Refractory Hypertension: A Novel Phenotype of Antihypertensive Treatment Failure

Severe neurovascular hypertension in a 17-year-old girl cured by microvascular decompression

We report a rare case of centrally caused hypertension in a 17-year-old adolescent due to neurovascular compression of the root entry/exit zone of the ninth/tenth cranial nerves of the rostral ventrolateral medulla oblongata on the left side. The patient underwent a comprehensive diagnostic workup to exclude other causes of secondary hypertension. A cranial magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI) indicated a neurovascular compression. The patient underwent microvascular decompression (MVD) twice. After the first MVD, blood pressure values significantly decreased to normotensive levels without any antihypertensive medication. After one year without clinical symptoms, the patient experienced recurrent hypertension and underwent a second MVD. Again, the blood pressure normalized without any medication or clinical symptoms within six-month follow-up. This case report highlights neurovascular compression at brainstem level as an important differential diagnosis of centrally caused hypertension, even in the absence of specific cranial nerve deficits. MVD is an effective treatment option.

Assisted single port bilateral nephrectomy for management of refractory hypertension: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

In children, refractory hypertension presents a complex medical challenge that is, characterized by consistently high blood pressure levels despite the administration of numerous antihypertensive drugs. Bilateral nephrectomy has been reported as a potential treatment option for children with refractory hypertension who have not responded to medical management.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this report, we describe the outcomes of an assisted single-port laparoscopic bilateral nephrectomy in a 7-year-old girl with refractory hypertension after other treatment modalities had been exhausted.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Single-port laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique with potential benefits, including shorter recovery times and improved cosmetic outcomes, which are especially relevant in pediatric patients.

CONCLUSION

This case report demonstrates the successful use of single-port laparoscopic bilateral nephrectomy as a treatment for refractory hypertension in pediatric patients.

Joint Analysis of Multiple Omics to Describe the Biological Characteristics of Resistant Hypertension

Resistant hypertension (RH) may cause severe target organ damage and poses significant challenges in the field of hypertension prevention and treatment. Mining biological characteristics is crucial for exploring the pathogenesis of RH and for early diagnosis and treatment. Although several single-omics studies have been conducted on RH, its complex pathogenesis has only been partially elucidated. In this study, metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics were jointly analyzed in healthy subjects and patients with hypertension and RH. The multi-omics analysis found that differential substances of RH were enriched in the HIF-1 signaling pathway and that differential substances such as ascorbic acid, reduced glutathione (GSH), choline, citric acid, transferrin receptor (TfR), Egl-9 family hypoxia-inducible factor 2 (EGLN2), and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) were screened out. The results of intergroup comparisons were as follows: RH versus N: ascorbic acid (Fold Change (FC):0.42, p < 0.01), GSH (FC:0.65, p < 0.05), choline (FC:1.32, p < 0.05), citric acid (FC:0.48, p < 0.001), TfR (FC2.32, p < 0.001), GPX1 (FC:16.02, p < 0.001), EGLN2 (FC:0.76, p < 0.001); RH versus EH: ascorbic acid (FC:0.52, p < 0.05), GSH (FC:0.55, p < 0.05), choline (FC:1.28, p < 0.05), citric acid (FC:0.59, p < 0.001), TfR (FC:1.71, p < 0.001), GPX1 (FC:2.11, p < 0.05), EGLN2 (FC:0.76, p < 0.05). These differential substances may reflect the biology of RH. This study provides multi-omics analysis for a deeper understanding of the complex molecular characteristics of RH, providing new insights into the pathogenesis, early diagnosis, and precise treatment of the disease.

A Review of the Risk Factors and Management of Refractory Hypertension: The Role of Carotid Sinus Stimulation and Renal Nerve Denervation

Hypertension (HTN) is a significant health concern, with a recent increase in HTN-related cardiovascular deaths in the United States. Refractory hypertension, a form of treatment-resistant HTN, poses a challenge for physicians and patients due to its association with increased morbidity and mortality. Risk factors for refractory HTN include African ancestry, female gender, younger age, diabetes mellitus, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, and smoking. While the exact pathophysiology of refractory HTN is not fully understood, sympathetic overdrive appears to be a significant contributing factor. Arterial stiffness, chronic kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, and diabetes mellitus are comorbid conditions associated with increased sympathetic activity and refractory HTN. The knowledge behind carotid sinus stimulation suggested promising outcomes due to the known physiology. However, the introduction of devices, surgical complications, and the development of new antihypertensive soon took over the innovation of these devices. The authors aim to highlight three important aspects related to refractory hypertension: the risk factors for the development of refractory hypertension, the role of surgery in managing hypertension, and the referral systems available for the management of refractory hypertension.

The Global Burden of Resistant Hypertension and Potential Treatment Options

Resistant hypertension (RH) is defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) that remains .140 mmHg or .90 mmHg, respectively, despite an appropriate lifestyle and the use of optimal or maximally tolerated doses of a three-drug combination, including a diuretic. This definition encompasses the category of controlled RH, defined as the presence of blood pressure (BP) effectively controlled by four or more antihypertensive agents, as well as refractory hypertension, referred to as uncontrolled BP despite five or more drugs of different classes, including a diuretic. To confirm RH presence, various causes of pseudo-resistant hypertension (such as improper BP measurement techniques and poor medication adherence) and secondary hypertension must be ruled out. Inadequate BP control should be confirmed by out-of-office BP measurement. RH affects about 5% of the hypertensive population and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Once RH presence is confirmed, patient evaluation includes identification of contributing factors such as lifestyle issues or interfering drugs/substances and assessment of hypertension-mediated organ damage. Management of RH comprises lifestyle interventions and optimisation of current medication therapy. Additional drugs should be introduced sequentially if BP remains uncontrolled and renal denervation can be considered as an additional treatment option. However, achieving optimal BP control remains challenging in this setting. This review aims to provide an overview of RH, including its epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic work-up, as well as the latest therapeutic developments.

