Masked Hypertension and Elevated Nighttime Blood Pressure in CKD: Prevalence and Association with Target Organ Damage

Prevalence and factors associated with masked hypertension in chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVES

Optimal blood pressure (BP) control is key to prevent cardiovascular complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We described the prevalence and factors associated with masked hypertension in CKD.

METHODS

We analyzed 1113 ambulatory 24-h BP monitoring (ABPM) records of 632 patients referred for kidney function evaluation. Masked hypertension was defined as office BP less than 140/90 mmHg but daytime BP at least 135/85 mmHg or nighttime BP at least 120/70 mmHg. Factors associated with masked hypertension were assessed with mixed logistic regression models.

RESULTS

At inclusion, 424 patients (67%) had controlled office BP, of whom 56% had masked hypertension. In multivariable analysis conducted in all visits with controlled office BP ( n  = 782), masked hypertension was positively associated with male sex [adjusted OR (95% confidence interval) 1.91 (1.16-3.27)], sub-Saharan African origin [2.51 (1.32-4.63)], BMI [1.11 (1.01-1.17) per 1 kg/m 2 ], and albuminuria [1.29 [1.12 - 1.47] per 1 log unit), and was negatively associated with plasma potassium (0.42 [0.29 - 0.71] per 1 mmol/L) and 24-h urinary potassium excretion (0.91 [0.82 - 0.99] per 10 mmol/24 h) as well as the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) blockers (0.56 [0.31 - 0.97]) and diuretics (0.41 [0.27 - 0.72]).

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the routine use of ABPM in CKD, as more than half of the patients with controlled office BP had masked hypertension. Weight control, higher potassium intake (with caution in advanced CKD), correction of hypokalemia, and larger use of diuretics and RAAS blockers could be potential levers for better out-of-office BP control.

A European Renal Association (ERA) synopsis for nephrology practice of the 2023 European Society of Hypertension (ESH) Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension

In June 2023, the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) presented and published the new 2023 ESH Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension, a document that was endorsed by the European Renal Association (ERA). Following the evolution of evidence in recent years, several novel recommendations relevant to the management of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) appeared in these Guidelines. These include recommendations for target office blood pressure (BP) <130/80 mmHg in most and against target office BP <120/70 mmHg in all patients with CKD; recommendations for use of spironolactone or chlorthalidone for patients with resistant hypertension with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) higher or lower than 30 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; use of a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor for patients with CKD and estimated eGFR ≥20 mL/min/1.73 m2; use of finerenone for patients with CKD, type 2 diabetes mellitus, albuminuria, eGFR ≥25 mL/min/1.73 m2 and serum potassium <5.0 mmol/L; and revascularization in patients with atherosclerotic renovascular disease and secondary hypertension or high-risk phenotypes if stenosis ≥70% is present. The present report is a synopsis of sections of the ESH Guidelines that are relevant to the daily clinical practice of nephrologists, prepared by experts from ESH and ERA. The sections summarized are those referring to the role of CKD in hypertension staging and cardiovascular risk stratification, the evaluation of hypertension-mediated kidney damage and the overall management of hypertension in patients with CKD.

Design of a pragmatic randomized implementation effectiveness trial testing a health system wide hypertension program for older adults

Hypertension control remains poor. Multiple barriers at the level of patients, providers, and health systems interfere with implementation of hypertension guidelines and effective lowering of BP. Some strategies such as self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) and remote management by pharmacists are safe and effectively lower BP but have not been effectively implemented. In this study, we combine such evidence-based strategies to build a remote hypertension program and test its effectiveness and implementation in large health systems. This randomized, controlled, pragmatic type I hybrid implementation effectiveness trial will examine the virtual collaborative care clinic (vCCC), a hypertension program that integrates automated patient identification, SMBP, remote BP monitoring by trained health system pharmacists, and frequent patient-provider communication. We will randomize 1000 patients with uncontrolled hypertension from two large health systems in a 1:1 ratio to either vCCC or control (usual care with education) groups for a 2-year intervention. Outcome measures including BP measurements, cognitive function, and a symptom checklist will be completed during study visits. Other outcome measures of cardiovascular events, mortality, and health care utilization will be assessed using Medicare data. For the primary outcome of proportion achieving BP control (defined as systolic BP < 130 mmHg) in the two groups, we will use a generalized linear mixed model analysis. Implementation outcomes include acceptability and feasibility of the program. This study will guide implementation of a hypertension program within large health systems to effectively lower BP.

Orthostatic hypotension, orthostatic hypertension, and ambulatory blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease in CRIC

BACKGROUND

Orthostatic changes in blood pressure (BP), either orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic hypertension (OHTN), are common among patients with chronic kidney disease. Whether they are associated with unique out-of-office BP phenotypes is unknown.

METHODS

CRIC is a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study of participants with CKD. BP measured at 2 min after standing and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) were obtained on 1386 participants. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a 20 mmHg drop in SBP or 10 mmHg drop in DBP when changing from seated to standing positions. Systolic and diastolic night-to-day ratio was also calculated. OHTN was defined as a 20 or 10 mmHg rise in SBP or DBP when changing from a seated to a standing position. White-coat effect (WCE) was defined as seated minus daytime ambulatory BP.

RESULTS

Of the 1386 participants (age: 58 ± 10 years, 44% female, 39% black), 68 had orthostatic hypotension and 153 had OHTN. Postural reduction in SBP or DBP was positively associated with greater systolic and diastolic WCE and systolic and diastolic night-to-day ratio. Orthostatic hypotension was positively associated with diastolic WCE (β = 3 [0.2, 5.9]). Diastolic OHTN was negatively associated with systolic WCE (β = -4 [-7.2, -0.5]) and diastolic WCE (β = -6 [-8.1, -4.2]).

CONCLUSION

Postural change in BP was associated with WCE and night-to-day-ratio. Orthostatic hypotension was positively associated with WCE and OHTN was negatively associated with WCE. These findings strengthen observations that postural changes in BP may associate with distinct BP patterns throughout the day. These observations are informative for subsequent research tailoring orthostatic hypotension and OHTN treatment to specific BP phenotypes.

Strategies to prevent, diagnose and treat kidney disease related to systemic arterial hypertension: a narrative review from the Mexican Group of Experts on Arterial Hypertension

This narrative review highlights strategies proposed by the Mexican Group of Experts on Arterial Hypertension endorsed to prevent, diagnose, and treat chronic kidney disease (CKD) related to systemic arterial hypertension (SAH). Given the growing prevalence of CKD in Mexico and Latin America caused by SAH, there is a need for context-specific approaches to address the effects of SAH, given the diverse population and unique challenges faced by the region. This narrative review provides clinical strategies for healthcare providers on preventing, diagnosing, and treating kidney disease related to SAH, focusing on primary prevention, early detection, evidence-based diagnostic approaches, and selecting pharmacological treatments. Key-strategies are focused on six fundamental areas: 1) Strategies to mitigate kidney disease in SAH, 2) early detection of CKD in SAH, 3) diagnosis and monitoring of SAH, 4) blood pressure targets in patients living with CKD, 5) hypertensive treatment in patients with CKD and 6) diuretics and Non-Steroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Inhibitors in Patients with CKD. This review aims to provide relevant strategies for the Mexican and Latin American clinical context, highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to managing SAH, and the role of community-based programs in improving the quality of life for affected individuals. This position paper seeks to contribute to reducing the burden of SAH-related CKD and its complications in Mexico and Latin America.

24-Hour Blood Pressure Variability Via Ambulatory Monitoring and Risk for Probable Dementia in the SPRINT Trial

BACKGROUND

Blood pressure variability is an emerging risk factor for dementia, independent and oftentimes beyond mean blood pressure levels. Recent evidence from interventional cohorts with rigorously controlled mean blood pressure levels suggest blood pressure variability over months to years remains a risk for dementia, but no prior studies have investigated relationships with blood pressure variability over shorter time periods.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the potential effect of ambulatory blood pressure variability on the rate of cognitive outcomes under intensive vs standard blood pressure lowering.

DESIGN

Post hoc analysis of the randomized, controlled, open-label Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial clinical trial.

SETTING

Multisite Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial.

PARTICIPANTS

793 participants at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and without history of dementia at study randomization.

INTERVENTION

Standard (<140 mmHg systolic blood pressure target) vs intensive (<120 mmHg systolic blood pressure target) lowering of mean blood pressure.

