2013 ESH/ESC Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension: the Task Force for the management of arterial hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). J Hypertens. 2013;31:1281-1357. [PMID: 23817082 DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000431740.32696.cc]

Titration of amlodipine to higher doses: a comparison of Asian and Western experience

In this retrospective analysis, data pooled from two Phase III/IV open-label Asian studies were used to quantify the additional blood pressure efficacy achieved when titrating amlodipine from 5 mg to 10 mg in mild/moderate hypertensive patients, and compared to data pooled from three Western studies. The primary efficacy end point was the change from baseline in sitting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) to the specified time point (4–8 weeks, depending on the trial). For the Asian analysis (n=174), both mean SBP and DBP were significantly decreased at the final visit (SBP −13.3 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [CI] −15.5 to −11.0; DBP −9.2 mmHg, 95% CI −10.6 to −7.8; both P<0.0001). These results were similar to the Western analysis (n=369; SBP −11.5 mmHg, 95% CI −13.1 to −10.0; DBP −6.3, 95% CI −7.1 to −5.5; both P<0.0001). In summary, titration of amlodipine from 5 mg to 10 mg significantly decreased both SBP and DBP in Asian patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Microalbuminuria, but not reduced eGFR, is associated with cardiovascular subclinical organ damage in type 2 diabetes

AIM

This study explored the association between reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and microalbuminuria vs. subclinical organ damage in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Data from middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes (n=706) treated in primary care were analyzed for microalbuminura, defined as a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (uACR)≥3.0mmol/mol, and reduced eGFR, defined as<60mL/min/1.73m(2), in relation to blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and lumen diameter (LD).

RESULTS

Patients with microalbuminuria had significantly higher 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure (ASBP) compared with subjects with uACR<3mg/mmol: 137 vs. 128mmHg (P<0.001). There were no differences in ASBP in patients with eGFR<60mL/min/1.73m(2). However, patients with vs. without microalbuminuria had increased PWV (11.4 vs. 10.1m/s; P<0.001), LVMI (134.4 vs. 118.6g/m(2); P<0.001), LD (7.01±0.93 vs. 6.46±0.74mm; P<0.001) and IMT (0.78 vs. 0.74mm; P=0.047), respectively. The associations between uACR vs. PWV and LVMI were more robust after adjusting for age, diabetes duration, ASBP, HbA1c, LDL-cholesterol, and antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy compared with uACR vs. IMT. There were no statistically significant differences in PWV, LVMI or IMT between patients with reduced (<60mL/min/1.73m(2)) vs. normal eGFR.

CONCLUSION

Levels of urinary albumin excretion, but not reduced eGFR, were associated with increased arterial stiffness, left ventricular mass and atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effects of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and beta-blockers on markers of arterial stiffness

Antihypertensive agents may, even within the same class, exert variable effects on arterial stiffness variables. Nebivolol could have a better impact than atenolol on arterial stiffness, by increasing the bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) increase plasma renin activity (enhancing the production of angiotensin II via non-ACE-related pathways) whereas aliskiren does not, potentially affecting central hemodynamics differently. We compared the effects of two renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors (quinapril and aliskiren) and 2 beta-blockers (atenolol and nebivolol) on arterial stiffness variables. Treatment-naïve patients (n = 72; 68.1% males; age, 47.6 ± 10.6 years) with uncomplicated stage I-II essential hypertension were randomly assigned to quinapril, aliskiren, atenolol, or nebivolol for 10 weeks. Central systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), central pulse pressure (PP), augmentation index (AIx), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured at baseline, 2, and 10 weeks. The same measurements were performed in 20 normotensive subjects (65.0% males; age, 40.0 ± 8.9 years). Peripheral and central systolic and diastolic BP, peripheral PP, and PWV were significantly and similarly reduced by all agents. However, PWV continued to decline between the second and last visit in patients on quinapril and aliskiren but did not change in those on nebivolol or atenolol. Central PP and AIx decreased in patients on quinapril, aliskiren, and nebivolol but did not change in those taking atenolol. The decrease in central PP and AIx did not differ between patients on quinapril, aliskiren, and nebivolol. Despite similar reductions in peripheral BP, atenolol is less effective than nebivolol and RAAS inhibitors in improving central pulsatile hemodynamics. Aliskiren exerts similar effects on markers of arterial stiffness as quinapril. The clinical relevance of these differences remains to be established.

Circulating microRNAs as potential non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection of hypertension-related stroke

Hypertension is one of the most important risk and modifiable factors for stroke. Crucial in managing the cerebrovascular damage caused by long-lasting and inadequately treated hypertension is not only lowering arterial blood pressure but also early predicting subtypes of hypertension-related stroke and applying more effective interventions. Accumulating evidence suggested that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) could be developed as biomarkers for early recognition of the onset of a variety of diseases. The role of miRNAs has been extensively reviewed, involving cardiac hypertrophy, hypertensive heart failure, kidney failure and renal fibrosis. miRNA research in stroke is still in its infancy, although there are few literatures reviewing the role of miRNAs in the processes of hypertension-related stroke. This review summarizes current advances in miRNAs regulation of critical pathogenic process underlying hypertension, ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke, and highlights the potential of using circulating miRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers for the early detection of hypertension-related stroke.