Relationship between the hemodynamic profile and resistant hypertension in pregnant patients with hypertensive crisis

OBJECTIVE

Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality has been a challenge for low and middle-income countries, especially in the setting of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Improved strategies for treating obstetric patients with resistant hypertension are needed. We sought to explore whether hemodynamic parameters may be used to identify patients that develop resistant hypertension in pregnancy.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study among pregnant patients with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia that experienced severe blood pressure elevations. Hemodynamic variables were evaluated, including cardiac output (CO), and total peripheral resistance (TPR). The primary endpoint was resistant hypertension. An exploratory logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between the hemodynamic profile and the development of resistant hypertension. Adverse maternal and fetal outcomes were additionally described according to the presence of resistant hypertension.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven patients with severe pregnancy hypertension were included, of whom 34 developed resistant hypertension (59.7%). The resistant hypertension group, in comparison to those without resistant hypertension, presented with a hypodynamic profile characterized by reduced CO < 5 L/min (41.2% vs. 8.7%, p: 0.007), and increased TPR > 1400 dyn-s/cm5 (64.7% vs. 39.1%, p: 0.057). Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between a hypodynamic profile and resistant hypertension (OR 3.252, 95% CI 1.079-9.804; p = 0.035). Newborns of the resistant hypertension group had more frequent low birth weight (<2500 g), low Apgar scores, ICU admissions, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

CONCLUSION

Patients experiencing hypertensive crisis during pregnancy and exhibiting a hypodynamic profile (TPR ≥1400 dyn·s/cm5 and CO ≤ 5 L/min) developed higher rates of resistant hypertension.

Resistant hypertension: consensus document from the Korean society of hypertension

Although reports vary, the prevalence of true resistant hypertension and apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (aTRH) has been reported to be 10.3% and 14.7%, respectively. As there is a rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus, factors that are associated with resistant hypertension, the prevalence of resistant hypertension is expected to rise as well. Frequently, patients with aTRH have pseudoresistant hypertension [aTRH due to white-coat uncontrolled hypertension (WUCH), drug underdosing, poor adherence, and inaccurate office blood pressure (BP) measurements]. As the prevalence of WUCH is high among patients with aTRH, the use of out-of-office BP measurements, both ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM), is essential to exclude WUCH. Non-adherence is especially problematic, and methods to assess adherence remain limited and often not clinically feasible. Therefore, the use of HBPM and higher utilization of single-pill fixed-dose combination treatments should be emphasized to improve drug adherence. In addition, primary aldosteronism and symptomatic obstructive sleep apnea are quite common in patients with hypertension and more so in patients with resistant hypertension. Screening for these diseases is essential, as the treatment of these secondary causes may help control BP in patients who are otherwise difficult to treat. Finally, a proper drug regimen combined with lifestyle modifications is essential to control BP in these patients.

Revisiting resistant hypertension: a comprehensive review

Resistant hypertension (RHT) is typically defined as blood pressure that remains above guideline-directed targets despite the use of three anti-hypertensives, usually including a diuretic, at optimal or maximally tolerated doses. It is generally estimated to affect 10-30% of those diagnosed with hypertension, though the true incidence might be lower after one factor in the prevalence of non-adherence. Risk factors for its development include diabetes, obesity and other adverse lifestyle factors, and a diagnosis of RHT confers a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, such as stroke, heart failure and mortality. It is essential to exclude pseudoresistance and secondary hypertension and to ensure non-pharmacologic management is optimised prior to consideration of fourth-line anti-hypertensive agents or advanced interventions, such as device therapies. In this review, we will cover the different definitions of RHT, along with the importance of careful diagnosis and management strategies, and discuss newer agents and research needs.

Literature-Based Discovery to Elucidate the Biological Links between Resistant Hypertension and COVID-19

Multiple studies have reported new or exacerbated persistent or resistant hypertension in patients previously infected with COVID-19. We used literature-based discovery to identify and prioritize multi-scalar explanatory biology that relates resistant hypertension to COVID-19. Cross-domain text mining of 33+ million PubMed articles within a comprehensive knowledge graph was performed using SemNet 2.0. Unsupervised rank aggregation determined which concepts were most relevant utilizing the normalized HeteSim score. A series of simulations identified concepts directly related to COVID-19 and resistant hypertension or connected via one of three renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system hub nodes (mineralocorticoid receptor, epithelial sodium channel, angiotensin I receptor). The top-ranking concepts relating COVID-19 to resistant hypertension included: cGMP-dependent protein kinase II, MAP3K1, haspin, ral guanine nucleotide exchange factor, N-(3-Oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone, aspartic endopeptidases, metabotropic glutamate receptors, choline-phosphate cytidylyltransferase, protein tyrosine phosphatase, tat genes, MAP3K10, uridine kinase, dicer enzyme, CMD1B, USP17L2, FLNA, exportin 5, somatotropin releasing hormone, beta-melanocyte stimulating hormone, pegylated leptin, beta-lipoprotein, corticotropin, growth hormone-releasing peptide 2, pro-opiomelanocortin, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, prolactin, thyroid hormone, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate depolymerase, CR 1392, BCR-ABL fusion gene, high density lipoprotein sphingomyelin, pregnancy-associated murine protein 1, recQ4 helicase, immunoglobulin heavy chain variable domain, aglycotransferrin, host cell factor C1, ATP6V0D1, imipramine demethylase, TRIM40, H3C2 gene, COL1A1+COL1A2 gene, QARS gene, VPS54, TPM2, MPST, EXOSC2, ribosomal protein S10, TAP-144, gonadotropins, human gonadotropin releasing hormone 1, beta-lipotropin, octreotide, salmon calcitonin, des-n-octanoyl ghrelin, liraglutide, gastrins. Concepts were mapped to six physiological themes: altered endocrine function, 23.1%; inflammation or cytokine storm, 21.3%; lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, 17.6%; sympathetic input to blood pressure regulation, 16.7%; altered entry of COVID-19 virus, 14.8%; and unknown, 6.5%.