MEASUREMENTS

24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring 27 months after treatment randomization (standard vs intensive) and follow-up cognitive testing. Intraindividual blood pressure variability was calculated as the average real variability over 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime periods. Participants were categorized into 3 adjudicated clinical outcomes: no cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, probable dementia. Cox proportional hazards models examined the potential effect of ambulatory blood pressure variability on the rate of cognitive outcomes under intensive vs standard blood pressure lowering. Associations with mean blood pressure were also explored.

RESULTS

Higher systolic 24-hour blood pressure variability was associated with increased risk for probable dementia in the standard group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 2.56 [95% CI 1.16, 5.62], p = 0.019) but not in the intensive group (HR: 0.54 [95% CI 0.24, 1.23], p = 0.141). Similar findings were observed with daytime systolic blood pressure variability but not nighttime blood pressure variability. Mean blood pressure was not associated with cognitive outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher systolic 24-hour and daytime blood pressure variability via ambulatory monitoring is associated with risk for dementia under standard blood pressure treatment. Findings support prior evidence that blood pressure variability remains a risk for dementia despite strict control of mean blood pressure levels.

Management of traditional risk factors for the development and progression of chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its downstream complications (i.e. cardiovascular) are a major source of morbidity worldwide. Additionally, deaths due to CKD or CKD-attributable cardiovascular disease account for a sizeable proportion of global mortality. However, the advent of new pharmacotherapies, diagnostic tools, and global initiatives are directing greater attention to kidney health in the public health agenda, including the implementation of effective strategies that (i) prevent kidney disease, (ii) provide early CKD detection, and (iii) ameliorate CKD progression and its related complications. In this Review, we discuss major risk factors for incident CKD and CKD progression categorized across cardiovascular (i.e. hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiorenal syndrome), endocrine (i.e. diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, testosterone), lifestyle (i.e. obesity, dietary factors, smoking), and genetic/environmental (i.e. CKDu/Mesoamerican nephropathy, APOL1, herbal nephropathy) domains, as well as scope, mechanistic underpinnings, and management.

Different time points, different blood pressures: complexity of blood pressure measurement in hemodialysis patients

OBJECTIVE

We used our established database to investigate predialysis blood pressure (BP) measurements at different time points.

METHODS

Our study period spanned from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. The different time points included: the long interdialytic interval versus the short interdialytic interval; different hemodialysis shifts. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the association between BP measurements and different time points.

RESULTS

A total of 37 081 cases of hemodialysis therapies were included. After a long interdialytic interval, predialysis SBP and DBP were significantly elevated. Predialysis BP was 147.72/86.73 mmHg on Monday and 148.26/86.52 mmHg on Tuesday, respectively. Both predialysis SBP and DBP were higher in the a.m. shift. The mean BP in the a.m. and p.m. shifts were 147.56/87 mmHg and 144.83/84.64 mmHg, respectively. In both diabetic nephropathy and non-diabetic nephropathy patients, higher SBP measurements after a long interdialytic interval were observed; however, in diabetic nephropathy patients, we did not find significant differences in DBP among different dates. In diabetic nephropathy and non-diabetic nephropathy patients, we observed that the effect of different shifts on BP was similar. In Monday, Wednesday and Friday subgroups, the long interdialytic interval was also associated with BP; however, in Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday subgroups, different shifts but not the long interdialytic interval was associated with BP.

CONCLUSION

The long interdialytic interval and different hemodialysis shifts have a significant effect on predialysis BP in patients with hemodialysis. When interpreting BP in patients with hemodialysis, different time points is a confounder.

Masked hypertension in a middle-aged population and its relation to manifestations of vascular disease

BACKGROUND

Masked hypertension is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, previous large studies have not used the same device to measure office and home blood pressure (BP) and adhered to current home BP measurement recommendations of the European Society of Hypertension. We aimed to characterize masked hypertension and explore its relation to manifestations of CVD.

METHODS

A randomly selected cohort of 5057 participants aged 50-64 years from the Swedish CardioPulmonary BioImage Study (SCAPIS) was evaluated with office and home BP using the semi-automatic Omron M10-IT oscillometric device. Additional analyses included pulse wave velocity (PWV) and coronary artery calcium score (CACS).

RESULTS

Of participants, 4122 did not have current antihypertensive treatment, and were thus included in our analyses. Of these, 2634 (63.9%) had sustained normotension, and 172 (4.2%) had masked hypertension. Participants with masked hypertension vs. sustained normotension were more often men (66.9 vs. 46.2%, P  < 0.001). Those with masked hypertension had higher mean PWV [9.3 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI 9.1-9.5) vs. 8.3 (95% CI 8.2-8.4) m/s, P  < 0.001] and odds ratio for CACS at least 100 [1.65 (95% CI 1.02-2.68), P  = 0.040]. These associations were similar in a posthoc analysis of masked hypertension and sustained normotension, matched for age, sex and systolic office BP.

CONCLUSION

Masked hypertension was associated with markers of CVD. This suggests that home BP is a better predictor of risk, even when the recordings are performed with the same measurement device, in a population-based setting with randomized recruitment.

Hypertension as Cardiovascular Risk Factor in Chronic Kidney Disease

Hypertension is the leading modifiable cause of premature death and hence one of the global targets of World Health Organization for prevention. Hypertension also affects the great majority of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both hypertension and CKD are intrinsically related, as hypertension is a strong determinant of worse renal and cardiovascular outcomes and renal function decline aggravates hypertension. This bidirectional relationship is well documented by the high prevalence of hypertension across CKD stages and the dual benefits of effective antihypertensive treatments on renal and cardiovascular risk reduction. Achieving an optimal blood pressure (BP) target is mandatory and requires several pharmacological and lifestyle measures. However, it also requires a correct diagnosis based on reliable BP measurements (eg, 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, home BP), especially for populations like patients with CKD where reduced or reverse dipping patterns or masked and resistant hypertension are frequent and associated with a poor cardiovascular and renal prognosis. Even after achieving BP targets, which remain debated in CKD, the residual cardiovascular risk remains high. Current antihypertensive options have been enriched with novel agents that enable to lower the existing renal and cardiovascular risks, such as SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitors and novel nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Although their beneficial effects may be driven mostly from actions beyond BP control, recent evidence underline potential improvements on abnormal 24-hour BP phenotypes such as nondipping. Other promising novelties are still to come for the management of hypertension in CKD. In the present review, we shall discuss the existing evidence of hypertension as a cardiovascular risk factor in CKD, the importance of identifying hypertension phenotypes among patients with CKD, and the traditional and novel aspects of the management of hypertensives with CKD.

Implementing a home-based virtual hypertension programme-a pilot feasibility study

INTRODUCTION

Implementing a health system-based hypertension programme may lower blood pressure (BP).

METHODS

We performed a randomized, controlled pilot study to assess feasibility, acceptability, and safety of a home-based virtual hypertension programme integrating evidence-based strategies to overcome current barriers to BP control. Trained clinical pharmacists staffed the virtual collaborative care clinic (vCCC) to remotely manage hypertension using a BP dashboard and phone "visits" to monitor BP, adherence, side effects of medications, and prescribe anti-hypertensives. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension were identified via electronic health records. Enrolled patients were randomized to either vCCC or usual care for 3 months. We assessed patients' home BP monitoring behaviour, and patients', physicians', and pharmacists' perspectives on feasibility and acceptability of individual programme components.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (vCCC = 17, usual care = 14) from six physician clinics completed the pilot study. After 3 months, average BP decreased in the vCCC arm (P = 0.01), but not in the control arm (P = 0.45). The vCCC participants measured BP more (9.9 vs. 1.2 per week, P < 0.001). There were no intervention-related adverse events. Participating physicians (n = 6), pharmacists (n = 5), and patients (n = 31) rated all programme components with average scores of >4.0, a pre-specified benchmark. Nine adaptations in vCCC design and delivery were made based on potential barriers to implementing the programme and suggestions.

CONCLUSION

A home-based virtual hypertension programme using team-based care, technology, and a logical integration of evidence-based strategies is safe, acceptable, and feasible to intended users. These pilot data support studies to assess the effectiveness of this programme at a larger scale.

