Observational study of hypertension and snoring in Northeastern Italy (Limana Hypertension Study).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate through an observational study on volunteers some important cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension and snoring in a population from Limana, a town of a subalpine zone of northeastern Italy. DESIGN: Limana residents were informed by post and at a public meeting and then attended an outpatient clinic set up by the town of Limana for clinical history, measurement of blood pressure, weight and height. PATIENTS: Of 202 subjects (94 men and 108 women), 92.6% of whom were residents of Limana, having a mean age of 59.7 years, which was significantly higher than the mean (44.7 years), took part in the study. RESULTS: Only 32.3% of study subjects with hypertension had normal blood pressure values while 38.6% of the subjects without hypertension treatment, were hypertensive. We found no significant association between hypertension and smoking and there were significant associations between hypertension and age and hypertension and snoring. CONCLUSIONS: Given the limitations of an observational study based on volunteer participation, nevertheless, our study presents some interesting results: (1) a low number of subjects with hypertension whose blood pressure is well controlled; (2) a significant number of "normal" subjects with high values of blood pressure; (3) no significant relationship between hypertension and smoking; (4) a significant relationship between subjects who snored and were hypertensive.

Prognostic value of elevated white blood cell count in hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low-grade inflammation may contribute to vascular injury and atherogenesis, and has been described in association to high blood pressure (BP). However, as yet the prognostic significance of white blood cell (WBC) count in the setting of uncomplicated hypertension has not been investigated. METHODS: In the Progetto Ipertensione Umbria Monitoraggio Ambulatoriale (PIUMA) study, 1617 white patients with essential hypertension (aged 49 +/- 12 years, 55% men) without prevalent cardiovascular or renal disease underwent off-treatment baseline clinical evaluation and were then followed up for 11 years (average 4.9 years). RESULTS: The WBC count had a direct association with smoking status, serum triglycerides, body mass index, and 24-h BP, and an inverse one with age (all P < .05). During follow-up, 146 patients developed a major fatal or nonfatal cardiovascular event (1.9 events per 100 patient-years). Patients who will develop a cardiovascular event had a higher WBC count (7.08 +/- 1.6 v 6.68 +/- 1.6 x 10(9) cells/L, P = .004). Event rate increased progressively from the first to the fourth quartile of WBC count distribution (1.2, 1.8, 1.9, and 2.3 events per 100 patient-years; P < .01 by log-rank test). After adjustment (Cox model) for the effect of age, gender, diabetes, serum cholesterol, glomerular filtration rate, smoking, left ventricular hypertrophy, and 24-h systolic BP, cardiovascular event risk increased by 24% (95% confidence interval +4% to +48%; P = .019) for each 2 x 10(9) cells/L increase in WBC. CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for average 24-h BP, established risk factors and target organ damage, an elevated WBC count remains an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity in hypertensive patients.

Day-to-day variability of electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients. Influence of electrode placement.

OBJECTIVE: Although electrocardiography (ECG) is recommended in all subjects with hypertension, no information is available on the influence exerted by random changes in the placement of electrodes on the day-to-day variability of ECG criteria for diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). METHODS: In a multicentre, randomized study, two standard 12-lead ECG were recorded, 24 h apart, from 276 consecutive hypertensive patients (mean age 65 +/- 12 years, 49.6% men). Overall, 142 patients were randomized to ECG with the position of electrodes marked on the skin using a dermographic pen and 134 to traditional ECG without marking the position of electrodes. Day-to-day variability of ECG criteria for LVH was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Coefficients of variation (SD of the difference between paired voltage measurements divided by the mean value) varied consistently among subjects randomized to ECG without dermographic pen, ranging from 30% (R wave in lead I) to 81% (R wave in lead V5). Dermographic pen led to a lesser variability of ECG voltages with consequent reduction in the coefficients of variation, which ranged from 26% (R-wave amplitude in lead I) to 43% (R-wave amplitude in lead V5). The proportion of subjects who changed classification status for LVH ('reclassification rate') from the first to the second ECG session (LVH present in session 1 and absent in session 2, or vice versa) decreased for effect of dermographic pen from 11 to 4% (P = 0.040) with the Cornell voltage, from 19 to 11% (P = 0.029) with the Sokolow-Lyon voltage, and from 18 to 7% with the Romhilt-Estes criterion (P = 0.018), but not with other criteria. In particular, the typical strain and the Cornell strain were associated with the lowest reclassification rates regardless of dermographic pen. CONCLUSIONS: Random changes in the position of ECG electrodes strongly impair the day-to-day reproducibility of Cornell voltage, Sokolow-Lyon and Romhilt-Estes criteria for LVH. The typical strain and Cornell strain criteria showed a lesser spontaneous day-to-day variability.