Biological, electrical and echocardiographic indices versus cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing left ventricular hypertrophy

The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) versus cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in detecting left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The study included 42 hypertensive subjects with mean±s.d. age 48.1±12.3 years, 57.1% men, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure 144/89 mm Hg, left ventricular ejection fraction >50%, without symptoms of heart failure, and not taking any drugs that interfere with hormonal regulation. The accuracies of the methods in detecting LVH were compared at two diagnostic LVH cutoffs: low, 83 g m(-2) in men and 67 g m(-2) in women; and high, 96 g m(-2) in men and 81 g m(-2) in women. With the low and high LVH cutoffs, the areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves and the optimal values for NT-proBNP were 0.761, 0.849, 200 and 421 pg ml(-1), respectively. An NT-proBNP level under 30 pg ml(-1) ruled out LVH with 100% sensitivity. The optimal values and literature-based values of NT-proBNP allowed a correct classification of 73-81% of the subjects. In 80-90% of the cases, the diagnostic accuracy of NT-proBNP was close to that of ECG criteria but lower than that of TTE criteria. Interestingly, combining ECG criteria and NT-proBNP level improved the diagnostic performance to be at least comparable to that of TTE: the percentages of correctly classified subjects were 73-95% vs. 67-86%, respectively. Of note, the range considers both diagnostic LVH cutoffs. The simultaneous use of ECG criteria and NT-proBNP plasma levels seemed to be powerful enough to detect LVH in most hypertensive subjects.

Azilsartan medoxomil in the treatment of hypertension: the definitive angiotensin receptor blocker?

INTRODUCTION

Azilsartan medoxomil is the newest angiotensin receptor blocker marketed for the treatment of arterial hypertension. The aim of this article was to review the available evidence about this drug alone or combined with other antihypertensive agents in the treatment of hypertensive population.

AREAS COVERED

For this purpose, a search on MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed. The MEDLINE and EMBASE search included both medical subject headings (MeSHs) and keywords including azilsartan or azilsartan medoxomil or angiotensin receptor blockers or renin angiotensin system or chlorthalidone and hypertension. References of the retrieved articles were also screened for additional studies. There were no language restrictions.

EXPERT OPINION

Azilsartan medoxomil has a potent and persistent ability to inhibit binding of angiotensin II to AT1 receptors, which may play a role in its superior blood pressure (BP) -lowering efficacy compared with other drugs, including ramipril, candesartan, valsartan or olmesartan, without an increase of side effects. Chlortalidone is a diuretic which significantly differs from other classic thiazides and has largely demonstrated clinical benefits in outcome trials. The fixed-dose combination of azilsartan and chlorthalidone has been shown to be more effective than other potent combinations of angiotensin receptor blockers plus hydrochlorothiazide, with a good tolerability profile.

Resistant hypertension: patient characteristics, risk factors, co-morbidities and outcomes

Among the vast population of hypertensive subjects, between 10 and 15% do not achieve an adequate blood pressure (BP) control despite the use of at least three antihypertensive agents. This group, designated as having resistant hypertension (RH), represents one of the most important clinical challenges in hypertension evaluation and management. Resistant hypertensives are characterized by several clinical particularities, such as a longer history of hypertension, obesity and other accompanying factors, such as diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy, albuminuria and renal dysfunction. In addition to other diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers, such as excluding secondary hypertension, ensuring treatment adherence and optimizing therapeutic schemes, ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) is crucial in the clinical evaluation of patients with RH. ABPM distinguish between those with out-of-office BP elevation (true resistant hypertensives) and those having white-coat RH (WCRH; normalcy of 24-h BPs), the prevalence of the latter estimated in about one-third of the population with RH. True resistant hypertensives also exhibit more frequently other co-morbidities, more severe target organ damage and a worse cardiovascular prognosis, in comparison to those with WCRH. Some device-based therapies have recently been developed for treatment of RH. This requires a better characterization of a potential candidate population. A better knowledge of the clinical features of resistant hypertensive subjects, the confirmation of elevated BP values out of the doctor's office, and improvements in the search for secondary causes would help to select those candidates for newer therapies, once the pharmacological possibilities have been exhausted.

Catheter-based Renal Sympathetic Denervation - Long-term Symplicity™ Renal Denervation Clinical Evidence, New Data and Future Perspectives

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide and the incidence of resistant hypertension is increasing. Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) offers a new approach to reaching blood pressure goals by targeting the renal nerves. The technique has demonstrated significant and sustained reductions in blood pressure (BP) in the Symplicity HTN-1 and Symplicity HTN-2 clinical trials. The Global SYMPLICITY Registry aims to demonstrate safety and effectiveness in a 'real-world' patient population. Real-world RDN experience has emphasised that patient selection is crucial to successful outcomes; a multidisciplinary referral network is recommended to increase awareness of the procedure and identify patients who are likely to respond best to RDN. Further advances in catheter technology have led to the development of the multi-electrode Symplicity Spyral™ multi-electrode catheter; preliminary data from the feasibility study using the Symplicity Spyral catheter indicate clinical efficacy and procedural safety with reduced procedure times. The Symplicity Spyral catheter is not yet commercially available. The indications of RDN may also expand beyond resistant hypertension - encouraging data have been seen in patients with moderate treatment resistant hypertension. Furthermore, RDN may be beneficial in other clinical states characterised by sympathetic nervous system overactivation including heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Additional data are needed to evaluate the efficacy of RDN in these disease states.

Global cardiovascular risk assessment in the management of primary hypertension: the role of the kidney

The knowledge of each patient's global risk profile is a prerequisite for effective therapeutic strategies in primary hypertension. Detecting the presence of subclinical organ damage at the cardiac, vascular, and renal levels is key for stratifying cardiovascular risk and may also be helpful in choosing antihypertensive agents and in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. A systematic, in-depth search for subclinical organ damage, however, may be difficult to carry out because of logistic and economic problems related to the high prevalence of hypertension in the population. Renal abnormalities such as microalbuminuria and reduction in glomerular filtration rate have proven to be powerful predictors of cardiovascular and renal outcome. Thanks to their relatively low cost and wide applicability, more widespread use of these tests in the diagnostic workup will help detect subsets of patients at greater risk for whom additional preventive and therapeutic treatment is advisable.