Apparently Resistant Hypertension in Polish Hemodialyzed Population: Prevalence and Risk Factors

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and determinants of apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (aTRH) in an unselected large population of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) treated with hemodialysis (HD) throughout the country.

METHODS

A database of 5879 patients (mean age 65.2 ± 14.2 years, 60% of males receiving hemodialysis) was obtained from the biggest provider of hemodialysis in the country. Hypertension and aTRH were defined using pre- or/and post-dialysis BP values. Patients with and without aTRH (non-aTRH) were compared.

RESULTS

Using pre- and post-dialysis criteria, hypertension was diagnosed in 90.7% and 89.1% of subjects, respectively. According to pre- and post-dialysis blood pressure criteria, aTRH incidences were 40.9% and 38.4%, respectively. The hypertensive patients with aTRH versus non-aTRH were younger, had a higher rate of cardiovascular disease, lower dialysis vintage, shorter time on dialysis, higher eKt/V, higher ultrafiltration, higher pre- and post-dialysis BP and HR, and higher use of antihypertensive drugs. Factors that increase the risk of aTRH according to both pre- and post-dialysis BP criteria were age-OR 0.99 [0.98-0.99] and 0.99 [0.98-0.99], the history of CVD 1.26 [1.08-1.46] and 1.30 [1.12-1.51], and diabetes 1.26 [1.08-1.47] and 1.28 [1.09-1.49], adjusted OR with 95% CI.

CONCLUSIONS

In the real-life world, as much as 40% of HD patients may have aTRH. In ESKD HD patients, aTRH seems to be multifactorial, influenced by patient-related rather than dialysis-related factors. Various definitions of aTRH preclude easy comparisons between studies.

International Consensus Statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea

BACKGROUND

Evaluation and interpretation of the literature on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) allows for consolidation and determination of the key factors important for clinical management of the adult OSA patient. Toward this goal, an international collaborative of multidisciplinary experts in sleep apnea evaluation and treatment have produced the International Consensus statement on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (ICS:OSA).

METHODS

Using previously defined methodology, focal topics in OSA were assigned as literature review (LR), evidence-based review (EBR), or evidence-based review with recommendations (EBR-R) formats. Each topic incorporated the available and relevant evidence which was summarized and graded on study quality. Each topic and section underwent iterative review and the ICS:OSA was created and reviewed by all authors for consensus.

RESULTS

The ICS:OSA addresses OSA syndrome definitions, pathophysiology, epidemiology, risk factors for disease, screening methods, diagnostic testing types, multiple treatment modalities, and effects of OSA treatment on multiple OSA-associated comorbidities. Specific focus on outcomes with positive airway pressure (PAP) and surgical treatments were evaluated.

CONCLUSION

This review of the literature consolidates the available knowledge and identifies the limitations of the current evidence on OSA. This effort aims to create a resource for OSA evidence-based practice and identify future research needs. Knowledge gaps and research opportunities include improving the metrics of OSA disease, determining the optimal OSA screening paradigms, developing strategies for PAP adherence and longitudinal care, enhancing selection of PAP alternatives and surgery, understanding health risk outcomes, and translating evidence into individualized approaches to therapy.

2022 Renal denervation therapy for the treatment of hypertension: a statement from the Thai Hypertension Society

Hypertension remains a significant risk factor for major cardiovascular events worldwide. Poor adherence to treatment is extremely common in clinical practice, leading to uncontrolled hypertension. However, some patients with resistant hypertension still have uncontrolled blood pressure despite good medical compliance. A specific group of patients also develop adverse reactions to many blood pressure-lowering medications. These scenarios indicate that innovative strategies to lower blood pressure in challenging cases of hypertension are needed. The blood pressure-lowering efficacy of catheter-based renal denervation therapy to decrease sympathetic tone has been confirmed in many publications in recent years. Apart from both the invasiveness and the expensiveness of this technology, appropriate case selection to undergo this procedure is still developing. The utilization of renal denervation therapy for hypertension treatment in Thailand has lasted for 10 years with a good response in most cases. Currently, only certain interventionists at a few medical schools in Thailand can perform this procedure. However, more physicians are now interested in applying this technology to their patients. The Thai Hypertension Society Committee has reviewed updated information to provide principles for the appropriate utilization of renal denervation therapy. The blood pressure-lowering mechanism, efficacy, suitable patient selection, pre- and postprocedural assessment and procedural safety of renal denervation are included in this statement.

Long-Term Impact of the Great Chinese Famine on the Risks of Specific Arrhythmias and Severe Hypertension in the Offspring at an Early Stage of Aging

Perinatal malnutrition affects postnatal cardiovascular functions. This study used the Great Chinese Famine (GCF) to determine the long-term impact of perinatal undernutrition on hypertension and arrhythmias in older offspring. Subjects (n = 10,065) were divided into an exposed group whose fetal life was in the GCF and an unexposed group. The exposed group showed higher systolic/diastolic pressure, heart rate, and total cholesterol. Perinatal exposure to the GCF was a significant risk to Grade 2 and Grade 3 hypertension (OR = 1.724, 95%CI: 1.441-2.064, p < 0.001; OR = 1.480, 95%CI: 1.050-2.086, p < 0.05) compared to the control. The GCF also increased risks for myocardial ischemia (OR = 1.301, 95%CI: 1.135-1.490, p < 0.001), bradycardia (OR = 1.383, 95%CI: 1.154-1.657, p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.931, 95%CI: 1.033-3.610, p < 0.05), and atrioventricular block (OR = 1.333, 95%CI: 1.034-1.719, p < 0.05). Total cholesterol, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome were associated with Grade 2 or Grade 3 hypertension after exposure to the GCF; high cholesterol, high BMI, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and elevated blood pressure were linked to certain types of arrhythmias in exposed offspring. The results first demonstrated perinatal undernutrition was a significant risk factor for the development of Grade 2-3 hypertension and certain arrhythmias in humans. Perinatal undernutrition still significantly impacted cardiovascular systems of the aged offspring even 50 years after the GCF. The results also provided information to a specific population with a history of prenatal undernutrition for early prevention against cardiovascular diseases before aging.