Toward Precision Medicine: Circadian Rhythm of Blood Pressure and Chronotherapy for Hypertension - 2021 NHLBI Workshop Report

Healthy individuals exhibit blood pressure variation over a 24-hour period with higher blood pressure during wakefulness and lower blood pressure during sleep. Loss or disruption of the blood pressure circadian rhythm has been linked to adverse health outcomes, for example, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and chronic kidney disease. However, the current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches lack sufficient attention to the circadian rhythmicity of blood pressure. Sleep patterns, hormone release, eating habits, digestion, body temperature, renal and cardiovascular function, and other important host functions as well as gut microbiota exhibit circadian rhythms, and influence circadian rhythms of blood pressure. Potential benefits of nonpharmacologic interventions such as meal timing, and pharmacologic chronotherapeutic interventions, such as the bedtime administration of antihypertensive medications, have recently been suggested in some studies. However, the mechanisms underlying circadian rhythm-mediated blood pressure regulation and the efficacy of chronotherapy in hypertension remain unclear. This review summarizes the results of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute workshop convened on October 27 to 29, 2021 to assess knowledge gaps and research opportunities in the study of circadian rhythm of blood pressure and chronotherapy for hypertension.

Hypertension in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Update on Diagnosis and Management

Hypertension (HTN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are pathophysiologic states that are intimately related, such that long-term HTN can lead to poor kidney function, and renal function decline can lead to worsening blood pressure (BP) control. HTN in CKD is caused by an interplay of factors, including salt and water retention, with extracellular volume expansion, sympathetic nervous system overactivity, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation, and endothelial dysfunction. BP variability in the CKD population is significant, however, and thus requires close monitoring for appropriate management. With accumulating evidence, the diagnosis as well as management of HTN in CKD has been evolving in the last decade. In this comprehensive review based on current evidence and recommendations, we summarize the basics of pathophysiology, BP variability, diagnosis, and management of HTN in CKD with an emphasis on special populations with CKD.

Dipping Status, Ambulatory Blood Pressure Control, Cardiovascular Disease, and Kidney Disease Progression: A Multicenter Cohort Study of CKD

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring allows concurrent evaluation of BP control and nocturnal BP dipping status, both related to adverse outcomes. However, few studies have assessed the prognostic role of combining information on dipping status and achieved ambulatory BP in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective observational cohort study.

SETTING & PARTICIPANTS

906 patients with hypertension and CKD attending 1 of 3 Italian nephrology clinics.

EXPOSURE

Four groups were defined by simultaneously classifying systolic ambulatory BP levels as being at goal (daytime SBP <135 and nighttime SBP <120 mm Hg) or above goal, and the presence or absence of nocturnal dipping (nighttime to daytime SBP ratio of <0.9 versus ≥0.9).

OUTCOME

The composite of time to initiation of maintenance dialysis or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline ≥50%, and the composite of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events.

ANALYTICAL APPROACH

Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate risks of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular disease in the 4 exposure groups where nocturnal dipping with systolic ambulatory BP at goal was the reference group.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 63.8 years, 61% were male, and 26.4% had diabetes; eGFR was 41.1 ± 20.8 mL/min/1.73 m². The dipping prevalence in each of the 4 groups was as follows: nocturnal dipping with ambulatory BP at goal, 18.6%; no nocturnal dipping with ambulatory BP at goal, 20.5%; nocturnal dipping with ambulatory BP above goal, 11.8%; and no nocturnal dipping with ambulatory BP above goal, 49.1%. Among patients with ambulatory BP above goal, the risk of cardiovascular events was greater in the absence (HR, 2.79 [95% CI, 1.64-4.75]) and presence (HR, 2.05 [95% CI, 1.10-3.84]) of nocturnal dipping. The same held true for risk of kidney disease progression (HRs of 2.40 [95% CI, 1.58-3.65] and 2.11 [95% CI, 1.28-3.48] in the absence and presence of nocturnal dipping, respectively). Patients at the ambulatory BP goal but who did not experience nocturnal dipping had an increased risk of the cardiovascular end point (HR, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.15-3.68]) and the kidney disease progression outcome (HR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.17-2.82]).

LIMITATIONS

Lack of a diverse cohort (all those enrolled were White). Residual uncontrolled confounding.

CONCLUSIONS

Systolic ambulatory BP above goal or the absence of nocturnal dipping, regardless of ambulatory BP, is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression among patients with CKD.

PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring improves the identification of individuals at high risk of clinical disease outcomes. Those with uncontrolled ambulatory BP are known to have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression, particularly when their ambulatory BP does not decline by at least 10% at night. Whether this is also true for patients with presence of optimal ambulatory BP levels but a BP pattern of no nighttime decline is largely unknown. We measured ambulatory BP in 900 Italian patients with CKD and followed them for several years. We found that, independent of ambulatory BP level, the absence of nighttime reductions in BP was associated with worsening of CKD and more frequent cardiovascular events. The absence of nighttime declines in BP is an independent risk factor for adverse events among patients with CKD. Future studies are needed to examine whether treating the absence of nighttime declines in BP improves clinical outcomes.

Prediction of Masked Uncontrolled Hypertension Detected by Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring

The aim of this study was to provide prediction models for masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) detected by ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring in an Italian population. We studied 738 treated hypertensive patients with normal clinic BPs classified as having controlled hypertension (CH) or MUCH if their daytime BP was < or ≥135/85 mmHg regardless of nighttime BP, respectively, or CH or MUCH if their 24-h BP was < or ≥130/80 mmHg regardless of daytime or nighttime BP, respectively. We detected 215 (29%) and 275 (37%) patients with MUCH using daytime and 24-h BP thresholds, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that males, those with a smoking habit, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and a clinic systolic BP between 130−139 mmHg and/or clinic diastolic BP between 85−89 mmHg were associated with MUCH. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve showed good accuracy at 0.78 (95% CI 0.75−0.81, p < 0.0001) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.73−0.80, p < 0.0001) for MUCH defined by daytime and 24 h BP, respectively. Internal validation suggested a good predictive performance of the models. Males, those with a smoking habit, LVH, and high-normal clinic BP are indicators of MUCH and models including these factors provide good diagnostic accuracy in identifying this ambulatory BP phenotype.

Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics including Patterns of Antihypertensive Drug Administration of the Different Home Blood Pressure Phenotypes in Treated Hypertensive Patients

Quality and quantity of home blood pressure (BP) control are important for optimizing hypertensive treatment. The prevalence and associated clinical characteristics of the different home blood pressure phenotypes in treated hypertensive patients were not elucidated. This study was conducted in Siriraj Hospital, Thailand from 2019 to 2020. We included treated hypertensive patients with ≥1 antihypertensive drug and had self-home BP measurement data. Both traditional (office BP < 140/90 mmHg and home BP < 130/80 mmHg) and new BP targets (office and home BP < 130/80 mmHg) were used for the classification of BP phenotypes. Home BP phenotypes consisted of controlled hypertension (all home BPs achieved home BP targets), isolated uncontrolled morning hypertension (MoHT) (only morning BP was above home BP targets), isolated uncontrolled evening hypertension (EHT) (only evening BP was above home BP targets), and combined morning-evening uncontrolled hypertension (MoEHT) (all home BPs were above home BP targets). Our study included 1,406 patients. The total mean age was 62.94 ± 13.97 years. There were 39.40% men. The prevalence of each home BP phenotype (by traditional BP target) was 55.76%, 12.66%, 7.40%, and 24.18% in controlled (home) hypertension, MoHT, EHT, and MoEHT, respectively. Classical BP control status was 35.21% well-controlled hypertension, 30.01% white-coat uncontrolled hypertension, 9.74% masked uncontrolled hypertension, and 25.04% sustained uncontrolled hypertension. The multivariable analysis showed the significantly associated factor of MoHT was the presence of previous cardiovascular disease (adjusted OR 5.54, 95% CI (2.02–15.22); $p$ value = 0.001). Taking once-daily long-acting antihypertensive drugs in the morning were significantly associated with both EHT (adjusted OR 0.20, 95% CI (0.05–0.82); $p$ value = 0.025) and MoEHT (adjusted OR 0.20, 95% CI (0.04–1.00); $p$ value = 0.049). These results were consistent in groups classified by new home BP target <130/80 mmHg.

CVD risk in non-albuminuric chronic kidney disease in hypertensive, non-diabetic subjects: A post-hoc analysis from SPRINT

Introduction

The risks associated with non-albuminuric chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been investigated in diabetes mellitus but not in hypertensive patients. The objective of this study was to investigate the risks associated with non-albuminuric CKD in treated hypertensive patients in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) population.

