Autonomic Modulation with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) that leads to increased cardiovascular disease risk. Despite the deleterious consequences of SNS overactivity, there are very few therapeutic options available to combat sympathetic overactivity. Aim: To evaluate the effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on SNS activity in CKD patients. Method: Participants with CKD stages III-IV were randomized to an 8-week MBSR program or Health Education Program (HEP; a structurally parallel, active control group). Primary outcomes were direct intraneural measures of SNS activity directed to muscle (MSNA) via microneurography at rest and during stress maneuvers. Results: 28 participants (63 ±9 years; 86% males) completed the intervention with 16 in MBSR and 12 in HEP. There was a significant Group (MBSR vs. HEP) by Time (baseline vs. post-intervention) interaction in the change in MSNA reactivity to mental stress (p=0.026), with a significant reduction in the mean change in MSNA over 3 minutes of mental arithmetic at post-intervention (10.6 ± 7.1 to 5.0 ± 5.7 bursts/min, p<0.001), while no change was observed within the HEP group (p=0.773). Conclusions: In this randomized controlled trial, patients with CKD had an amelioration of sympathetic reactivity during mental stress following 8-weeks of MBSR but not after HEP. Our findings demonstrate that mindfulness training is feasible and may have clinically beneficial effects on autonomic function in CKD.

Cerebrovascular carbon dioxide reactivity is intact in chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by an elevated risk for cerebrovascular disease including stroke. One mechanism that may contribute to this heightened risk is an impairment in cerebrovascular carbon dioxide reactivity (CVR). We compared CVR between CKD patients stages III-IV and controls (CON) without CKD but matched for hypertension and diabetes status. CVR was measured via 5% CO2 inhalation followed by voluntary hyperventilation in 14 CKD and 11 CON participants while mean arterial pressure, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCAv) were measured continuously. CVR was quantified as the linear relationship between etCO2 and MCAv. We observed no difference in CVR between groups. Hypercapnic CVR: CKD = 1.2 ± 0.9 cm/s/mm Hg, CON = 1.3 ± 0.8 cm/s/mm Hg, hypocapnic CVR: CKD = 1.3 ± 0.9 cm/s/mm Hg, CON = 1.5 ± 0.7 cm/s/mm Hg, integrated CVR: CKD = 1.5 ± 1.1 cm/s/mm Hg, CON = 1.7 ± 0.8 cm/s/mm Hg, p ≥ 0.48. Unexpectedly, CVR was inversely related to estimated glomerular filtration rate in CKD (R2 = 0.37, p = 0.02). We report that CVR remains intact in CKD and is inversely related to eGFR. These findings suggest that other mechanisms beyond CVR contribute to the elevated stroke risk observed in CKD.

Sex differences in sympathetic activity and pulse wave velocity in adults with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by sympathetic nervous system (SNS) overactivity that contributes to increased vascular stiffness and cardiovascular risk. Although it is well established that SNS activity and vascular stiffness are substantially elevated in CKD, whether sex differences in autonomic and vascular function exist in CKD remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that compared with females, males with CKD have higher baseline sympathetic activity that is related to increased arterial stiffness. One hundred twenty-nine participants (96 males and 33 females) with CKD stages III and IV were recruited and enrolled. During two separate study visits, vascular stiffness was assessed by measuring carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), and resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was measured by microneurography. Males with CKD had higher resting MSNA compared with females with CKD (68 ± 16 vs. 55 ± 14 bursts/100 heart beats, P = 0.005), whereas there was no difference in cfPWV between the groups (P = 0.248). Resting MSNA was not associated with cfPWV in both males and females. In conclusion, males with CKD have higher resting sympathetic activity compared with females with CKD. However, there was no difference in vascular stiffness between the sexes. There was no correlation between resting MSNA and cfPWV, suggesting that non-neural mechanisms may play a greater role in the progression of vascular stiffness in CKD, particularly in females.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Males with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have higher resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) compared with females. There was no correlation between MSNA and carotid-to-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), suggesting that non-neural mechanisms may play a greater role in the progression of vascular stiffness in CKD. Sex differences in SNS activity may play a mechanistic role in observations from epidemiological studies suggesting greater cardiovascular risk in males compared with females with CKD.