Defining preventive cardiology: A clinical practice statement from the American Society for Preventive Cardiology

Remarkable transformations in science and healthcare have resulted in declines in mortality from cardiovascular disease over the past several decades, largely driven by progress in prevention and treatment of persons at risk. However, these trends are now beginning to stall, as our county faces increases in cardiovascular risk factors including overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, poor long-term adherence to a healthy lifestyle and lifesaving pharmacotherapy have exacerbated these trends, with recent data suggesting unprecedented increases in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A paradigm shift is needed to improve the cardiovascular health of our nation. Preventive cardiology, a growing subspecialty of cardiovascular medicine, is the practice of primordial, primary, and secondary prevention of all cardiovascular diseases. Preventive cardiologists and preventive cardiology specialists are well equipped with the knowledge and skill-set necessary to reduce deaths related to the growing burden of heart disease and its risk factors. Despite dedicated efforts, cardiovascular disease remains the leading killer of men and women in the United States. Although there is little debate regarding the importance of prevention, many healthcare professionals question the need for preventive cardiology as a distinct subspecialty. Additionally, the field's growth has been hampered by a lack of organization and standardization, and variability of training within programs across the country. The purpose of this document is to delineate the key attributes that define the field of preventive cardiology according to the American Society for Preventive Cardiology.

Anti-atherosclerotic therapies: Milestones, challenges, and emerging innovations

Atherosclerosis is the main underlying pathology for many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are the leading cause of death globally and represent a serious health crisis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition that can lead to myocardial infarction, ischemic cardiomyopathy, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Elevated plasma lipids, hypertension, and high glucose are the major risk factors for developing atherosclerotic plaques. To date, most pharmacological therapies aim to control these risk factors, but they do not target the plaque-causing cells themselves. In patients with acute coronary syndromes, surgical revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention has greatly reduced mortality rates. However, stent thrombosis and neo-atherosclerosis have emerged as major safety concerns of drug eluting stents due to delayed re-endothelialization. This review summarizes the major milestones, strengths, and limitations of current anti-atherosclerotic therapies. It provides an overview of the recent discoveries and emerging game-changing technologies in the fields of nanomedicine, mRNA therapeutics, and gene editing that have the potential to revolutionize CVD clinical practice by steering it toward precision medicine.

Effects of Carvedilol on Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, and Blood Lipids in Elderly Patients with Refractory Hypertension

Refractory hypertension seriously affects the life safety of patients. To investigate the effect of carvedilol combined with conventional antihypertensive therapy on blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in elderly patients with refractory hypertension, a total of 80 elderly patients with refractory hypertension who were admitted from June 2019 to September 2021 were selected as the retrospective research objects and divided into the observation group and the control group according to the random number table method, 40 cases in each group, and the control group received conventional antihypertensive therapy. On this basis, the observation group was treated with carvedilol, and the effects of blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications were analyzed in the two groups. After treatment, the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, adrenal medulla (AM), and endothelin (ET) of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group, but the heart rate and NO of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group. After treatment, the fasting blood glucose, insulin, triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol (CHO), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group, but the ISI and HDL-C of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group. After treatment, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, UAER, BUN, and SCr in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The TC of the observation group was lower than that of the control group. Combination therapy has a remarkably stable, sustained, and safe antihypertensive effect on patients with refractory hypertension.

Refractory Hypertension: a Narrative Systematic Review with Emphasis on Prognosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To perform a narrative systematic review on refractory hypertension (RfHT) with particular emphasis on prognosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

There were 37 articles on RfHT, 13 non-systematic reviews, and 24 original studies. RfHT, a recently described extreme phenotype of anti-hypertensive treatment failure, shall be defined as uncontrolled out-of-office blood pressure (BP) levels despite the use of at least 5 anti-hypertensive drugs, including a long-acting diuretic and a mineraloreceptor antagonist. Its prevalence ranges from 0.5 to 4.3% of general treated hypertensives and between 3.6 and 51.4% of patients with resistant hypertension (RHT). RfHT is associated with younger age, African ancestry, obesity, hypertension-mediated organ damage and clinical cardiovascular diseases, and with some comorbidities, such as diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. Its physiopathological mechanisms probably involve sympathetic overactivity and not volume overload. Patients with RfHT have a worse prognosis than non-refractory RHT individuals, with higher risks of adverse cardiovascular and renal outcomes and of mortality. RfHT represents a rare but true extreme phenotype of anti-hypertensive treatment failure distinct from RHT and with a significantly worse prognosis. Identifying such individuals is important to tailor specific interventions.

The incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in patients with uncontrolled hypertension

