Pregnancy-Induced hypertension.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) complicates 6-10% of pregnancies. It is defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) >90 mmHg. It is classified as mild (SBP 140-149 and DBP 90-99 mmHg), moderate (SBP 150-159 and DBP 100-109 mmHg) and severe (SBP ≥ 160 and DBP ≥ 110 mmHg). PIH refers to one of four conditions: a) pre-existing hypertension, b) gestational hypertension and preeclampsia (PE), c) pre-existing hypertension plus superimposed gestational hypertension with proteinuria and d) unclassifiable hypertension. PIH is a major cause of maternal, fetal and newborn morbidity and mortality. Women with PIH are at a greater risk of abruptio placentae, cerebrovascular events, organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Fetuses of these mothers are at greater risk of intrauterine growth retardation, prematurity and intrauterine death. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring over a period of 24 h seems to have a role in predicting deterioration from gestational hypertension to PE. Antiplatelet drugs have moderate benefits when used for prevention of PE. Treatment of PIH depends on blood pressure levels, gestational age, presence of symptoms and associated risk factors. Non-drug management is recommended when SBP ranges between 140-149 mmHg or DBP between 90-99 mmHg. Blood pressure thresholds for drug management in pregnancy vary between different health organizations. According to 2013 ESH/ESC guidelines, antihypertensive treatment is recommended in pregnancy when blood pressure levels are ≥ 150/95 mmHg. Initiation of antihypertensive treatment at values ≥ 140/90 mmHg is recommended in women with a) gestational hypertension, with or without proteinuria, b) pre-existing hypertension with the superimposition of gestational hypertension or c) hypertension with asymptomatic organ damage or symptoms at any time during pregnancy. Methyldopa is the drug of choice in pregnancy. Atenolol and metoprolol appear to be safe and effective in late pregnancy, while labetalol has an efficacy comparable to methyldopa. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II antagonists are contraindicated in pregnancy due to their association with increased risk of fetopathy.

Arterial stiffness and SBP variability in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) parameters on arterial stiffness measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) in children and adolescents. METHOD: The study population consisted of 138 consecutive young patients (age range 4-20 years) referred to our hypertension center. Office blood pressure (BP), 24-h ABP monitoring and cf-PWV measurements were performed in all patients. Family history and smoking habits were also recorded. RESULTS: Among the study population, 10.6% had cf-PWV values equal to or higher than the 95th percentile of the study population. cf-PWV was higher in the hypertensive compared to the normotensive patients, classified by ABP levels even after adjustment for age and sex. Significant correlations were found between cf-PWV and age, weight, height, estimated central pulse pressure (PP), office SBP and DBP, and ABP parameters including 24-h SBP and DBP, weighted 24-h SBP variability, 24-h SBP and DBP load, 24-h mean arterial pressure (MAP), daytime and night-time SBP, daytime and night-time SBP variability, but not with office and 24-h heart rate, 24-h heart rate variability, 24-h daytime and night-time PP, DBP variability, ambulatory arterial stiffeness index and BMI z-score. In analysis of covariance, only weighted 24-h SBP variability (ß = 0.28, P < 0.05) and daytime SBP variability (ß = 0.15, P < 0.05) were the independent determinants of cf-PWV in children and adolescents. CONCLUSION: These data may suggest that increased SBP variability is closely associated with arterial stiffness in children and adolescents.

A prospective comparative study of blended and pure coagulation current in endoscopic mucosal resection of large sessile colorectal polyps.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare pure coagulation and blended current in the resection of large colorectal sessile polyps (SPs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and June 2012, 84 patients (45 men, 39 women; median age 66 y; range, 42 to 88 y) with large colorectal SPs (diameter ≥2 cm) were randomized in 1:1 ratio to undergo treatment by the "lift and cut" piecemeal resection technique. A total of 43 blended current subjects (group A) were well matched to 41 pure coagulation current subjects (group B), with a median lesion size of 3.9 cm (group A, 3.7 vs. group B, 4.2 cm; P=0.316), respectively. The rate of complications, the factors that predict complications, and the recurrence of adenoma were analyzed. RESULTS: Complete macroscopic resection was achieved in 39 patients (90.7%) of group A and in 36 patients (87.6%) of group B (P=0.735). Argon plasma coagulation at resection's margins was performed in 10 patients (23.2%) of group A and in 14 patients (34.1%) of group B (P=0.269). Eight patients (9.5%) [group A, n=3 patients (7.1%) vs. group B, n=5 patients (12%); P=0.756] developed immediate (4) or delayed (4) bleeding. Four patients with bleeding were under treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. All bleedings were successfully treated conservatively or with endoclipping and heater probe application. Perforation occurred in 1 patient of each group and was managed by clips closure and antibiotics and right hemicolectomy, respectively. Postpolypectomy syndrome was observed in 2 patients (4.6%) of group A and 3 patients (7.3%) of group B (P=0.834). In 3 patients, the histopathologic analysis of resected SPs revealed invasive carcinoma, and surgical resection was performed in 1 patient. Two patients refused operation. Among the patients who underwent follow-up surveillance colonoscopy, a total recurrence rate of 25.67% of adenomas with no difference was observed between the 2 groups [group A, n=8 patients (21.6%) vs. group B, n=11 patients (31.4%); P=0.345]. Recurrence of adenoma was observed in 12 patients (16.22%) without and in 7 patients (9.46%) with argon plasma coagulation treatment. CONCLUSIONS: No difference was found in the rate of complications between the 2 types of current used in the resection of large colorectal SPs. However, an influence of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on postpolypectomy bleeding was observed, which deserves further investigation.