Isolated Nocturnal Hypertension in People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Nocturnal hypertension (NH) is a potent cardiovascular risk factor described frequently in people with HIV (PWH). Isolated NH (INH) is less well reported in PWH because of the need for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in office normotensive patients. We aim to document the prevalence of NH and INH and the clinical factors associated with these phenotypes. METHODS: Cross-sectional study from an HIV program in Argentina. Office and ABPM measurements, as well as clinical and laboratory exploration, were performed. We defined INH as NH with daytime normotension in patients with office normotension. RESULTS: We obtained ABPM in 66 PWH, 60% male, aged 44.7 (IQR 27-69) years; 87% receiving antiretroviral therapy, and 86.2% virologically suppressed. ABPM-based hypertension prevalence was 54.7% (95% CI: 42.5-66.3). The prevalence of NH was 48.5% (32/66), while the INH prevalence was 19.7% (95% CI: 11.7-30.9). No differences were found regarding sex, HIV viral load, CD4+ T lymphocytes count, or years of infection between normotensive and INH patients. Multiple linear regression model adjusted for sex and age determined that body mass index (ß = 0.93, P < 0.01), plasma uric acid (ß = 0.25, P = 0.04), plasma potassium (ß = -10.1, P = 0.01), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (ß = 0.78, P = 0.02) independently predicted nocturnal systolic blood pressure (BP) in PWH. In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for age and sex, the presence of sedentariness, plasma potassium <4 mEq/L, BMI, and hs-CRP levels were predictors of INH. CONCLUSION: INH is highly prevalent in PWH. Metabolic and inflammatory markers predict nocturnal SBP in PWH.

Social determinants of blood pressure control in a middle-income country in Latin America.

Blood pressure (BP) control is a key intervention to decrease cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the main cause of death in low and middle-income countries (MIC). Scarce data on the determinants of BP control in Latin America are available. Our objective is to explore the role of gender, age, education, and income as social determinants of BP control in Argentina, a MIC with a universal health care system. We evaluated 1184 persons in two hospitals. Blood pressure was measured using automatic oscillometric devices. We selected those patients treated for hypertension. The average BP of less than 140/90 mmHg was considered a controlled BP. We found 638 hypertensive individuals, of whom 477 (75%) were receiving antihypertensive drugs, and of those, 248 (52%) had controlled BP. The prevalence of low education was more frequent in uncontrolled patients (25.3% vs. 16.1%; P < .01). We did not find association between household income, gender, and BP control. Older patients had less BP control (44% of those older than 75 years vs. 60.9% of those younger than 40; test for trend P < .05). Multivariate regression indicates low education (OR 1.71 95% CI [1.05, 2.79]; P = .03) and older age (OR 1.01; 95% IC [1.00, 1.03]) as independent predictors of the lack of BP control. We conclude that rates of BP control are low in Argentina. In a MIC with a universal health care system low education and old age but not household income are independent predictors of the lack of BP control.

[Abdominal aortic aneurysm infected with Campylobacter fetus. Case report and medical literature review]. / Aneurisma de la aorta abdominal infectado por Campylobacter fetus. Comunicación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura médica.

Infection is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Campylobacter fetus has special tropism for vascular endothelium. It has been reported as a cause of infected abdominal aortic aneurysms. The mortality of these patients is high, so an early recognition with a start of antibiotic therapy is crucial. In addition to medical treatment surgery may be required, which has high mortality in patients with many diseases and unstable. We report the case of an old man with infected abdominal aortic aneurysm with C. fetus, whom was decided to be treated with imipenem, due to his cardiovascular history and his general condition at admission. The patient showed a good clinical response without recurrence of symptoms. We also carry out a review of the reported cases.