Methods

Based on baseline albuminuria status (urine albumin/creatinine ratio [UACR], ≥30 or <30 mg/g) and the levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate ([eGFR], ≥60, 45-59, or <45 mL/min/1.73 m²), participants were classified into six subgroups to assess the risks associated with the primary outcome and mortality. The primary composite outcome was myocardial infarction, other acute coronary syndromes, stroke, heart failure, or mortality from cardiovascular causes.

Results

During a median follow-up of 3.26 years in 8,866 hypertensive patients, there were 352 deaths and 547 participants with the primary outcome. In adjusted Cox regression analysis using non-CKD and non-albuminuria (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m² combined with UACR <30 mg/g) as reference, albuminuria whether combined with CKD or not, showed significantly higher risk of both primary outcome and all-cause mortality in the total population. Whereas, non-albuminuria only combined with eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m² showed significantly higher risk of both primary outcome and all-cause mortality in the intensive-therapy group.

Discussion

Non-albuminuric CKD did have higher risk of all-cause and CVD mortality only if the eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m². Increased albuminuria conferred higher risk of primary outcome and all-cause mortality irrespective the levels of eGFR.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, number: NCT01206062.

Hypertension management in patients with cardiovascular comorbidities

Arterial hypertension is a leading cause of death globally. Due to ageing, the rising incidence of obesity, and socioeconomic and environmental changes, its incidence increases worldwide. Hypertension commonly coexists with Type 2 diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking leading to risk amplification. Blood pressure lowering by lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive drugs reduce cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Guidelines recommend dual- and triple-combination therapies using renin–angiotensin system blockers, calcium channel blockers, and/or a diuretic. Comorbidities often complicate management. New drugs such as angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists improve CV and renal outcomes. Catheter-based renal denervation could offer an alternative treatment option in comorbid hypertension associated with increased sympathetic nerve activity. This review summarises the latest clinical evidence for managing hypertension with CV comorbidities.

Circadian clocks of the kidney: function, mechanism, and regulation

An intrinsic cellular circadian clock is located in nearly every cell of the body. The peripheral circadian clocks within the cells of the kidney contribute to the regulation of a variety of renal processes. In this review, we summarize what is currently known regarding the function, mechanism, and regulation of kidney clocks. Additionally, the effect of extrarenal physiological processes, such as endocrine and neuronal signals, on kidney function is also reviewed. Circadian rhythms in renal function are an integral part of kidney physiology, underscoring the importance of considering time of day as a key biological variable. The field of circadian renal physiology is of tremendous relevance, but with limited physiological and mechanistic information on the kidney clocks this is an area in need of extensive investigation.

The Mediating Role of Psychological Well-Being in the Relationship between Self-Care Knowledge and Disease Self-Management in Patients with Hypertensive Nephropathy

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between self-care knowledge, psychological well-being, and disease self-management in patients with hypertensive nephropathy, and to assess the effect of psychological well-being as a mediator of self-care knowledge and disease self-management. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. The 220 patients with hypertensive nephropathy were recruited from a teaching hospital in Taiwan using purposive sampling. The average age was 70.14 (SD = 11.96) years old. Among them, 128 (58.2%) were male and 92 (41.8%) were female. Instruments included a hypertensive nephropathy self-care knowledge scale, the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index, and the chronic kidney disease self-management instrument. The mediating effect was determined with linear regression models and the Sobel test. Results: The total explanatory variation of age, systolic blood pressure, psychological well-being, and self-care knowledge on the disease self-management was 27.7%. Psychological well-being was the most important explanatory factor and alone explains 16%. Psychological well-being was a partial mediator of self-care knowledge and quality of life in patients with hypertensive nephropathy, with a total effect of 23.2%. Conclusions: This study showed that older patients with hypertensive nephropathy and those with a higher systolic blood pressure had lower levels of disease self-management. The higher the patients’ self-care knowledge and psychological well-being, the better their disease self-management.

Association of Nighttime Masked Uncontrolled Hypertension With Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Kidney Function Among Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Not Receiving Dialysis

IMPORTANCE

Nighttime hypertension is prevalent and associated with adverse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but nighttime hypertension, a subtype of masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH), is often undetected among patients with controlled office blood pressure. Little attention has been paid to patients with CKD and nighttime MUCH.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of nighttime MUCH and its associations with cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in patients with CKD who were not receiving dialysis.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study included patients with nondialysis CKD and hypertension, enrolled in Shanghai, China, from July 2012 through November 2020 and followed up for a median of 39 months.

EXPOSURES

Participants were classified as having controlled hypertension, sustained hypertension, and MUCH, which was further divided into isolated nighttime MUCH and day-night MUCH, assessed by office and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was determined by echocardiography. The composite kidney outcome consisted of end-stage kidney diseases (ESKD) and a reduction of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by 50% or more. Logistic and Cox regression assessed the associations of hypertension subtypes with LVH and kidney outcomes.

RESULTS

The 675 patients (425 [63.0%] men; mean [SD] age, 50.8 [15.9] years; mean [SD] eGFR, 61.6 [29.4] mL/min/1.73 m2) included 125 (19.3%) with controlled hypertension, 244 (37.6%) with MUCH, and 280 (43.1%) sustained hypertension. Among patients with MUCH, 2 (0.8%) had isolated daytime MUCH, 154 (63.1%) had isolated nighttime MUCH, and 88 (36.1%) had day-night MUCH. During a median (IQR) follow-up of 39 (19-64) months, 130 composite kidney events, including 97 ESKD events, occurred. Compared with controlled hypertension, MUCH and sustained hypertension were associated with LVH (eg, MUCH: odds ratio [OR], 2.94; 95% CI, 1.18-7.34; P = .02) and the composite kidney outcome (eg, MUCH: hazard ratio [HR], 4.12; 95% CI, 1.75-9.73; P = .001) after adjustment for age, sex, proteinuria, eGFR, and other baseline risk factors. Multivariate-adjusted associations were also significant between day-night MUCH and LVH (OR, 3.26; 95% CI, 1.15-9.25) and between isolated nighttime MUCH and the composite kidney outcome (HR, 4.27; 95% CI, 1.69-10.77).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, nighttime MUCH was common and associated with LVH and poor kidney outcomes among patients with hypertension and nondialysis CKD. These findings suggest that ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was inadequately used in patients with CKD and hypertension, calling for more widespread use, even in patients with controlled office hypertension.

Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose Control and Associated Factors Among Adults with Hypertension at Three Public Hospitals in Southern Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION

There is inadequate information on blood pressure (BP) and FBG (Blood pressure and Fasting blood glucose) control among adult hypertensive patients in Southern Ethiopia.

AIM

To determine the level and factors associated with poor BP and FBG control among adult hypertensive patients on regular follow-up at three public hospitals RESULTS: We included 406 adult hypertensives with mean age of 55.87 ± 11.03 years. Mean systolic BP was 134.46 ± 13.44 mmHg; and mean diastolic BP was 82.10 ± 9.44 mmHg. More than eight out of 205 (86.2%) of patients did not achieve BP and FBG target level. Having body mass index 18-24.9 kg/m², Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.317 (95% C.I. for AOR, 0.135-0.740, p = 0.008); having no comorbidity, AOR = 0.425 (95% C.I. for AOR, 0.232-0.779, p = 0.006); physically activity, AOR = 0.303 (95% C.I., 0.110-0.829, p = 0.020); having low perceived health risk, AOR = 0.095 (95% C.I., 0.014-0.632, p = 0.015); taking monotherapy, AOR = 3.34 (95% C.I. for AOR, 1.121-10.524, p = 0.033); and history of hospitalization, AOR = 7.048 (95% C.I. for AOR, 2.486-19.954, p = 0.000) were associated with poor BP and FBG control.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of BP and FBG control was low. Improving screening of hypertensive patients for diabetes; addressing obesity and mental health; strengthening healthy life style interventions and enhancing appropriate dose intensification of prescribed anti-hypertensives by responsible bodies are critical to improve BP and FBG control.

Blood Pressure and Chronic Kidney Disease Progression: An Updated Review

Hypertension (HTN) is common in chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it may aggravate CKD progression. The optimal blood pressure (BP) value in CKD patients is not established yet, although systolic BP ≤130 mmHg is acceptable as a target. Continuous BP monitoring is essential to detect the different variants of high BP and monitor the treatment response. Various methods of BP measurement in the clinic office and at home are currently used. One of these methods is ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), by which BP can be closely assessed for even diurnal changes.