Aim. To assess the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients with controlled and uncontrolled hypertension, controlled resistant and uncontrolled resistant hypertension, refractory hypertension, and probably resistant and probably refractory hypertension. Materials and methods. A telephone call was made to 256 patients with hypertension included in the database to assess the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. All responding patients were divided into 7 groups according to the classification of hypertension based on the achievement/non-achievement of target blood pressure values and the number of drugs taken (controlled and uncontrolled hypertension, controlled resistant and uncontrolled resistant hypertension, refractory hypertension, and probably resistant and probably refractory hypertension). The target blood pressure was considered to be less than 140/90 mm Hg. Patients not adhering to medication were not included in the analysis. Results. The group of controlled hypertension included 146 (57%) patients out of 256, controlled resistant hypertension 36 (14%) patients, uncontrolled hypertension 6 (2.3%) patients, resistant uncontrolled hypertension 22 (8.6%) patients, refractory hypertension 31 (12.1%) patients. The group of probably resistant hypertension 6 (2.3%) patients, probably refractory hypertension 9 (3.5%) patients. Of the 28 events that occurred, 6 were attributed to coronary artery disease (including 3 acute myocardial infarction and 2 coronary artery stenting), 3 strokes, 6 episodes of transient ischemic attack and 10 new cases of atrial fibrillation, and 2 patients had sudden cardiac death. Significantly more often, patients with refractory hypertension developed any event compared with patients with controlled (38.7% versus 3.4%; p=0.005) and resistant hypertension (38.7% versus 13.6%; p=0.04). Also, patients from the group of probably refractory hypertension were more likely to develop events than patients with controlled hypertension (33.3% versus 3.4%; p=0.045). Patients with probably refractory hypertension significantly more often had a stroke than patients with controlled hypertension (22.2% versus 0%; p0.05), and patients with refractory hypertension significantly more often had a transient ischemic attack compared with patients from the group of controlled hypertension (12.9% versus 0.7%; p=0.03). Conclusion. Patients with refractory and probably refractory hypertension are significantly more likely to develop cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications than patients with controlled hypertension.

Prevalence and prognosis of refractory hypertension diagnosed using ambulatory blood pressure measurements

The prognosis of refractory hypertension is largely unknown due to its low prevalence. This study aimed to investigate the prognosis of refractory hypertension and compare it with those of resistant and nonresistant hypertension. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 16,284 participants with hypertension who underwent ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring between 2012 and 2019 at a tertiary center. Uncontrolled BP was defined as a 24-h BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg as assessed by ambulatory BP monitoring. Resistant hypertension was defined as uncontrolled BP despite the use of three antihypertensive medications, including a diuretic or the use of ≥4 drugs regardless of BP control. Refractory hypertension was defined as uncontrolled BP despite the use of ≥5 antihypertensive medications. Among 16,284 patients with hypertension (mean age 59.2 ± 15.5 years, 52.7% men), 1501 (9.2%) and 150 (0.9%) patients had resistant and refractory hypertension, respectively. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, heart failure, previous stroke, left ventricular hypertrophy, and the riser/nondipper patterns of circadian BP rhythm progressively increased from patients with nonresistant hypertension to patients with resistant hypertension to patients with refractory hypertension. During a median follow-up of 3.9 years, the risk of cardiovascular mortality progressively increased from patients with nonresistant hypertension to patients with resistant hypertension (hazard ratio 1.62, 95% confidence interval 1.16-2.26) to patients with refractory hypertension (hazard ratio 5.22, 95% confidence interval 3.04-8.96). In conclusion, refractory hypertension, defined as uncontrolled ambulatory BP levels, was associated with a higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality than nonresistant or resistant hypertension.

Refractory and Resistant Hypertension in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Different Response to Renal Denervation

Aim      To compare the antihypertensive effectivity of renal denervation in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated refractory arterial hypertension (rfAH) (treated with 5 or more classes of antihypertensive drugs, including a thiazide diuretic and a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist) and uncontrolled resistant AH (ucAH) (treated with 3-4 drugs).Material and methods  This interventional study with renal denervation included 18 DM patients with rfAH and 40 DM patients with ucAH; 16 and 36 of them, respectively, completed the study in 6 months. At baseline, patients were sex- and age-matched. Study methods included measurement of office blood pressure (BP; systolic/diastolic BP, SBP/DBP); outpatient BP monitoring; evaluation of kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate by the CKD-EPI formula); diurnal diuresis volume; diurnal urinary excretion of albumin, potassium and sodium; diurnal excretion of metanephrines and normetanephrines; and plasma levels of glucose and glycated hemoglobin, aldosterone, and active renin. Patients were instructed about maintaining compliance with their antihypertensive and hypoglycemic therapy throughout the study.Results At baseline, patients of both groups were comparable by BP and major clinical indexes, except for higher values of nocturnal SBP variability (p&lt;0.05) in patients with rfAH. At 6 months following renal denervation, both groups displayed significant decreases in office and average daily SBP and also in the "load" with increased mean diurnal SBP. However, the decrease in average daily SBP was almost 4 times greater in the rfAH group than in the ucAH group ( -19.9 and -5.1 mm Hg, respectively, р=0.02). Moreover, 81 % of patients in the rfAH group responded to the intervention (average daily SBP decrease ≥10 mm Hg) while the number of responders in the ucAH group was considerably smaller (42 %; p=0.02). In patients with rfAH, renal denervation was associated with a significant decrease in pulse BP and nocturnal SBP variability and with the increase in diurnal diuresis. No other alterations were noted in laboratory test results in either group.Conclusion      DM patients with rfAH may be the best candidates for the procedure of renal denervation.

Adverse Health Outcomes Associated With Refractory and Treatment-Resistant Hypertension in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort

Refractory hypertension (RfH) is a severe phenotype of antihypertension treatment failure. Treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH), a less severe form of difficult-to-treat hypertension, has been associated with significantly worse health outcomes. However, no studies currently show how health outcomes may worsen upon progression to RfH. RfH and TRH were studied in 3147 hypertensive participants in the CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study). The hypertensive phenotype (ie, no TRH or RfH, TRH, or RfH) was identified at the baseline visit, and health outcomes were monitored at subsequent visits. Outcome risk was compared using Cox proportional hazards models with time-varying covariates. A total of 136 (4.3%) individuals were identified with RfH at baseline. After adjusting for participant characteristics, individuals with RfH had increased risk for the composite renal outcome across all study years (50% decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate or end-stage renal disease; hazard ratio for study years 0-10=1.73 [95% CI, 1.42-2.11]) and the composite cardiovascular disease outcome during later study years (stroke, myocardial infarction, or congestive heart failure; hazard ratio for study years 0-3=1.25 [0.91-1.73], for study years 3-6=1.50 [0.97-2.32]), and for study years 6-10=2.72 [1.47-5.01]) when compared with individuals with TRH. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between those with refractory versus TRH. We provide the first evidence that RfH is associated with worse long-term health outcomes compared with TRH.