Prognostic impact of prolonged ventricular repolarization in hypertension.

BACKGROUND: QT interval prolongation on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) predicts cardiovascular complications in high-risk subjects, but its prognostic role in uncomplicated hypertension has been understudied. METHODS: For up to 13 years (average, 5.3 years), we followed up 2110 white patients with initially untreated essential hypertension (mean +/- SD age, 49 +/- 12 years; 55% men) without prevalent cardiovascular or renal disease who underwent 12-lead ECG before therapy. We excluded patients with ECG abnormalities including ischemia, necrosis, complete bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias, and ventricular preexcitation. RESULTS: Heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) showed a weak but significant direct association with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.07; P<.001), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.11; P<.001), and Cornell voltage (r = 0.06; P = .006). During follow-up, 84 patients developed new-onset ischemic heart disease (0.75 event per 100 patient-years). After adjustment (Cox model) for the effects of age, sex, diabetes mellitus, serum cholesterol level, serum creatinine level, smoking, left ventricular hypertrophy, and 24-hour systolic blood pressure, patients with a prolonged QTc (>or=450 milliseconds in women and >or=440 milliseconds in men) had a nearly 2-fold increase in risks of coronary events (hazard ratio, 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-3.42; P = .02) and cardiovascular death (hazard ratio, 2.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-4.37; P = .04). Coronary heart disease risk was independently higher by 33% (95% confidence interval, +7% to +66%; P = .01) for each 32-millisecond increase in QTc. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged ventricular repolarization is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular mortality in subjects with uncomplicated hypertension. Its prognostic significance adds to that of several traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including left ventricular hypertrophy.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium channel blockers for coronary heart disease and stroke prevention.

We investigated whether protection from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke conferred by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in hypertensive or high-risk patients may be explained by the specific drug regimen. We extracted summary statistics regarding CHD and stroke from 28 outcome trials that compared either ACEIs or CCBs with diuretics, beta-blockers, or placebo for a total of 179,122 patients, 9509 incident cases of CHD, and 5971 cases of stroke. CHD included myocardial infarction and coronary death. In placebo-controlled trials, ACEIs decreased the risk of CHD (P<0.001), and CCBs reduced stroke incidence (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in CHD risk between regimens based on diuretics/beta-blockers and regimens based on ACEIs (P=0.46) or CCBs (P=0.52). The risk of stroke was reduced by CCBs (P=0.041) but not by ACEIs (P=0.15) compared with diuretics/beta-blockers. Because heterogeneity between trials was significant, we investigated potential sources of heterogeneity by metaregression. Examined covariates were the reduction in systolic blood pressure (BP), drug treatment (ACEIs versus CCBs), their interaction term, sex, age at randomization, year of publication, and duration of treatment. Prevention of CHD was explained by systolic BP reduction (P<0.001) and use of ACEIs (P=0.028), whereas prevention of stroke was explained by systolic BP reduction (P=0.001) and use of CCBs (P=0.042). These findings confirm that BP lowering is fundamental for prevention of CHD and stroke. However, over and beyond BP reduction, ACEIs appear superior to CCBs for prevention of CHD, whereas CCBs appear superior to ACEIs for prevention of stroke.

Asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction in essential hypertension: prevalence, determinants, and prognostic value.

Prevalence, determinants, and prognostic value of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in uncomplicated subjects with essential hypertension are still incompletely known. We studied 2384 initially untreated subjects with hypertension, no previous cardiovascular disease, and no symptoms or physical signs of congestive heart failure (CHF). These subjects were studied at entry and followed for up to 17 years (mean 6.0). Asymptomatic LVSD (ALVSD), defined by an echocardiographic ejection fraction <50%, was found in 3.6% of subjects. Cigarette smoking (P=0.013), increased left ventricular (LV) mass (P=0.001), and higher 24-hour heart rate (P=0.014) were independent correlates of ALVSD. During follow-up, a first cardiovascular event occurred in 227 subjects, and 24 of these events were hospitalizations for symptomatic CHF. Incidence of CHF per 100 persons per year was 0.12 in patients without and 1.48 in patients with ALVSD (log-rank test P=0.0001). In a Cox model, after adjustment for age (P=0.0001), LV mass (P=0.0001), and cigarette smoking (P=0.039), LVSD conferred a markedly increased risk for CHF (odds ratio, 9.99; 95% confidence interval, 3.67 to 27.2). Incidence of coronary (0.84 versus 0.62x100 person years) and cerebrovascular (0.80 versus 0.62x100 person years) events did not differ (all P=NS) between subjects with and without ALVSD. ALVSD is a potent and early marker of evolution toward severe CHF requiring hospitalization in subjects with essential hypertension.