Aneurisma de la aorta abdominal infectado por Campylobacter fetus: comunicación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura médica / Abdominal aortic aneurysm infected with Campylobacter fetus: case report and medical literature review

Resumen La infección es una complicación infrecuente de los aneurismas de la aorta abdominal. Campylobacter fetus tiene un especial tropismo por el endotelio vascular y ha sido reportado como causa de infección de aneurismas aórticos. Este tipo de infección es de alta mortalidad por lo que el reconocimiento temprano con el inicio precoz de terapia antibacteriana efectiva es clave. Además del tratamiento médico, puede requerirse cirugía, la que tiene una alta letalidad en pacientes inestables y con comorbilidades. Comunicamos el caso clínico de un adulto mayor con un aneurisma de aorta abdominal infectado por C. fetus. Dado su compromiso del estado general y antecedentes cardiovasculares se decidió tratamiento médico con imipenem, con una buena respuesta clínica y microbiológica, sin recurrencia de los síntomas. También se presenta una revisión de los casos publicados.

Abstract Infection is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Campylobacter fetus has special tropism for vascular endothelium. It has been reported as a cause of infected abdominal aortic aneurysms. The mortality of these patients is high, so an early recognition with a start of antibiotic therapy is crucial. In addition to medical treatment surgery may be required, which has high mortality in patients with many diseases and unstable. We report the case of an old man with infected abdominal aortic aneurysm with C. fetus, whom was decided to be treated with imipenem, due to his cardiovascular history and his general condition at admission. The patient showed a good clinical response without recurrence of symptoms. We also carry out a review of the reported cases.

[Hypertension and metabolic syndrome in HIV infected patients]. / Hipertensión y síndrome metabólico en pacientes con virus de la inmunodeficiencia-humana.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a growing cause of mortality between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. Hypertension (HTN) and metabolic syndrome (MS) are important causes of CVD. The prevalence of HTN and MS in HIV infected patients in Córdoba, Argentina is unknown. Our aim is to determine the prevalence of HTN and MS in HIV patients in Córdoba and their association with immunological state, inflammation and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in an observational study. Sixty-five HIV infected patients from the provincial HIV program were randomly selected. Fifty-seven (87%) were on HAART, 39 (60%) were males. The mean age was 44.7 ± 10 years. Mean CD4+ T lymphocytes (CD4+T) count was 404.4 ± 289.6 cells/ml. Viral load (VL) was undetectable in 56 (86.2%). The prevalence of HTN was 40%, and it was associated with the duration of HAART (p < 0.05). There was no association between years of HIV infection, CD4+T, VL and blood pressure. The prevalence of MS was 38.5% (25/65). MS was more frequent between those with HAART (OR: 1.80; CI 95%; 1.43-2.28; p = 0.02). Patients on HAART had higher rates of hypertriglyceridemia, impaired glucose tolerance and lower levels of HDLc (p < 0.01). MS was associated with the HAART duration (p < 0.01). HIV infected patients had a high prevalence of HTN and MS. HAART was associated with both HTN and MS, but there was no association between immunological status, VL or inflammatory markers.

La enfermedad cardiovascular y sus factores de riesgos como hipertensión arterial (HTA) y síndrome metabólico (SM), son una creciente causa de mortalidad entre los infectados con HIV. Nuestros objetivos fueron determinar la prevalencia HTA y SM en pacientes HIV positivos de la ciudad de Córdoba su asociación con el estado inmunológico, inflamación y terapia antirretroviral (TARAA). Fue un estudio aleatorizado de corte transversal. Se incluyeron 65 pacientes HIV positivos del programa provincial HIV-Córdoba, 57 (87%) recibían TARAA, 39 (60%) eran masculinos, con edad promedio de 44.7 ± 10 años. La concentración de linfocitos T CD4+ (LTCD4+) fue 404.4 ± 289.6 cel./ml. La carga viral (CV) fue indetectable en 56 (86.2%). La prevalencia de HTA fue de 40% (26/65) y se asoció a la duración de TARAA (p < 0.05). No hubo asociación entre años de infección por HIV, LTCD4+ y CV con HTA. La prevalencia de SM fue de 38.5% (25/65). El uso de TARAA fue más frecuente en aquellos con SM (OR: 1.80; IC95%: 1.43-2.28; p = 0.02). Pacientes bajo TARAA presentaron alta tasa de hipertrigliceridemia, intolerancia a la glucosa y niveles bajos de HDL (todos p < 0.01). SM se asoció a la duración de TARAA (p < 0.01). La TARAA se asoció a HTA y SM, no encontrándose relación con estado inmunológico, CV o marcadores de inflamación.