Refractory Hypertension and Risks of Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in Patients With Resistant Hypertension: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background The long-term prognosis of refractory hypertension (RfHT), defined as failure to control blood pressure (BP) levels despite an antihypertensive treatment with ≥5 medications including a diuretic and mineraloreceptor antagonist, has never been evaluated. Methods and Results In a prospective cohort study with 1576 patients with resistant hypertension, patients were classified as refractory or nonrefractory based on uncontrolled clinic (or office) and ambulatory BPs during the first 2 years of follow-up. Multivariate Cox analyses examined the associations between the diagnosis of RfHT and the occurrence of total cardiovascular events (CVEs), major adverse CVEs, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, after adjustments for other risk factors. In total, 135 patients (8.6%) had RfHT by uncontrolled ambulatory BPs and 167 (10.6%) by uncontrolled clinic BPs. Over a median Follow-Up of 8.9 years, 338 total CVEs occurred (288 major adverse CVEs, including 124 myocardial infarctions, and 96 strokes), and 331 patients died, 196 from cardiovascular causes. The diagnosis of RfHT, using either classification by clinic or ambulatory BPs, was associated with significantly higher risks of major adverse CVEs, cardiovascular mortality, and stroke incidence, with hazard ratios varying from 1.54 to 2.14 in relation to patients with resistant nonrefractory hypertension; however, the classification based on ambulatory BPs was better in identifying higher risk patients than the classification based on clinic BP levels. Conclusions Patients with RfHT, particularly when defined by uncontrolled ambulatory BP levels, had higher risks of major adverse CVEs and mortality in relation to patients with resistant but nonrefractory hypertension, supporting the concept of refractory hypertension as a true extreme phenotype of antihypertensive treatment failure.

Association of the genetic ancestry with resistant hypertension in the ReHOT (Resistant Hypertension Optimal Treatment) randomized study

Resistant hypertension (RH) is defined as uncontrolled blood pressure despite treatment with three or more antihypertensive medications, including, if tolerated, a diuretic in adequate doses. It has been widely known that race is associated with blood pressure control. However, intense debate persists as to whether this is solely explained by unadjusted socioeconomical variables or genetic variation. In this scenario, the main aim was to evaluate the association between genetic ancestry and resistant hypertension in a large sample from a multicenter trial of stage II hypertension, the ReHOT study. Samples from 1,358 patients were analyzed, of which 167 were defined as resistant hypertensive. Genetic ancestry was defined using a panel of 192 polymorphic markers. The genetic ancestry was similar in resistant (52.0% European, 36.7% African and 11.3% Amerindian) and nonresistant hypertensive patients (54.0% European, 34.4% African and 11.6% Amerindian) (p > 0.05). However, we observed a statistically suggestive association of African ancestry with resistant hypertension in brown patient group. In conclusion, increased African genetic ancestry was not associated with RH in Brazilian patients from a prospective randomized hypertension clinical trial.

Role of estrogen receptors in modulating aldosterone biosynthesis and blood pressure

Blood pressure is lower in premenopausal women than in age-matched men; after menopause blood pressure values and the prevalence of hypertension show opposite trends indicating that estrogens contribute to maintaining normal blood pressure values in women. In experimental studies menopause increases aldosterone levels, an effect alleviated by estrogen treatment. We have recently discovered a role of estrogen receptors (ER) in controlling aldosterone biosynthesis in the human adrenocortical zona glomerulosa, which expresses both the classical ERα and β receptors and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). We have also identified that GPER mediates an aldosterone-induced aldosterone response. We found that 17 β-estradiol exerts a dual effect: it blunts aldosterone production via ERβ, but displays a potent aldosterone secretagogue effect via GPER activation after ERβ blockade. Thus, in premenopausal women high estrogen levels might tonically blunt aldosterone synthesis via ERβ, thereby maintaining normal blood pressure; after menopause loss of this estrogen-mediated inhibition can contribute to increasing blood pressure via GPER-mediated aldosterone release. The additional findings that GPER mediates an aldosterone-induced stimulation of aldosterone biosynthesis and that GPER predominates in aldosterone-producing adenomas strongly involves this receptor in the pathophysiology of primary aldosteronism. Our purpose here was to provide an update on estrogen receptor function in the normal adrenal cortex and its relevance for the sex differences in blood pressure in light of the newly discovered role of GPER in regulating aldosterone synthesis. The implications of the novel knowledge for the treatment of estrogen-dependent malignancies with ER modulators are also discussed.

Münchausen Syndrome as an Unusual Cause of Pseudo-resistant Hypertension: A Case Report

Münchausen syndrome can be characterized by simulated illness, pathological lying and wandering from place to place (the patient typically presents to numerous hospitals). Individuals with elevated blood pressure due to non-adherence to medication have the so-called pseudo-resistant hypertension.

A 45-year-old woman was admitted to hospital on an emergency basis because of a hypertensive crisis. Despite combination antihypertensive treatment, normalization of blood pressure was not achieved and a device to produce a therapeutic arteriovenous fi stula was implanted. Aft er the procedure, a signifi cant increase in pulmonary artery pressure was observed and closure of the fistula was performed by implantation of the stent graft . The suspicion was raised that the patient had not been taking her prescribed medications. Therefore, blood samples were taken and the serum was analyzed for presence of the prescribed drugs (atorvastatin, bisoprolol, chlorthalidone, clonidine, doxazosin, furosemide, nitrendipine, oxazepam and valsartan). The results confirmed suspected failure of the patient to take the prescribed medications.

