In middle-aged women, the SBP reduction from drugs was -11.5 mm Hg (indapamide) and -8.3 mm Hg (perindopril). In men, the response was significantly smaller: -4.8 mm Hg (indapamide) and -4.3 (perindopril) (P for sex differences 0.001 and 0.015, respectively). SBP response to perindopril decreased by 2 mm Hg every 10 years of age in both sexes (P=0.01). The response to indapamide increased by 3 mm Hg every 10 years of age gradient in women (P=0.02). Age and sex were important determinants of BP response for antihypertensive drugs in the IDEAL population. This should be taken into account when choosing drugs a priori.

Hypertension and sleep: overview of a tight relationship

Autonomic cardiovascular control changes across sleep stages. Thus, blood pressure (BP), heart rate and peripheral vascular resistance progressively decrease in non-rapid eye movement sleep. Any deterioration in sleep quality or quantity may be associated with an increase in nocturnal BP which could participate in the development or poor control of hypertension. In the present report, sleep problems/disorders, which impact either the quality or quantity of sleep, are reviewed for their interaction with BP regulation and their potential association with prevalent or incident hypertension. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, sleep duration/deprivation, insomnia, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy are successively reviewed. Obstructive sleep apnea is clearly associated with the development of hypertension that is only slightly reduced by continuous positive airway pressure treatment. Shorter and longer sleep durations are associated with prevalent or incident hypertension but age, gender, environmental exposures and ethnic differences are clear confounders. Insomnia with objective short sleep duration, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy may impact BP control, needing additional studies to establish their impact in the development of permanent hypertension. Addressing sleep disorders or sleep habits seems a relevant issue when considering the risk of developing hypertension or the control of pre-existent hypertension. Combined sleep problems may have potential synergistic deleterious effects.

Type A Acute Aortic Dissection

Purpose:

To understand why the false channel (FC) remains patent after surgery of type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD).

Materials and Methods:

Postoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans of 129 patients operated for TAAAD were analyzed, and a color-Doppler ultrasound examination (CDUS) of the supra-aortic vessels (SAVs) was performed in 12 patients.

Results:

The FC remained patent in 107 (82.9%) patients. The entry site was situated near the distal anastomosis in 43 (40.2%) patients and far from it in 44 (41.1%) patients. In 10 (9.35%) patients, an entry site was observed only in the SAVs. In 10 (9.35%) patients, no entry site was seen. Of the 12 patients explored with CDUS, a retrograde filling of the FC was observed in 11 patients.

Conclusion:

The frequent postoperative circulating aortic FC can be explained by the persistence of the primary entry tear, the presence of iatrogenic tears, and/or a retrograde filling in the SAVs.

Short sleep duration measured by wrist actimetry is associated with deteriorated glycemic control in type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Sleep restriction has been associated with deteriorated insulin sensitivity. The effects of short sleep duration have been explored little in patients with type 1 diabetes. This study addresses the question of whether sleep curtailment affects HbA1c levels in patients with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Seventy-nine adult patients with type 1 diabetes (median age 40 years [IQR 23-49]; 47% men) were recruited to wear a wrist actimetry sensor during 3 consecutive days to assess mean sleep duration during normal daily life. A subsample of 37 patients also performed 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Medical history, sleep questionnaires, and diabetes-related quality of life (DQOL) were assessed.

RESULTS

Patients having shorter sleep duration--less than 6.5 h (n=21)--had higher levels of HbA1c (P=0.01) than patients with longer sleep duration, above 6.5 h (n=58). In a multivariable regression model including shorter versus longer sleep duration, diabetes duration, DQOL score, and daily activity, sleep duration was the only variable independently associated with HbA1c (R2=10%). In patients who performed 24-h ABPM, patients with a nondipping pattern of blood pressure exhibited shorter sleep duration than patients with a dipping pattern of blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Shorter sleep duration is associated with higher HbA1c levels in patients with type 1 diabetes, as well as with a nondipping pattern of blood pressure, anticipating a long-term deleterious impact on the risk of microvascular complications. Further studies should test whether extending the duration of sleep may improve both HbA1c and blood pressure in type 1 diabetes.