We conducted a non-systematic literature review to explore and update the association between high BP and the course of CKD and to review various BP monitoring methods to determine the optimal method for BP recording in CKD patients. PubMed, EMBASE, Google, Google Scholar, and Web Science were searched for published reviews and original articles on BP and CKD by using various phrases and keywords such as "hypertension and CKD", "CKD progression and hypertension", "CKD stage and hypertension", "BP control in CKD", "BP measurement methods", "diurnal BP variation effect on CKD progression", and "types of hypertension." We evaluated and discussed published articles relevant to the review objective. Before preparing the final draft of this article, each author was assigned a section of the topic to read, research deeply, and write a summary about the assigned section. Then a summary of each author's contribution was collected and discussed in several group sessions.

Early detection of high BP is essential to prevent CKD development and progression. Although the latest Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines suggest that a systolic BP ≤120 mmHg is the target toprevent CKD progression, systolic BP ≤130 mmHg is universally recommended.ABPM is a promising method to diagnose and follow up on BP control; however, the high cost of the new devices and patient unfamiliarity with them have proven to be major disadvantages with regard to this method.

Current applications and limitations of European guidelines on blood pressure measurement: implications for clinical practice

Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular (CV) risk factor, strongly and independently associated with an increased risk of major CV outcomes, including myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal disease and death due to CV causes. Effective control of hypertension is of key importance for reducing the risk of hypertension-related CV complications, as well as for reducing the global burden of CV mortality. However, several studies reported relatively poor rates of control of high blood pressure (BP) in a setting of real-life practice. To improve hypertension management and control, national and international scientific societies proposed several educational and therapeutic interventions, among which the systematic implementation of out-of-office BP measurements represents a key element. Indeed, proper assessment of individual BP profile, including home, clinic and 24-h ambulatory BP levels, may improve awareness of the disease, ensure high level of adherence to prescribed medications in treated hypertensive patients, and thus contribute to ameliorate BP control in treated hypertensive outpatients. In line with these purposes, recent European guidelines have released practical recommendations and clear indications on how, when and how properly measuring BP levels in different clinical settings, with different techniques and different methods. This review aimed at discussing current applications and potential limitations of European guidelines on how to measure BP in office and out-of-office conditions, and their potential implications in the daily clinical management of hypertension.

KDOQI US Commentary on the 2021 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Blood Pressure in CKD

The Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) convened a work group to review the 2021 KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) guideline for the management of blood pressure in chronic kidney disease (CKD). This commentary is the product of that work group and presents the recommendations and practice points from the KDIGO guideline in the context of US clinical practice. A critical addition to the KDIGO guideline is the recommendation for accurate assessment of blood pressure using standardized office blood pressure measurement. In the general adult population with CKD, KDIGO recommends a goal systolic blood pressure less than 120 mm Hg on the basis of results from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) and secondary analyses of the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes-Blood Pressure (ACCORD-BP) trial. The KDOQI work group agreed with most of the recommendations while highlighting the weak evidence base especially for patients with diabetes and advanced CKD.

Measurement of Blood Pressure in Chronic Kidney Disease: Time to Change Our Clinical Practice - A Comprehensive Review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is extremely common all over the world and is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The great majority of CKD patients have hypertension, which raises the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), end-stage kidney disease, and mortality. Controlling hypertension in patients with CKD is critical in our clinical practice since it slows the course of the disease and lowers the risk of CVD. As a result, accurate blood pressure (BP) monitoring is crucial for CKD diagnosis and therapy. Three important guidelines on BP thresholds and targets for antihypertensive medication therapy have been published in the recent decade emphasizing the way we measure BP. For both office BP and out-of-office BP measuring techniques, their clinical importance in the management of hypertension has been well defined. Although BP measurement is widely disseminated and routinely performed in most clinical settings, it remains unstandardized, and practitioners frequently fail to follow the basic recommendations to avoid measurement errors. This may lead to misdiagnosis and wrong management of hypertension, especially in CKD patients. Here, we review presently available all BP measuring techniques and their use in clinical practice and the recommendations from various guidelines and research gaps emphasizing CKD patients.

Why take organ damage in hypertension seriously?

The focus of recent European guidelines has been early initiation of antihypertensive therapy in risk groups, rapid achievement of target blood pressure with fixed combinations of antihypertensive drugs, and the best possible management of an individuals cardiovascular risk. Early intervention in the development of hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) has been shown to have an effect on the subsequent reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events. The point of HMOD origination correlates with the magnitude and duration of blood pressure elevation, and there is no clearly defined boundary from which vascular damage begins to develop. A reduction in blood pressure with pharmacotherapy demonstrably decreases the risk of ischaemic heart disease, stroke, as well as the mortality rate (1). Large clinical trials have consistently shown a significant reduction in the risk of these complications with antihypertensive medications across the entire spectrum from mild to severe hypertension, including hypertension in the elderly as well as isolated systolic hypertension (2). Based on the latest knowledge, a reduction in blood pressure by a mere 5 mm Hg has a cardioprotective effect even in normotensive individuals, which fundamentally changes the view on the diagnosis and definition of hypertension as a disease (3).

The roles of sodium and volume overload on hypertension in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events, and the disease burden is rising rapidly. An important contributor to CV events and CKD progression is high blood pressure (BP). The main mechanisms of hypertension in early and advanced CKD are renin-angiotensin system activation and volume overload, respectively. Sodium retention is well known as a factor for high BP in CKD. However, a BP increase in response to total body sodium or volume overload can be limited by neurohormonal modulation. Recent clinical trial data favoring intensive BP lowering in CKD imply that the balance between volume and neurohormonal control could be revisited with respect to the safety and efficacy of strict volume control when using antihypertensive medications. In hemodialysis patients, the role of more liberal use of antihypertensive medications with the concept of functional dry weight for intensive BP control must be studied.

New Aspects in the Management of Hypertension in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease not on Renal Replacement Therapy

With chronic kidney disease (CKD) being a global arising health problem, strategies for delaying kidney disease progression and reducing the high cardiovascular risk inherent to CKD, are the main objectives of the actual management of patients with kidney diseases. In these patients, the control of arterial hypertension is essential, as high blood pressure (BP) is a strong determinant of worst cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Achieving target blood pressures recommended by international guidelines is mandatory and often demands a multiple levels management, including several pharmacological and lifestyle measures. Even in the presence of adequate BP control, the residual cardiovascular risk remains high. In this respect, the recent demonstration that novel agents such as sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors or the new non-steroidal mineralocorticoid antagonist finerenone can retard the progression of kidney diseases and reduce cardiovascular mortality on top of standard of care treatment with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors represent enormous progresses. These studies also demonstrate that cardiovascular and renal protection can be obtained beyond blood pressure control. Other promising novelties are still to come such as renal denervation and endothelin receptor antagonists in the setting of diabetic and non-diabetic kidney diseases. In the present review, we shall discuss the classic and the new aspects for the management of hypertension in CKD, integrating the new data from recent clinical studies.

Prediction of Masked Hypertension and Masked Uncontrolled Hypertension Using Machine Learning

Objective: This study aimed to develop machine learning-based prediction models to predict masked hypertension and masked uncontrolled hypertension using the clinical characteristics of patients at a single outpatient visit.

Methods: Data were derived from two cohorts in Taiwan. The first cohort included 970 hypertensive patients recruited from six medical centers between 2004 and 2005, which were split into a training set (n = 679), a validation set (n = 146), and a test set (n = 145) for model development and internal validation. The second cohort included 416 hypertensive patients recruited from a single medical center between 2012 and 2020, which was used for external validation. We used 33 clinical characteristics as candidate variables to develop models based on logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGboost), and artificial neural network (ANN).

Results: The four models featured high sensitivity and high negative predictive value (NPV) in internal validation (sensitivity = 0.914–1.000; NPV = 0.853–1.000) and external validation (sensitivity = 0.950–1.000; NPV = 0.875–1.000). The RF, XGboost, and ANN models showed much higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (0.799–0.851 in internal validation, 0.672–0.837 in external validation) than the LR model. Among the models, the RF model, composed of 6 predictor variables, had the best overall performance in both internal and external validation (AUC = 0.851 and 0.837; sensitivity = 1.000 and 1.000; specificity = 0.609 and 0.580; NPV = 1.000 and 1.000; accuracy = 0.766 and 0.721, respectively).

Conclusion: An effective machine learning-based predictive model that requires data from a single clinic visit may help to identify masked hypertension and masked uncontrolled hypertension.