Prognostic value of lipoprotein fractions in essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate distribution and prognostic value of total cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions in essential hypertension. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, 2649 initially untreated subjects with essential hypertension (aged 51, 46.5% women) were investigated at entry and followed for a mean of 5.6 years (range: 1-16). RESULTS: At entry, subjects with total cholesterol (TC) > or =240 mg/dl (> or =6.22 mmol/l) or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) <40 mg/dl (1.05 mmol/l) or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C) > or =160 mg/dl (4.13 mmol/l) or TC/HDL-C ratio >6 were 47.7%. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and triglycerides (TG) did not show any association with office or 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (BP). During follow-up there were 167 first cardiac events and 122 first cerebrovascular events. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratio showed an association with cardiac events, but not with cerebrovascular events. TG did not show any association with cardiac or cerebrovascular events. After adjustment for age, sex, diabetes, smoking, left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and 24-h pulse pressure, the hazard ratio for cardiac events was 1.83 (95% CI 1.23-2.71) in association with a TC > or =6.22 mmol/l, 2.23 with a HDL-C <1.05 mmol/l (95% CI 1.06-4.70), 2.83 with a LDL-C > or =4.91 mmol/l (95% CI 1.48-5.42) and 3.90 with a TC/HDL-C ratio >6.0 (95% CI 2.23-6.81). When forced in the same model, HDL-C and LDL-C showed an independent association with cardiac events. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities of TC and lipoproteins are common in essential hypertension. HDL-C and LDL-C independently predict the risk of cardiac, but not cerebrovascular, events. Their predictive value is independent of several confounding factors including LV hypertrophy and ambulatory BP.

Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiovascular risk changes in hypertensive patients.

Hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) may be detected in about one third of people with hypertension. When an individual with elevated blood pressure develops LVH, the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in the ensuing years almost doubles even in the absence of symptoms. Because of this high added risk, hypertension and other modifiable risk factors should be managed aggressively with lifestyle measures and drugs. LVH can be considered a biological assay which reflects and integrates the long-term exposure not only to pressure overload, but also to several hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic factors which may promote progression and instabilization of atherosclerotic lesions and, ultimately, lead to adverse clinical events. LVH can partially or totally regress following antihypertensive treatment and lifestyle changes including losing excessive weight and decreasing salt intake. Angiotensin II antagonists and ACE-inhibitors seem to be the most effective drugs for reversing LVH. Evidence is accumulating that regression of LVH is associated with a significant reduction in the subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease. According to a recent meta-analysis, effective reversal of LVH is associated with a 59% lesser risk of subsequent adverse events as compared with the persistence or new development of LVH.

Calcium channel blockade to prevent stroke in hypertension: a meta-analysis of 13 studies with 103,793 subjects.

BACKGROUND: The possibility that specific antihypertensive treatments may prevent the occurrence of stroke more effectively than other treatments remains unproved. We undertook a meta-analysis to assess whether calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are associated with a lesser risk of stroke as compared with other antihypertensive drugs. METHODS: Through Medline we identified 13 major studies conducted in hypertensive subjects for a total of 103,793 subjects. Overall, there were 4040 incident cases of stroke, 1789 among 43,053 subjects randomized to CCBs and 2251 among 60,740 subjects randomized to different antihypertensive drugs. RESULTS: Considering all 13 trials, a pooled reduction in the risk of stroke was observed among subjects allocated to CCBs (odds ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.84-0.96; P =.002). The risk of stroke was significantly lower among subjects allocated to dihydropyridine CCBs than among those randomized to alternative drugs (odds ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.84-0.97; P =.006), whereas the effect of non-dihydropyridine CCBs did not achieve significance (odds ratio 0.92, 95% CI 0.81-1.04). In a meta-regression analysis of these trials, the protection from stroke conferred by CCBs appeared unrelated to the degree of systolic blood pressure reduction. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that CCBs decrease the risk of stroke more effectively than other treatments in patients with essential hypertension and that such an effect might not be completely explained by a better antihypertensive response. Calcium channel blockers should be considered in hypertensive subjects at increased risk of stroke.