Münchausen syndrome is usually first suspected when inexplicable laboratory test results are noted. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Münchausen syndrome with pseudo-resistant hypertension leading to the implantation of a device to produce a therapeutic arteriovenous fi stula.

Resistant/Refractory Hypertension and Sleep Apnoea: Current Knowledge and Future Challenges

Hypertension is one of the most frequent cardiovascular risk factors. The population of hypertensive patients includes some phenotypes whose blood pressure levels are particularly difficult to control, thus putting them at greater cardiovascular risk. This is especially true of so-called resistant hypertension (RH) and refractory hypertension (RfH). Recent findings suggest that the former may be due to an alteration in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis, while the latter seems to be more closely related to sympathetic hyper-activation. Both these pathophysiological mechanisms are also activated in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). It is not surprising, therefore, that the prevalence of OSA in RH and RfH patients is very high (as reflected in several studies) and that treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) manages to reduce blood pressure levels in a clinically significant way in both these groups of hypertensive patients. It is therefore necessary to incorporate into the multidimensional treatment of patients with RH and RfH (changes in lifestyle, control of obesity and drug treatment) a study of the possible existence of OSA, as this is a potentially treatable disease. There are many questions that remain to be answered, especially regarding the ideal combination of treatment in patients with RH/RfH and OSA (drugs, renal denervation, CPAP treatment) and patients' varying response to CPAP treatment.

The Potential Role of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Refractory Hypertension

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review seeks to present an overview of the recently found association between refractory hypertension (RfH) and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

RECENT FINDINGS

RfH was recently defined as an extreme phenotype of resistant hypertension characterized by the lack of blood pressure control despite using ≥ 5 antihypertensive drugs at optimal doses. Current data support that the pathophysiological pathway of both types of hypertension is different. The main mechanism involved in resistant hypertension is fluid retention whereas in the case of RfH is the sympathetic over-activity. OSA is now recognized as a cause of hypertension (especially in the case of difficult-to-treat hypertension). It seems that the biological mechanism linking OSA and arterial hypertension is the sympathetic over-activity related to the respiratory events (apnoeas and hypopnoeas) during the night. So, it is not surprising that, although the literature is scarce, some studies have found a very high prevalence of OSA and an excess of sympathetic activity in patients with RfH. Finally, a very recent study demonstrated that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment, which controls sympathetic activation in OSA patients, achieves very significant reductions in blood pressure levels in RfH patients, even greater than in those with resistant (non-refractory) hypertension. The prevalence of OSA in patients with RfH is very high. CPAP treatment achieves a clinically significant reduction in blood pressure levels in those patients with RfH (especially in night readings). Patients with RfH must be sent to a sleep unit for a study.

Beyond Resistant Hypertension

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an independent cause of resistant hypertension (RH) but its association with refractory hypertension (RfH), a recently described form of severe hypertension, has not yet been investigated. This study seeks to analyze the association between the presence and severity of OSA/OSA syndrome with RfH and to compare it with a group of patients with OSA/OSA syndrome and RH. We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study of consecutive patients diagnosed with RH by means of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Those patients with blood pressure levels ≥130/80 mm Hg, despite taking at least 5 antihypertensive drugs, were considered to have true RfH. All patients underwent a sleep study and completed a detailed clinical history related to OSA, current medication, and cardiovascular diseases. Overall, 229 patients were included (mean age, 58.3 years; 63% male), of whom 42 (18.3%) satisfied the criteria for RfH. Compared with those with RH, patients with RfH had a higher cardiovascular risk profile, higher blood pressure measurements, and a 2-fold greater risk of having both severe OSA (odds ratio, 2.1, with a prevalence of apnea-hypopnea index ≥15, 95.2% and apnea-hypopnea index ≥30, 64.3%) and OSA syndrome (apnea-hypopnea index ≥5+Epworth Sleepiness Scale >10; odds ratio, 1.9; 52.4% versus 37.3%; P=0.023), as well as higher OSA severity (apnea-hypopnea index, 41.8 versus 33.8 events/h; P=0.026). Patients with RfH had an even greater prevalence and severity of OSA and OSA syndrome than RH patients, highlighting the need to identify these patients to refer them to sleep units on a preferential basis.

Resistant Hypertension: Diagnosis and Management

Resistant hypertension is defined as high blood pressure requiring 3 or more medications for adequate control or controlled blood pressure requiring 4 or more medications. Considering the growing prevalence of hypertension and the strong link with cardiovascular disease, it is vital to understand the causes and treatment of resistant hypertension. This review article starts with an overview of the prevalence and little-known pathophysiology of resistant hypertension. Afterward, we discuss the evaluation and management of suspected secondary resistant hypertension in 2 broad categories: pseudoresistant hypertension and true resistant hypertension. Strategies for the identification and management of pseudoresistant hypertension are addressed. In addition, causes of true resistant hypertension, such as obstructive sleep apnea, primary aldosteronism, and renal artery stenosis, are examined along with their respective treatments. Finally, treatment of resistant hypertension is reviewed including pharmacologic treatments and novel procedural interventions for resistant hypertension. Overall, the review hopes to provide practitioners with a cohesive approach for the diagnosis and treatment of resistant hypertension.

Resistant and refractory arterial hypertension: similarities and differences, new approaches to diagnosis and treatment

Refractory hypertension is a novel phenotype of antihypertensive treatment failure. The terms "refractory hypertension" and "resistant hypertension" were considered interchangeable for a long time and related to difficult-to-treat hypertension. Recently, the term "refractory hypertension" refers to a very small group of patients who do not really reach the target blood pressure for maximum antihypertensive therapy. In this review we discuss similarities and contrasts definition, prevalence, patient characteristics, risk factors, and possible underlying etiologies of refractory and resistant hypertension.

Controlled Versus Uncontrolled Resistant Hypertension: Are They in the Same Bag?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Resistant hypertension (RHTN) is a condition in which besides the antihypertensive therapy using at least three different drugs (including a diuretics), brachial blood pressure does not reach the target (e.g., 140/90 mmHg).