Lower ambulatory nocturnal SBP is associated with less cardiovascular and renal damage in normotensive hospitalized patients with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE

The impact of nocturnal blood pressure (BP) on target organ damage (TOD) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with normotension has not been established. In this study, we determined whether nocturnal BP is correlated with cardiovascular and renal damage independent of the 24-h BP in CKD patients with normotension or hypertension.

METHODS

A total of 1166 hospitalized patients with CKD not requiring dialysis were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, 421 and 745 of whom had normotension and hypertension, respectively. TOD was assessed by the left ventricular mass index (LVMI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and presence of proteinuria. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between nocturnal BP and TOD.

RESULTS

In the multivariable-adjusted models, including the 24-h BP, nocturnal SBP was independently associated with the LVMI, eGFR and proteinuria in patients with normotension (P < 0.05), while the nocturnal DBP was not correlated with proteinuria. The nocturnal SBP was associated with LVMI and proteinuria, but not the eGFR in patients with hypertension. We did not demonstrate an association between nocturnal DBP and TOD in these patients. When nocturnal SBP in patients with normotension was further divided into tertiles [tertile 1 (<104 mmHg), tertile 2 (104-114 mmHg) and tertile 3 (≥114 mmHg)], multivariate analysis showed that tertile 3 was independently associated with TOD.

CONCLUSION

Nocturnal SBP was shown to be an independent risk factor for TOD in patients with normotension. Targeting a nocturnal ambulatory SBP to less than 114 mmHg or even less than 104 mmHg may help prevent TOD in patients with CKD.

24-h-Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Sub-Saharan Africa: Hypertension Phenotypes and Dipping Patterns in Malawian HIV+ Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy

Background:

Cardiovascular disease and especially hypertension are a growing problem among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objectives:

As robust data on hypertension phenotypes associated with distinct cardiovascular risks among PLHIV are limited, we aimed to assess the frequency of white-coat (WCH), masked (MH) hypertension, and blood pressure dipping-patterns in a group of Malawian PLHIV.

Methods:

As part of the prospective Lighthouse-Tenofovir-Cohort-Study, we analyzed clinical, laboratory and 24-h-ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) data of PLHIV from urban Lilongwe with treated or untreated hypertension or raised office blood pressure (OBP) during routine study-visits.

Results:

118 PLHIV were included and data of 117 participants could be analyzed. Twenty–four-hour ABPM normotension was found in a total of 73 PLHIV including 14/37 on antihypertensive treatment (37.8%). Using strict definitions, i.e. normal OBP plus normal mean BP for all periods of ABPM, controlled hypertension was found in only 4/37 (10.8%) PLHIV on antihypertensive treatment while true normotension was observed in 10/24 untreated patients (41.7%) with previously diagnosed hypertension and 22/56 patients (39.3%) without a medical history of hypertension. WCH with normal BP during all periods of 24-h-ABPM was identified in 12/64 OBP-hypertensive PLHIV (18.8%), primarily in patients with grade 1 hypertension (11/41 patients; 26.8%). MH was found in 17/53 PLHIV with OBP-normotension (32.1%), predominantly in patients with high normal BP (11/20 patients; 55%). The estimated glomerular filtration rate tended to be lower in MH compared to strictly defined normotensive PLHIV (92.0±20.4 vs. 104.8±15.7 ml/min/m²). 64.1 percent of PLHIV (59.5% with 24-h hypertension and 66.7% with 24-h normotension) had abnormal systolic dipping.

Conclusion:

The high prevalence of WCH and MH with signs of early renal end-organ damage and an abnormal dipping in approximately 2/3 of PLHIV warrants further investigation as these factors may contribute to the increased cardiovascular risk in PLHIV in resource-limited settings like Malawi.

Clinical Trial Registration:

https://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02381275), registered March 6th, 2015.

Association of Arterial Stiffness With Chronic Kidney Disease Progression and Mortality

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern. Despite many potentially life-threatening conditions that can accompany kidney disease, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in these patients. Adjusted-for-age mortality from CVD in patients with end-stage renal disease is 10-30 times higher than in the general population. A decrease in renal function accelerates the development of cardiac pathology. Simultaneous exposure of CVD and CKD plays an important role in the relationship between arterial stiffness (AS) and estimated glomerular filtration rate. But there is a controversy as to whether the AS causes deterioration in kidney function, if renal dysfunction leads to AS, or the relationship is reciprocal. Hence, several studies that recruited high-risk populations reached a conclusion that comorbidities might lead to both AS and decline in kidney function over time. A number of studies have shown that several markers of AS, such as pulse pressure, central and peripheral pressure are associated with the development of CKD. This review takes into account the theoretical background, current status, and future potential of the techniques that measure AS within context of CKD assessment and management.

Association Between Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping and Chronic Kidney Disease Among Patients With Controlled Office Blood Pressure

BACKGROUND

Although abnormal blood pressure (BP) patterns are associated with adverse cardiorenal outcomes, their associations are yet unquantified by nocturnal dipping status. We examined the association of nocturnal BP dipping pattern with albuminuria and kidney function among participants with controlled hypertension without prior advanced kidney disease.

METHODS

Ambulatory BP (ABP) measurements were collected from 995 middle-aged, cardiology clinic patients with controlled office BP (OBP) (<140/90 mm Hg). The magnitude of dipping was calculated as the difference between daytime and nighttime systolic BP (SBP) divided by daytime SBP. Accordingly, the participants were categorized as extreme-dipper (≥20%), dipper (10% to <20%), non-dipper (0% to <10%), or reverse-dipper (<0%). We analyzed the cross-sectional associations of dipping with albuminuria (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g) and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (<60 ml/min/1.73 m2), adjusting for OBP/ABP, antihypertensive class, body mass index, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, socioeconomic status, and health behavior.

RESULTS

The participants (mean age 60.2 years; 52.9% male) consisted of 13.5% extreme-dippers, 43.1% dippers, 34.7% non-dippers, and 8.7% reverse-dippers. In reference to dippers, odds ratios [95% confidence interval] for albuminuria were 1.73 [1.04-2.60] in reverse-dippers, 1.67 [1.20-2.32] in non-dippers, and 0.62 [0.38-1.04] in extreme-dippers. Likewise, abnormal dipping profile was associated with decreased kidney function: reverse-dipping, 2.02 [1.06-3.84]; non-dipping, 1.98 [1.07-3.08]; extreme-dipping, 0.69 [0.20-1.17]. The associations persisted among participants with more conservatively controlled OBP (<130/80 mm Hg).

CONCLUSIONS

Monitoring diurnal and nocturnal BP may identify chronic kidney disease otherwise overlooked based on OBP.

Aortic arch calcification: a novel parameter for prediction of masked hypertension

BACKGROUND

Masked hypertension is directly related to increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality but remains underdiagnosed in clinical practice. The aim of the study was to search the role of aortic arch calcification (AAC) in the diagnosis of masked hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Among the patients who underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in our clinic, those with office blood pressure (OBP) <140/90 mmHg were included in the study population. According to OBP, they were divided into two groups as normal (<130/85 mmHg) and high normal (130-139/85-89 mmHg) OBP groups. Subjects were also investigated for the presence of masked hypertension with ABPM and searched in masked hypertension and control groups. Masked hypertension was defined as in the latest 2017 ACC/AHA Hypertension guideline and was diagnosed as the daytime BP ≥ 135/85 mmHg and nighttime BP ≥ 120/70 mmHg. AAC was evaluated on direct X-ray telecardiography. Diagnosis of masked hypertension was searched depending on the presence of AAC and OBP measurements as well. A total of 216 volunteers were involved in the study [mean age 45.2 ± 12.2 years; female gender 120 (55.5%)]. One hundred ten volunteers (50.9%) had masked hypertension according to the ABPM. AAC was significantly more common in the masked hypertension group (44.5% vs. 26.4%) (P = 0.005). AAC had a positive predictive value of 79% in those with high normal OBP in the diagnosis of masked hypertension, and also AAC had a negative predictive value of 74% in those with normal OBP.

CONCLUSION

AAC can be used as a reliable diagnostic tool to exclude and predict masked hypertension during office examination.

Guide de Pratique Clinique. Prise en charge de l’hypertension artérielle chez l’adulte en Tunisie

Ce document a été réalisé dans le cadre d'une collaboration entre l'Instance Nationale de l’Évaluation et de l'Accréditation en Santé (INEAS), la Société Tunisienne de Cardiologie et de Chirurgie Cardiovasculaire (STCCCV) et la Caisse Nationale d’Assurance Maladie (CNAM).