Impact of miscuffing during home blood pressure measurement on the prevalence of masked hypertension

BACKGROUND

Masked hypertension has been associated with obesity. However, because most studies do not mention the specific cuff size used for home measurements, masked hypertension prevalence may have been overestimated in obese patients because of undersized cuffs. In this prospective, observational study, the effect of miscuffing on hypertension status was evaluated in patients with large arms.

METHODS

Fifty-three patients with an upper-arm circumference >33cm, undergoing treatment for mild-to-moderate hypertension, took 2 sets of home blood pressure (BP) measurements (standard vs. large cuff) using the validated Microlife BP A100 Plus automated device.

RESULTS

Mean BP was 143/85mm Hg at the office using a large cuff, 141/84mm Hg at home using a standard cuff, and 134/80mm Hg at home using a large cuff. Standard vs. large cuff home BP mean differences were 6.9mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.7-9.2; P < 0.0001) for systolic BP and 4.0mm Hg (95% CI = 2.4-5.5; P < 0.0001) for diastolic BP. Hypertension status differed significantly between standard vs. large cuffs: sustained hypertension (56.6% vs. 41.5%, respectively; P = 0.002), controlled hypertension (20.8% vs. 28.3%, respectively; P = 0.04), white coat hypertension (7.5% vs. 22.6%, respectively; P = 0.002), masked hypertension (15.1% vs. 7.5%, respectively; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with large arms, use of an appropriately sized large cuff for home BP measurements led to a 2-fold reduction in masked hypertension. Regarding clinical and epidemiological implications, future studies investigating masked hypertension should specify cuff size for home BP measurements. The low market availability and increased cost of large cuffs should also be addressed.

[Management of hypertension recorded as at least 180/110 mmHg]

Stage 3 hypertension (severe) is far from rare. It may be part of a previous hypertension condition which is difficult to control, or occur more acutely, in which case it will be harder for the patient to bear. When it is symptomatic and a fortiorione or more organs targeted by hypertension are affected, management must be fast and appropriate. It may take the form of a hypertensive urgency, in which case the investigations and treatment usually take place in outpatients, with oral treatment. it may also be a hypertensive emergency for which treatment involves hospitalization in an intensive care unit with intravenous anti-hypertensive treatment. A reduction in blood pressure must be obtained rapidly but not suddenly; it must be more or less significant depending on the clinical situation, and also progressive.

Profile of circulating cytokines: impact of OSA, obesity and acute cardiovascular events

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is inducing oxidative stress and consequently promotes systemic inflammation and cardiovascular morbidity. The respective impact of obesity, sleep apnea and acute cardiovascular events on the profile of inflammatory cytokines has not been extensively evaluated. We examined the profile of circulating cytokines in a case-control study comparing nonobese or obese patients with or without sleep apnea and with or without an acute cardiovascular event. Patients were assessed by sleep studies and inflammatory (hs-CRP, Leptin, RANTES, MCP1, IL6, IL8, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (adiponectin, IL1-Ra) cytokines profile. A cardiovascular phenotyping was performed including carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity and 24h blood pressure monitoring. In comparison with patients without sleep apnea or without comorbidities, patients with the combination of an acute cardiovascular event and pre-existing sleep apnea showed a higher burden of systemic inflammation with significant increase in serum levels of hs-CRP, IL1-Ra, IL-8, IL-6, TNF-α, Rantes and sICAM. Rantes and sICAM serum levels were independently associated with AHI after an acute cardiovascular event. Serum levels of different inflammatory markers were significantly increased in patients with the combination of sleep apnea and an acute cardiovascular event. Since these biomarkers could be associated with worsened cardiovascular outcome, diagnosing and treating associated sleep apnea is potentially important in patients after an acute cardiovascular event.