Hipertensión y síndrome metabólico en pacientes con Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia-Humana / Hypertension and metabolic syndrome in HIV infected patients

Resumen La enfermedad cardiovascular y sus factores de riesgos como hipertensión arterial (HTA) y síndrome metabólico (SM), son una creciente causa de mortalidad entre los infectados con HIV. Nuestros objetivos fueron determinar la prevalencia HTA y SM en pacientes HIV positivos de la ciudad de Córdoba su asociación con el estado inmunológico, inflamación y terapia antirretroviral (TARAA). Fue un estudio aleatorizado de corte transversal. Se incluyeron 65 pacientes HIV positivos del programa provincial HIV-Córdoba, 57 (87%) recibían TARAA, 39 (60%) eran masculinos, con edad promedio de 44.7 ± 10 años. La concentración de linfocitos T CD4+ (LTCD4+) fue 404.4 ± 289.6 cel./ml. La carga viral (CV) fue indetectable en 56 (86.2%). La prevalencia de HTA fue de 40% (26/65) y se asoció a la duración de TARAA (p < 0.05). No hubo asociación entre años de infección por HIV, LTCD4+ y CV con HTA. La prevalencia de SM fue de 38.5% (25/65). El uso de TARAA fue más frecuente en aquellos con SM (OR: 1.80; IC95%: 1.43-2.28; p = 0.02). Pacientes bajo TARAA presentaron alta tasa de hipertrigliceridemia, intolerancia a la glucosa y niveles bajos de HDL (todos p < 0.01). SM se asoció a la duración de TARAA (p < 0.01). La TARAA se asoció a HTA y SM, no encontrándose relación con estado inmunológico, CV o marcadores de inflamación.

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a growing cause of mortality between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. Hypertension (HTN) and metabolic syndrome (MS) are important causes of CVD. The prevalence of HTN and MS in HIV infected patients in Córdoba, Argentina is unknown. Our aim is to determine the prevalence of HTN and MS in HIV patients in Córdoba and their association with immunological state, inflammation and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in an observational study. Sixty-five HIV infected patients from the provincial HIV program were randomly selected. Fifty-seven (87%) were on HAART, 39 (60%) were males. The mean age was 44.7 ± 10 years. Mean CD4+ T lymphocytes (CD4+T) count was 404.4 ± 289.6 cells/ml. Viral load (VL) was undetectable in 56 (86.2%). The prevalence of HTN was 40%, and it was associated with the duration of HAART (p < 0.05). There was no association between years of HIV infection, CD4+T, VL and blood pressure. The prevalence of MS was 38.5% (25/65). MS was more frequent between those with HAART (OR: 1.80; CI 95%; 1.43-2.28; p = 0.02). Patients on HAART had higher rates of hypertriglyceridemia, impaired glucose tolerance and lower levels of HDLc (p < 0.01). MS was associated with the HAART duration (p < 0.01). HIV infected patients had a high prevalence of HTN and MS. HAART was associated with both HTN and MS, but there was no association between immunological status, VL or inflammatory markers.

Highlights from the International Society of Hypertension's New Investigators Network during 2019.

: The New Investigators Committee (NIC) of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) is a dynamic group of junior doctors and scientists, actively involved in various society activities. This report highlights the events (scientific meetings and summer schools) and activities (social media, mentorship and networking) during 2019 including May Measurement Month and collaborative efforts with the ISH Women in Hypertension Research Committee (WiHRC). The ISH NIC is proud to sponsor awards for outstanding work by junior and emerging researchers at hypertension conferences and also provides opportunities to showcase their work on our social media features such as 'Our Fellows Work' and the New Investigator Spotlight of the month. In 2020, the ISH NIC aims to promote women in leadership roles and to foster strong collaborations with and between society committees and other scientific organizations.