Nonatherosclerotic Vascular Abnormalities Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease

Nonatherosclerotic vascular diseases are manifested by endothelial dysfunction, hypertension, vascular calcification, coronary microvascular dysfunction, and calciphylaxis. Unfortunately, there are no definitive treatments for many of these disorders other than hypertension. In addition, although hypertension is more difficult to treat in the chronic kidney disease population, it is necessary to try and target a blood pressure of less than 130/80 mm Hg through the use of aggressive angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, diuretics, and other antihypertensive medications. New therapies are being actively investigated in an attempt to treat nonatherosclerotic vascular diseases in the chronic kidney disease population.

Disease Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease Due to Hypertension From 1990 to 2019: A Global Analysis

Background: Although it is widely known that hypertension is an important cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), little detailed quantitative research exists on the burden of CKD due to hypertension.

Objective: The objective of the study is to estimate the global disease burden of CKD due to hypertension and to evaluate the association between the socioeconomic factors and country-level disease burden of CKD due to hypertension.

Methods: We extracted the disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) numbers, rates, and age-standardized rates of CKD due to hypertension from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 database to investigate the time trends of the burden of CKD due to hypertension from 1990 to 2019. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between the age-standardized DALY rate and socioeconomic factors and other related factors obtained from open databases.

Results: Globally, from 1990 to 2019, DALY numbers caused by CKD due to hypertension increased by 125.2% [95% confidential interval (CI), 124.6 to 125.7%]. The DALY rate increased by 55.7% (55.3 to 56.0%) to 128.8 (110.9 to 149.2) per 100,000 population, while the age-standardized DALYs per 100,000 population increased by 10.9% (10.3 to 11.5%). In general, males and elderly people tended to have a higher disease burden. The distribution disparity in the burden of CKD due to hypertension varies greatly among countries. In the stepwise multiple linear regression model, inequality-adjusted human development index (IHDI) [β = −161.1 (95% CI −238.1 to −84.2), P < 0.001] and number of physicians per 10,000 people [β = −2.91 (95% CI −4.02 to −1.80), P < 0.001] were significantly negatively correlated with age-standardized DALY rate when adjusted for IHDI, health access and quality (HAQ), number of physicians per 10,000 people, and population with at least some secondary education.

Conclusion: Improving the average achievements and equality of distribution in health, education, and income, as well as increasing the number of physicians per 10,000 people could help to reduce the burden of CKD due to hypertension. These findings may provide relevant information toward efforts to optimize health policies aimed at reducing the burden of CKD due to hypertension.

Masked morning hypertension correlated with target organ damage in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence of masked morning hypertension and investigate its role in target organ damage in nondialysis patients with chronic kidney disease.

METHODS

A total of 1841 patients with chronic kidney disease admitted to our hospital were recruited. According to measurements of clinic blood pressure and ambulatory blood pressure, they were divided into four groups: normotension, white-coat hypertension, masked morning hypertension, and sustained hypertension. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between masked morning hypertension and cardiovascular and renal parameters.

RESULTS

Overall, 288 (15.6%) patients were diagnosed with masked morning hypertension. Patients with masked morning hypertension had a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy, abnormal carotid intima-media thickness, and impaired renal function when compared with normotensive patients, although lower than those with sustained hypertension. After adjustment for demographics and clinical characteristics, masked morning hypertension was related to cardiovascular damage and renal dysfunction compared with normotension. The odds ratio for left ventricular hypertrophy, abnormal carotid intima-media thickness and impaired renal function was 1.955 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.247-3.065], 1.469 (95% CI: 1.011-2.133), and 1.819 (95% CI: 1.112-2.976), respectively. Masked morning hypertension correlated with target organ damage even when patients with a history of cardiovascular disease were excluded.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of masked morning hypertension in nondialysis chronic kidney disease patients was high, and masked morning hypertension was associated with target organ damage in chronic kidney disease patients.

Chronotherapy for morning blood pressure surge in hypertensive patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) is related to an exaggerated risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality. With increasing attention on circadian change in blood pressure and extensive use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), chronotherapy that administration of medication according to biological rhythm, is reported to improve cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of chronotherapy of antihypertensive drugs upon MBPS in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

A search strategy was applied in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane (Wiley) CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and the Chinese Biomedical literature database. No language and date restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing the efficacy of evening and morning administration of the same medications in adult patients with primary hypertension were included.

RESULTS

A total of ten trials, comprising 1724 participants with a mean age of 61 and 51% female, were included in this study. Combined analysis observed significant reduction of MBPS (- 5.30 mmHg, 95% CI - 8.80 to - 1.80), night-time SBP (- 2.29 mmHg, 95% CI - 4.43 to - 0.15), night-time DBP (- 1.63 mmHg, 95 %CI - 3.23 to - 0.04) and increase in night blood pressure dipping (3.23%, 95% CI 5.37 to 1.10) in evening dosage compared with traditional morning dosage of blood pressure-lowering drugs. No significant difference was found in the incidence of overall adverse effects (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.41) and withdrawal due to adverse effects (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that evening administration of antihypertensive medications exerted better blood pressure-lowering effect on MBPS compared with conventional morning dosage. Safety assessment also indicated that the evening regimen did not increase the risk of adverse events. However, endpoint studies need to be carried out to confirm the significance and feasibility of this treatment regimen in clinical practice.

The Association of Orthostatic Hypotension With Ambulatory Blood Pressure Phenotypes in SPRINT

BACKGROUND

Clinic blood pressure (BP) when measured in the seated position, can miss meaningful BP phenotypes, including low ambulatory BP (white coat effects [WCE]) or high supine BP (nocturnal non-dipping). Orthostatic hypotension (OH) measured using both seated (or supine) and standing BP, could identify phenotypes poorly captured by seated clinic BP alone.

METHODS

We examined the association of OH with WCE and night-to-daytime systolic BP (SBP) in a subpopulation of SPRINT, a randomized trial testing the effects of intensive or standard (<120 vs. <140 mm Hg) SBP treatment strategies in adults at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. OH was assessed during follow-up (6, 12, and 24 months) and defined as a decrease in mean seated SBP ≥20 or diastolic BP ≥10 mm Hg after 1 min of standing. WCE, based on 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring performed at 27 months, was defined as the difference between 27-month seated clinic and daytime ambulatory BP ≥20/≥10 mm Hg. Reverse dipping was defined as a ratio of night-to-daytime SBP >1.

RESULTS

Of 897 adults (mean age 71.5±9.5 years, 29% female, 28% black), 128 had OH at least once. Among those with OH, 15% had WCE (vs. 7% without OH). Moreover, 25% of those with OH demonstrated a non-dipping pattern (vs. 14% without OH). OH was positively associated with both WCE (OR=2.24; 95%CI: 1.28, 4.27) and reverse dipping (OR=2.29; 95% CI: 1.31, 3.99).

CONCLUSIONS

The identification of OH in clinic was associated with two BP phenotypes often missed with traditional seated BP assessments. Further studies on mechanisms of these relationships are needed.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

Trial Number NCT03569020.

Circadian variations in blood pressure and their implications for the administration of antihypertensive drugs: is dosing in the evening better than in the morning?

: Blood pressure (BP) follows a circadian rhythm with a physiological decrease during the night. Studies have demonstrated that nocturnal BP as well as its dipping pattern during night-time have a significant prognostic importance for mortality and the occurrence of cardiovascular events. Therefore, hypertension management guidelines recommend to ascertain that patients treated for hypertension have well controlled BP values around the clock. To improve hypertension control during the night and eventually further reduce cardiovascular events, it has been proposed by some to prescribe at least one antihypertensive medication at bedtime. In this review, we have examined the data which could support the benefits of prescribing BP-lowering drugs at bedtime. Our conclusion is that there is no convincing evidence that the administration of BP-lowering drugs in the evening provides any significant advantage in terms of quality of BP control, prevention of target organ damage or reduction of cardiovascular events. Before changing practice for unproven benefits, it would be wise to wait for the results of the ongoing trials that are addressing this issue.

Which is responsible for target organ damage in masked hypertension? Is it an increase in blood pressure or a disruption of the circadian rhythm?

OBJECTIVE

Masked hypertension (MH) and non-dipping pattern are conditions associated with target organ damage and cardiovascular risk, which are frequently observed together. We aimed to show the relationship between the target organ damage observed in MH and the deterioration in the dipping pattern.