Comorbidities and mortality in hypercapnic obese under domiciliary noninvasive ventilation

Background

The higher mortality rate in untreated patients with obesity-associated hypoventilation is a strong rationale for long-term noninvasive ventilation (NIV). The impacts of comorbidities, medications and NIV compliance on survival of these patients remain largely unexplored.

Methods

Observational cohort of hypercapnic obese patients initiated on NIV between March 2003 and July 2008. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Anthropometric measurements, pulmonary function, blood gases, nocturnal SpO₂ indices, comorbidities, medications, conditions of NIV initiation and NIV compliance were used as covariates. Univariate and multivariate Cox models allowed to assess predictive factors of mortality.

Results

One hundred and seven patients (56% women), in whom NIV was initiated in acute (36%) or chronic conditions, were followed during 43±14 months. The 1, 2, 3 years survival rates were 99%, 94%, and 89%, respectively. In univariate analysis, death was associated with older age (>61 years), low FEV1 (<66% predicted value), male gender, BMI×time, concomitant COPD, NIV initiation in acute condition, use of inhaled corticosteroids, ß-blockers, nonthiazide diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and combination of cardiovascular drugs (one diuretic and at least one other cardiovascular agent). In multivariate analysis, combination of cardiovascular agents was the only factor independently associated with higher risk of death (HR = 5.3; 95% CI 1.18; 23.9). Female gender was associated with lower risk of death.

Conclusion

Cardiovascular comorbidities represent the main factor predicting mortality in patient with obesity-associated hypoventilation treated by NIV. In this population, NIV should be associated with a combination of treatment modalities to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Intermittent hypoxia-activated cyclooxygenase pathway: role in atherosclerosis

Intermittent hypoxia, the main stimulus of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), induces inflammation, leading to early atherosclerosis. Whether the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway contributes to intermittent hypoxia-induced atherosclerosis remains to be determined. We studied the effects of 8-weeks of intermittent hypoxia exposure on COX-pathway gene expression and atherosclerosis, and the influence of COX-1 inhibition by SC-560 on atherosclerosis progression in aortas of apolipoprotein E(-/-) mice. Urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 (11-dTXB2) was assessed in 50 OSA subjects free of cardiovascular risk factor matched for age and body mass index with 25 controls, and 56 OSA with cardiovascular risk factor. Intermittent hypoxia significantly increased atherosclerotic lesion sizes, mRNA levels of COX-1 and thromboxane synthase (TXBS). Lesion sizes correlated to COX-1 (r = 0.654, p = 0.0003) and TXBS (r = 0.693, p<0.0001) mRNA levels. COX-1 inhibition reduced lesion progression in intermittent hypoxia mice only (p = 0.04). Urinary 11-dTXB2 was similar in OSA subjects free of cardiovascular risk factor and controls, but was increased by 13% (p = 0.007) in OSA subjects with cardiovascular risk factor compared with those without. Although OSA itself was not associated with increased urinary 11-dTXB2 concentration, the COX-1 pathway was activated in intermittent hypoxia-exposed mice and in OSA subjects presenting with cardiovascular risk factor, and may contribute to intermittent hypoxia-induced atherogenesis. COX-1 inhibition could be of clinical interest in the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity in OSA.

Aldosterone-to-renin ratio for diagnosing aldosterone-producing adenoma: a multicentre study

BACKGROUND

Biological diagnostic criteria for diagnosing aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) are not well-established.

AIM

The aim of the study was to establish the best biological predictors of APA.

METHODS

A prospective register was implemented in 17 secondary or tertiary hypertension centres. The inclusion criterion was one of the following: onset of hypertension before 40 years of age; history of hypokalaemia; drug-resistant hypertension (resistant to three drugs); or spironolactone efficiency on BP.