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite the diversity of clinical presentations, we divide RHTN in two major groups according to blood pressure and number of drugs taken: controlled (C-RHTN) and uncontrolled (UC-RHTN) resistant hypertension, with refractory hypertension (RfHTN) included in the latter subgroup. Both C-RHTN and UC-RHTN are heterogenic and complex syndromes. To better approach this matter, the some pathophysiological mechanisms (increased volemia, hyperactivity, plasma cortisol, adipocitokines, and other pro-inflammatory factors), have a pivotal clinical role. Some features (African ethnic, obesity, age > 60, LV hypertrophy, and vascular stiffness) increase the risk of refractoriness as well as worst prognosis. Based on increased target organ damage, cardiovascular risk and events will be addressed in this review. Our conclusion is that although both C-RHTN and UC-RHTN are extreme phenotypes of hard-to-control BP, some mechanisms of the disease and clinical expressions are distinct. According to these differences, "UC-RHTN and C-RHTN are not in the same bag."

Resistant Hypertension On Treatment (ResHypOT): sequential nephron blockade compared to dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plus bisoprolol in the treatment of resistant arterial hypertension - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Resistant hypertension is characterized when the blood pressure (BP) remains above the recommended goal after taking three antihypertensive drugs with synergistic actions at their maximum recommended tolerated doses, preferably including a diuretic. Identifying the contribution of intravascular volume and serum renin in maintaining BP levels could help tailor more effective hypertension treatment, whether acting on the control of intravascular volume or sodium balance, or acting on the effects of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) on the kidney.

Methods/design

This is a randomized, open-label, clinical trial is designed to compare sequential nephron blockade and its contribution to the intravascular volume component with dual blockade of the RAAS plus bisoprolol and the importance of serum renin in maintaining BP levels. The trial has two arms: sequential nephron blockade versus dual blockade of the RAAS (with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor plus a beta-blocker) both added-on to a thiazide diuretic, a calcium-channel blocker and an angiotensin receptor-1 blocker (ARB). Sequential nephron blockade consists in a progressive increase in sodium depletion using a thiazide diuretic, an aldosterone-receptor blocker, furosemide and, finally, amiloride.

On the other hand, the dual blockade of the RAAS consists of the progressive addition of an ACE inhibitor until the maximum dose and then the administration of a beta-blocker until the maximum dose. The primary outcomes will be reductions in the systolic BP, diastolic BP, mean BP and pulse pressure (PP) after 20 weeks of treatment. The secondary outcomes will evaluate treatment safety and tolerability, biochemical changes, evaluation of renal function and recognition of hypotension (ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM)). The sample size was calculated assuming an alpha error of 5% to reject the null hypothesis with a statistical power of 80% giving a total of 40 individuals per group.

Discussion

In recent years, the cost of resistant hypertension (RH) treatment has increased. Thus, identifying the contribution of intravascular volume and serum renin in maintaining BP levels could help tailor more effective hypertension treatment, whether by acting on the control of intravascular volume or sodium balance, or by acting on the effects of the RAAS on the kidney.

Trial registration

Sequential Nephron Blockade vs. Dual Blockade Renin-angiotensin System + Bisoprolol in Resistant Arterial Hypertension (ResHypOT). ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02832973. Registered on 14 July 2016. First received: 12 June 2016. Last updated: 18 July 2016.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2343-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Resistant Hypertension: Mechanisms and Treatment

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Emerging evidence suggests that multiple mechanisms may be responsible for the development of treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH). This review aims to summarize recent data on potential mechanisms of resistance and discuss current pharmacotherapeutic options available in the management of TRH.

RECENT FINDINGS

Excess sodium and fluid retention, increased activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and heightened activity of the sympathetic nervous system appear to play an important role in development of TRH. Emerging evidence also suggests a role for arterial stiffness and, potentially, gut dysbiosis. Therapeutic approaches for TRH should include diuretic optimization and the addition of aldosterone antagonists as the preferred fourth agent in most patients. Further therapeutic approaches may be guided by the suspected underlying mechanism of TRH in conjunction with other patient-specific factors. The pathophysiology of TRH is multifaceted; however, increasing evidence supports several mechanisms that may be targeted to improve blood pressure control among patients with TRH. Further studies are needed to determine whether such approaches may be more effective than usual care.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Refractory Hypertension

Background

We aimed to estimate the prevalence of refractory hypertension (RfH) and to determine the clinical differences between these patients and resistant hypertensives (RH). Secondly, we assessed the prevalence of white‐coat RfH and clinical differences between true‐ and white‐coat RfH patients.

Methods and Results

The present analysis was conducted on the Spanish Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry database containing 70 997 treated hypertensive patients. RH and RfH were defined by the presence of elevated office blood pressure (≥140 and/or 90 mm Hg) in patients treated with at least 3 (RH) and 5 (RfH) antihypertensive drugs. White‐coat RfH was defined by RfH with normal (<130/80 mm Hg) 24‐hour blood pressure. A total of 11.972 (16.9%) patients fulfilled the standard criteria of RH, and 955 (1.4%) were considered as having RfH. Compared with RH patients, those with RfH were younger, more frequently male, and after adjusting for age and sex, had increased prevalence of target organ damage, and previous cardiovascular disease. The prevalence of white coat RfH was lower than white‐coat RH (26.7% versus 37.1%, P<0.001). White‐coat RfH, in comparison with those with true RfH, showed a lower prevalence of both left ventricular hypertrophy (22% versus 29.7%; P=0.018) and microalbuminuria (28.3% versus 42.9%; P=0.047).

Conclusions

The prevalence of RfH was low and these patients had a greater cardiovascular risk profile compared with RH. One out of 4 patients with RfH have normal 24‐hour blood pressure and less target organ damage, thus indicating the important role of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in guiding antihypertensive therapy in difficult‐to‐treat patients.