METHODS

Patients who underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and office blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mmHg were retrospectively screened. In ABPM data, those with daytime BP ≥135/85 mmHg and night BP ≥120/70 mmHg were included in the MH group, while the others were included in the normotensive group. The patients were grouped as dipper, non-dipper and reverse-dipper according to ABPM results. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum creatinine levels were used to determine target organ damage.

RESULTS

289 patients [mean age 46.6 ± 12.4 years, 136 (47.1%) males], 154 (53.3%) of whom had MH were included in our study. GFR value was found to be significantly lower, serum creatinine levels and LVMI were significantly higher in patients with MH compared to normotensives (p < .05, for all). When the subgroups were examined, it was found that this difference was associated with the disruption in the dipping pattern. In patients with MH, dipping pattern disruption without change in systolic BP was independently associated with an increase in LVMI (p < .05, for both).

CONCLUSION

Target organ damage seen in MH may be due to the deterioration of the dipping pattern.

Nocturnal Systolic Hypertension and Adverse Prognosis in Patients with CKD

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Nocturnal hypertension is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with CKD. However, the individual association of entities of nocturnal hypertension according to achievement of systolic and/or diastolic BP goals with kidney failure and cardiovascular outcomes of CKD is not clear.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

Our study analyzed data from participants in the Chinese Cohort Study of Chronic Kidney Disease. Nocturnal hypertension was categorized into three entities: isolated nocturnal diastolic hypertension with diastolic BP ≥70 mm Hg and systolic BP <120 mm Hg, isolated nocturnal systolic hypertension with systolic BP ≥120 mm Hg and diastolic BP <70 mm Hg, and nocturnal systolic-diastolic hypertension with both systolic BP ≥120 mm Hg and diastolic BP ≥70 mm Hg. Associations of nocturnal hypertension entities with kidney failure and cardiovascular outcomes were evaluated by Cox regression.

RESULTS

In total, 2024 patients with CKD stages 1-4 were included in our analysis (mean age, 49±14 years; 57% men; eGFR=51±29 ml/min per 1.73 m²; proteinuria: 0.9 [0.4-2.1] g/d). Among them, 1484 (73%) patients had nocturnal hypertension, with the proportions of 26%, 8%, and 66% for isolated nocturnal diastolic hypertension, isolated nocturnal systolic hypertension, and nocturnal systolic-diastolic hypertension, respectively. Three hundred twenty kidney events and 148 cardiovascular events were recorded during median follow-up intervals of 4.8 and 5.0 years for kidney and cardiovascular events, respectively. After adjustment, isolated nocturnal systolic hypertension was associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 3.17; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 6.23). Nocturnal systolic-diastolic hypertension showed a higher risk for both kidney failure (hazard ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 2.49) and cardiovascular outcomes (hazard ratio, 2.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.24 to 3.86). No association was observed between isolated nocturnal diastolic hypertension with either kidney failure or cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSIONS

Nocturnal systolic hypertension, either alone or in combination with diastolic hypertension, is associated with higher risks for adverse outcomes in patients with CKD.

Significance of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in assessment of potential living kidney donors

The most recent British Transplant Society (BTS) guidelines recommend that office blood pressure (BP) monitoring in living donors is sufficient for the assessment of hypertension (HTN) and those with BP >140/90 should be further assessed using ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). ABPM can detect diurnal and nocturnal variation in BP, thus it can identify masked HTN. The aim of the current study is to assess reliability of ABPM vesus office BP monitoring for assessment in living kidney donors. Office and ABPM of all potential kidney donors at a single center from April 2009 to March 2017 were retrospectively reviewed and compared. Age, sex, body mass index, kidney function, and echocardiography results were collected and analyzed. Two hundred and sixteen kidney donors were stratified based on their BP readings into four groups; group 1 (masked HTN: normotensive in office and hypertensive in ABPM), group 2 (sustained normotension: normotensive in office and in ABPM), group 3 (sustained HTN: hypertensive in office and in ABPM), group 4 (white-coat HTN: hypertensive in office and normotensive in ABPM). Thirteen percent of patients were diagnosed with masked HTN. Office systolic BP monitoring was significantly higher in patients older than 50 years old compared to other younger populations. However, this significant difference in systolic BP was diminished when assessment with ABPM was performed. In conclusion, ABPM is a reliable modality for the identification of masked HTN and white coat HTN. Masked HTN is correlated with increased risk of end organ damage and risk of death in potential kidney donors. Transplant physicians cannot rely solely on office BP monitoring in the assessment of potential living kidney donors. ABPM should be integral part of routine assessment of potential living kidney donors.

Abnormal diurnal blood pressure profile and hypertension-mediated organ damage in nondiabetic chronic kidney disease G1-G3b patients

OBJECTIVE

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with high cardiovascular risk. Prevalence of hypertension and hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) increases with CKD progression. Nocturnal blood pressure (BP) is a strong predictor of cardiovascular complications. This cross-sectional study investigated the link between the diurnal BP profile and HMOD in nondiabetic CKD G1-G3b patients.

METHODS

We investigated 109 CKD patients and 41 apparently healthy persons as controls. All subjects underwent 24-ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), echocardiography with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) calculation and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement.

RESULTS

Hypertension was present in 84% of CKD patients. SBP-24 and DBP-24, SBP-day and DBP-day did not differ between CKD and controls. Significant differences were found in SBP-night and DBP-night. The nondipping BP profile (SBP-night/SBP-day ratio ≥0.9) was found in 62% of CKD patients and 32% of controls (P < 0.005). Nocturnal hypertension was found in 56% of CKD patients. LVMI was higher in CKD compared to controls, higher in nondipping than dipping CKD patients, and higher in patients with nocturnal hypertension than without nocturnal hypertension. Abnormal left ventricular geometry was found in 72% nondipping and 43% dipping CKD patients. PWV was higher in CKD than in controls, in patients with nocturnal hypertension than without nocturnal hypertension but did not differ between CKD nondippers and dippers.

CONCLUSION

The nondipping BP profile and nocturnal hypertension are associated with HMOD in G1-G3b CKD patients. Hence, there is a need for more extensive use of ABPM for individual risk assessment and personalization of antihypertensive treatment in CKD patients.

How Do I Manage Hypertension in Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Not on Dialysis? Perspectives from Clinical Practice

In the general population, the prevalence of moderate and severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) is usually below 5% but this figure is often higher in specific groups of patients such as those with type 2 diabetes. Patients with advanced CKD (CKD stage 3b and 4) are at high or very high cardiovascular risk, and their risk of progressing towards end-stage kidney disease (CKD stage 5) and the need of renal replacement therapy are elevated. Hypertension is a major cause of poor cardiovascular and renal outcomes in severe CKD. Therefore, an adequate control of blood pressure (BP) is mandatory. However, normalizing BP is often challenging in these patients because the clinical management of hypertension in advanced CKD is not well defined and rarely supported by large randomized controlled trials. In the present review, we discuss the characteristics of hypertension in advanced CKD, excluding dialysis, and its management integrating data from recent clinical studies and a pragmatic approach enriched by a long-standing clinical experience.

Rosuvastatin Reverses Hypertension-Induced Changes in the Aorta Structure and Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation in Rats Through Suppression of Apoptosis and Inflammation

Vascular remodeling is one of the most critical complications caused by hypertension. Previous studies have demonstrated that rosuvastatin has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiplatelet effects and therefore can be used to treat cardiovascular disease. In this study, we explored the beneficial effects of rosuvastatin in reversing aortic remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats. After treating with different doses of rosuvastatin, its antilipid, antiapoptosis, and anti-inflammatory effects were determined. We also examined whether rosuvastatin can improve the structure and function of the aorta. We found that rosuvastatin treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats for 2 months at 2 different doses can effectively reduce the media thickness of the aorta compared with the control group. Similarly, rosuvastatin improved the vascular relaxation function of the aortic rings at a high level of acetylcholine in vitro. Mechanistically, it was found that rosuvastatin increased the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and plasma nitrite/nitrate levels. Besides, rosuvastatin suppressed the apoptosis and inflammation and upregulated the expression of gap-junction complex connexin 43 both in media and endothelium. Finally, rosuvastatin inhibited the AT₁R/PKCα/HSP70 signaling transduction pathway. In summary, these findings demonstrated that rosuvastatin could improve the vascular structure and function mainly by increasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression and preventing apoptosis and inflammation. This study provided evidence that rosuvastatin has beneficial effects in reversing the remodeling of the aorta due to hypertension.