Validation of the A&D UA-774 (UA-767Plus) device for self-measurement of blood pressure.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy of the UA-774 (UA-767Plus) blood pressure monitor developed by the A&D Company. METHODS: Device evaluation was performed according to the modified British Hypertension Society (BHS) protocol released in 1993. Eighty-five subjects with characteristics outlined in the BHS protocol were recruited among those attending the outpatient clinic of the Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Hospital 'R. Silvestrini', Perugia, Italy. The A&D blood pressure monitor was evaluated according to the various steps of the protocol. Sequential readings were taken for the main validation test. Outcome was classified according to the criteria of BSH recommendations, which are based on four areas of accuracy differing from the mercury standard by 5, 10 and 15 mmHg, or more. RESULTS: The device achieved a grade A for systolic and a grade A for diastolic blood pressure. Mean blood pressure difference (+/-1 SD) between device and observers was -1.01+/-7.14 mmHg for systolic blood pressure and -1.42+/-7.61 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. There was no systematic change in the device-observed difference over a wide range of blood pressure values CONCLUSIONS: These data show that the A&D UA-774 (UA-767Plus) device satisfies the BSH recommendations for accuracy for systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Prognostic value of the metabolic syndrome in essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the prognostic significance of the metabolic syndrome in hypertension. BACKGROUND: Increased cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients might be partially attributable to metabolic disturbances. METHODS: We prospectively followed for up to 10.5 years (mean 4.1 years) a total of 1742 hypertensive patients without cardiovascular disease (55% men; blood pressure [BP] 154/95 mm Hg; age 50 +/- 12 years). A modified National Cholesterol Education Program definition for metabolic syndrome was used, with body mass index in place of waist circumference. RESULTS: During follow-up, 162 patients developed cardiovascular events (2.28 events/100 patient-years). Event rates in the groups with one to five characteristics of the metabolic syndrome were 1.54, 1.96, 2.97, 3.35, and 5.27 per 100 patient-years, respectively (p < 0.001). A total of 593 patients (34%) had the metabolic syndrome. Patients with the syndrome had an almost double cardiovascular event rate than those without (3.23 vs. 1.76 per 100 patient-years, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, gender, total cholesterol, creatinine, smoking, left ventricular hypertrophy, and 24-h systolic BP, the risk of developing cardiovascular events was still higher in patients with the metabolic syndrome (hazard ratio [HR] 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25 to 2.38). The syndrome was an independent predictor of both cardiac and cerebrovascular events (HRs 1.48 and 2.11, respectively). The adverse prognostic value of the metabolic syndrome was attenuated but still significant among the 1637 patients without diabetes (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.08). CONCLUSIONS: In hypertensive subjects, the metabolic syndrome amplifies cardiovascular risk associated with high BP, independent of the effect of several traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Prognostic significance of isolated, non-specific left ventricular repolarization abnormalities in hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: Clinicians are often confronted with the incidental finding of isolated minor, non-specific repolarization changes on the electrocardiogram (ECG) in hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic significance of such changes. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. METHODS: A total of 1970 hypertensive patients without prevalent cardiovascular disease were followed for up to 9.1 years (mean 4.7 years). Patients with ECG abnormalities including ischaemia, previous infarction, bundle branch block, atrial fibrillation and ventricular pre-excitation were excluded. Patients were divided into three groups: normal left ventricular (LV) repolarization (n = 1355); minor repolarization changes (n = 504); and typical LV strain (n = 111). RESULTS: During follow-up, 78 patients developed new-onset ischaemic heart disease. The event rates were 0.50, 1.28 and 3.08 per 100 patient-years in the groups with normal repolarization, minor changes, and typical LV strain, respectively (P < 0.001). After adjustment for the effect of age, sex, diabetes, serum cholesterol, smoking, LV hypertrophy and 24-h pulse pressure, the risk for developing coronary events was higher in patients with minor repolarization changes (hazard ratio 2.07, 95% confidence interval 1.23-3.47; P < 0.01) or LV strain (hazard ratio 4.00, 95% confidence interval 2.09-7.65; P < 0.001) than in patients with normal repolarization (reference category). Population-attributable risks were 21 and 14%, respectively. Minor ST-T changes also retained an adverse prognostic value among patients without LV hypertrophy (hazard ratio 1.90, 95% confidence interval 1.08-3.33; P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: We have identified minor, non-specific LV repolarization changes as a novel, independent risk factor for ischaemic heart disease in patients with uncomplicated hypertension.

Adverse prognostic significance of new diabetes in treated hypertensive subjects.