RESULTS

Among the 338 collected cases, 192 patients had two aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) determinations (after 1 hour supine and at least 1 hour upright) on the same occasion. Twenty-five patients (8.2%) had biological hyperaldosteronism and an adrenal adenoma identified by computed tomography. APA was histologically confirmed in all 12 patients who underwent surgery. Histologically proven APAs were used as the 'gold standard' in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. ARRs were computed with a minimum renin value set at 5 ng/L to avoid misclassification of so-called 'low-renin hypertension'. To predict an APA, the ARR area under the ROC curve was 0.93. A supine ARR cut-off value of 32ng/ng provided the highest sum of sensitivity (92%) plus specificity (92%). On the basis of an ARR≥32 ng/ng in the supine and/or upright position, sensitivity reached 100%.

CONCLUSION

The proposed cut-off value of 32 ng/ng for ARR (minimum renin value set at 5 ng/L) in one of two determinations had 100% sensitivity and 72% specificity with 20% positive and 100% negative predictive values for diagnosing APA.

Leukotriene B4 pathway activation and atherosclerosis in obstructive sleep apnea

Leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) production increases in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) and is linked to early vascular remodeling, the mechanism of which is unknown. The objective of this study was to to determine the molecular mechanisms of LTB(4) pathway activation in polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and early vascular remodeling in OSA and the specific contribution of intermittent hypoxia (IH). PMNs were isolated from 120 OSA patients and 33 healthy subjects and used for measurements of LTB(4) production, determination of mRNA and protein expression levels, or exposed for four cycles of in vitro IH. PMNs derived from OSA patients exhibited increased LTB(4) production, for which apnea-hypopnea index was an independent predictor (P=0.042). 5-Lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) mRNA and protein increased significantly in PMNs from OSA patients versus controls and were associated with carotid luminal diameter and intima-media thickness. LTB(4) (10 ng/ml) increased IL-6 (P=0.006) and MCP-1 (P=0.002) production in OSA patient monocytes. In vitro exposure of PMNs from controls to IH enhanced FLAP mRNA levels (P= 0.027) and induced a 2.7-fold increase (P=0.028) in LTB(4) secretion compared with PMNs exposed to normoxia. In conclusion, upregulation of FLAP in PMNs in response to IH may participate in early vascular remodeling in OSA patients, suggesting FLAP as a potential therapeutic target for the cardiovascular morbidity associated with OSA.

The IDEAL study : towards personalized drug treatment of hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To identify markers (phenotypic, genetic, or environmental) of blood pressure (BP) response profiles to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and diuretics.

METHODS

IDEAL was a crossover (two active and two wash out phases), double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eligible patients were untreated hypertensive, aged 25 to 70. After two visits, patients were randomized to one of four sequences. The main outcome was BP differences between the active treatment and placebo.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-four patients were randomised: mean age 53, men 65%, family history of hypertension 60%. Average BP fall at each visit before randomisation was about 2% of the initial level reflecting both a regression to the mean and a placebo effect.

CONCLUSION

The results are expected to improve knowledge in drug's mechanisms of action and pathophysiology of hypertension, and to help in personalizing treatment. The estimation of BP responses to each drug in standardized conditions provided a benefit to each participant.

Reduced six-minute walking distance, high fat-free-mass index and hypercapnia are associated with endothelial dysfunction in COPD

This study investigated the determinants of endothelial function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Digital pulse amplitude augmentation was measured by post-ischemic reactive hyperemia (RH-PAT) in 44 COPD patients and analyzed with covariates: condition vs. exacerbation, fat-free mass index (FFMI), pulmonary function, blood pressure, inflammation, six-minute walking distance, muscle function, medications, diabetes and prevalent cardiovascular diseases. RH-PAT was 0.43 (-0.14 to 1.30) with 50% of patients exhibiting abnormal RH-PAT ≤ 0.40. After adjustment for age and sex, RH-PAT was linked to condition, FFMI, myocardial infarction history, FEV(1), PaCO(2), heart rate, bicarbonates, inflammation and walking distance (p<0.10). In multivariate analysis, walking distance, FFMI and PaCO(2) were independent contributors of RH-PAT explaining 49% of the variance (p<0.0001). Higher FFMI was associated with higher inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Six-minute walking distance which is a widely available marker of severity and functional capacity in COPD patients is a main predictor of endothelial dysfunction.

Out-of-office blood pressure: from measurement to control

Hypertension is an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditionally, hypertension diagnosis and treatment and clinical evaluations of antihypertensive efficacy have been based on office blood pressure (BP) measurements; however, there is increasing evidence that office measures may provide inadequate or misleading estimates of a patient’s true BP status and level of cardiovascular risk. The introduction, and endorsement by treatment guidelines, of 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring and self (or home) BP monitoring has facilitated more reliable and reproducible estimations of true BP, including the identification of white-coat and masked hypertension, and evaluation of BP variability. In addition, ambulatory BP monitoring enables accurate assessment of treatment effectiveness over 24 hours and both ambulatory and self BP monitoring may lead to better tailoring of therapy according to BP profile and concomitant disease. This review describes the clinical benefits and limitations of out-of-office assessments and their applications for effective management of hypertension and attainment of BP control.

An uncommon cause of renovascular hypertension

Renovascular hypertension is usually due to an atherosclerotic artery stenosis or a fibromuscular dysplasia. We describe an uncommon cause of renal ischemia. A 66-year-old woman was admitted for severe hypertension. During her stay, she presented an acute myocardial infarction with normal coronary angiography. After a flank pain, a contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography scan was performed which revealed a stenosis of the left main renal artery. However, renal angiography displayed a thrombosis. Transesophageal echocardiography showed a mobile mass attached to the mitral valve. A diagnosis of renal artery thrombosis and acute myocardial infarction both resulting from a cardiac tumour embolism was established.

Increased aortic root size is associated with nocturnal hypoxia and diastolic blood pressure in obstructive sleep apnea

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is known as a major cardiovascular risk factor, and high prevalence of OSA has been reported in patients with thoracic aortic dissection. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between OSA, its vascular consequences, and aortic root size.

DESIGN/PATIENTS

156 newly diagnosed apneic patients free of cardiovascular disease and medication were included. Patients underwent cardiac ultrasound for measuring aortic root diameter, polysomnography, office and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and arterial stiffness evaluation by carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV).

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

In univariate analysis, greater aortic root size was associated with older age (P = 0.03) and severity of OSA as expressed by mean nocturnal oxygen saturation (SpO2) (P = 0.015). Moreover, greater aortic root size was associated with higher diastolic BP, measured both clinically (P = 0.0005) or by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (P = 0.02), and PWV (P = 0.03). Mean nocturnal SpO(2) was correlated with BRS (P = 0.0008), thus potentially influencing BP values and arterial stiffness. In multivariate stepwise regression analysis, diastolic BP was the only significant factor for aortic root size (P = 0.0003).

CONCLUSIONS

In OSA patients, nocturnal hypoxemia decreased BRS and increased diastolic BP, which was the main factor influencing aortic root size.

Noninvasive ventilation in mild obesity hypoventilation syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Open studies suggest that treatment of obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) by noninvasive ventilation (NIV) restores sleep quality and daytime vigilance and reduces cardiovascular morbidity. However, to our knowledge no randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing NIV to conservative measures is available in the field. The goal of this study was to assess in patients with OHS, during an RCT, effects of 1-month NIV compared with lifestyle counseling on blood gas measurements, sleep quality, vigilance, and cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory parameters.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients in whom OHS was newly diagnosed were randomized either to the NIV group or the control group represented by lifestyle counseling. Assessments included blood gas levels, subjective daytime sleepiness, metabolic parameters, inflammatory (hsCRP, leptin, regulated upon activation normal T-cell express and secreted [RANTES], monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, resistin) and antiinflammatory (adiponectin, IL-1-RA) cytokines, sleep studies, endothelial function (reactive hyperemia measured by peripheral arterial tonometry [RH-PAT]), and arterial stiffness.

RESULTS

Despite randomization, NIV group patients (n = 18) were older (58 ± 11 years vs 54 ± 6 years) with a higher baseline Paco(2) (47.9 ± 4.2 mm Hg vs 45.2 ± 3 mm Hg). In intention-to-treat analysis, compared with control group, NIV treatment significantly reduced daytime Paco(2) (difference between treatments: -3.5 mm Hg; 95% CI, -6.2 to -0.8) and apnea-hypopnea index (-40.3/h; 95% CI, -62.4 to -18.2). Sleep architecture was restored, although nonrespiratory microarousals increased (+9.4/h of sleep; 95% CI, 1.9-16.9), and daytime sleepiness was not completely normalized. Despite a dramatic improvement in sleep hypoxemia, glucidic and lipidic metabolism parameters as well as cytokine profiles did not vary significantly. Accordingly, neither RH-PAT (+0.02; 95% CI, -0.24 to 0.29) nor arterial stiffness (+0.22 m/s; 95% CI, -1.47 to 1.92) improved.

CONCLUSIONS

One month of NIV treatment, although improving sleep and blood gas measurements dramatically, did not change inflammatory, metabolic, and cardiovascular markers.

TRIAL REGISTRY

ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00603096; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Is there a BP benefit of changing the time of aspirin administration in treated hypertensive patients?

Background and design: The effects of aspirin on blood pressure (BP) are controversial and a chronopharmacological effect of aspirin on 24-hour BP was reported recently in otherwise untreated hypertensive patients. The study was designed to test the timing effect of aspirin dosing on 24-hour BP in treated hypertensive patients routinely taking aspirin for cardiovascular prevention.

Method and results: Seventy-five patients were randomized into two groups. One group was to receive aspirin in the evening then in the morning for 1 month and the other group in the morning then in the evening, following a cross-over design. The principal assessment criterion was 24-hour systolic BP (SBP) measured by 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). Patients were aged 65 ± 9 years and had been hypertensive for 12 ± 10 years. They were all taking a mean of 2.8 antihypertensive drugs and did not modify their treatment throughout the study. Of the included subjects, 70% were men and 33% were diabetics. Mean 24-hour SBP values were clinically equivalent and were not statistically different, depending on whether the aspirin was taking in the morning or evening (128.3 ± 1.4 vs. 128.3 ± 1.4 mmHg, respectively). Neither was there any significant difference in diurnal and nocturnal SBP or in 24-hour, diurnal, and nocturnal diastolic BP (DBP).

Conclusion: It does not appear useful to advise patients with long-standing hypertension to modify timing of aspirin intake in order to reduce BP values.

Direct admission to the operating room: an efficient strategy for patients with diagnosed or highly suspected acute type a aortic dissection

BACKGROUND

Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a life-threatening condition with a poor acute prognosis, which requires rapid and effective surgical management. The aim of this study is to assess our strategy with regard to this condition.

METHODS

According to a regional emergency protocol, patients with diagnosed or highly suspected ATAAD are directly transferred to the cardiac operating room. Transesophageal echocardiography is performed under anaesthesia, and the patient then undergoes surgery if the diagnosis is confirmed. The present retrospective study examines the implementation of this management strategy between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 2009.

RESULTS

Out of 380 patients, 245 were directly admitted to the operating room. Three hundred twelve cases of ATAAD, 15 cases of aneurysm of the ascending aorta, 9 cases of acute type B dissection, 4 cases of chronic dissection, 4 cases of hemopericardium, and 7 other diagnoses were observed. In 10 cases, no etiology was found. Nineteen patients died before surgery could be performed. Out of the 307 cases of ATAAD undergoing surgery, 15 patients were operated with cardiac massage (14 cases of aortic rupture). This management strategy was justified in 93.1% of patients (228/245) directly admitted to the operating room, because of the need for surgery or aortic rupture.

CONCLUSIONS

Our management strategy enabled patients with ATAAD to receive effective and unselective treatment. Despite appropriate management, the large number of patients still dying before surgery, or undergoing surgery with cardiac massage, justifies and consolidates the need for immediate treatment of this condition.