Diabetes may develop in nondiabetic hypertensive subjects during treatment, but the long-term cardiovascular implications of this phenomenon are not clear. We determined the prognostic value of new diabetes in hypertensive subjects. In a long-term cohort study, 795 initially untreated hypertensive subjects, 6.5% of whom with type 2 diabetes, underwent diagnostic procedures including 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring and electrocardiography (ECG). Procedures were repeated after a median of 3.1 years in the absence of cardiovascular events. Follow-up duration was 1 to 16 years (median 6.0). New diabetes occurred in 5.8% of subjects initially without diabetes. Antihypertensive treatment included a diuretic in 53.5% of these subjects, versus 30.4% of those in whom diabetes did not develop (P=0.002). Plasma glucose at entry (P=0.0001) and diuretic treatment on follow-up (P=0.004) were independent predictors of new diabetes. Subsequent to the follow-up visit, a first cardiovascular event occurred in 63 subjects. Event rate in nondiabetic subjects at both visits, new diabetes, and diabetes at entry were 0.97, 3.90, and 4.70x100 person-years, respectively (P=0.0001). After adjustment for several confounders, including 24-hour ambulatory BP, the relative risk of events was 2.92 (95% CI: 1.33 to 6.41; P=0.007) in the group with new diabetes and 3.57 (95% CI: 1.65 to 7.73; P=0.001) in the group with previous diabetes, when compared with the group persistently free of diabetes. In treated hypertensive subjects, occurrence of new diabetes portends a risk for subsequent cardiovascular disease that is not dissimilar from that of previously known diabetes.

Meta-Analysis of effectiveness or lack thereof of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for prevention of heart failure in patients with systemic hypertension.

We undertook a meta-analysis of large, randomized controlled trials in hypertensive subjects that compared angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors with different classes of antihypertensive drugs. Compared with subjects randomized to drugs different from ACE inhibitors, those treated with ACE inhibitors did not show a different risk of congestive heart failure (CHF) (odds ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.96 to 1.12, p = 0.407). The degree of protection from CHF associated with the use of ACE inhibitors showed a nonsignificant trend to increase with age and the degree of blood pressure control. Thus, the hypothesis that ACE inhibitors are superior to other antihypertensive drugs for prevention of CHF in hypertension remains unproven.

Changes in cardiovascular risk by reduction of left ventricular mass in hypertension: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have suggested that serial changes in left ventricular (LV) mass in hypertensive subjects predict the subsequent risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the prognostic impact of LV hypertrophy regression in hypertension. METHODS: We undertook a meta-analysis of studies that reported echocardiographic LV mass before and during antihypertensive therapy, with subsequent assessment of cardiovascular events. The aims of this meta-analysis were: 1) to compare subjects with LV hypertrophy (LVH) during treatment (persistence or new development of LVH) with those with LVH at baseline, but not during treatment (regression of LVH); and 2) to compare subjects with LVH at baseline, but not during treatment with those without LVH both before and during treatment (regression of LVH versus persistently normal LV mass). RESULTS: The four eligible studies included 1064 hypertensive subjects (41% women) aged 45 to 51 years who repeated the echocardiographic study 3 to 10 years after the initial examination. The definition of LVH was based on a LV mass corrected by body surface area >125 g/m(2) in two studies and >110 g/m(2) (for women) and 124 g/m(2) (for men) in two studies. Compared with subjects with lack of regression or new development of LVH, those with LVH regression showed a reduced risk of subsequent cardiovascular disease (odds ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.78, P =.007). Compared with subjects with regression of LVH, those with persistently normal LV mass showed a similar risk of subsequent events (odds ratio 0.64, 95% CI = 0.31 to 1.30, P =.21). CONCLUSION: Compared with persistence or new development of LV hypertrophy, regression of LV hypertrophy during antihypertensive treatment is associated with a marked reduction in risk for subsequent cardiovascular disease.

Effect of body weight changes on 24-hour blood pressure and left ventricular mass in hypertension: a 4-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available on the long-term effects of weight loss on 24-h blood pressure (BP) and left ventricular mass in overweight hypertensive patients. METHODS: A total of 181 never-treated overweight hypertensive subjects (body mass index, 25 to 39 kg/m(2), office BP 145/94 +/- 12/7 mm Hg) had 24-h BP monitoring and echocardiography twice, at baseline and after 3.8 +/- 2 years (minimum 1 year). None of the subjects received antihypertensive drugs during the follow-up. Main outcome measures were changes in 24-h BP and in left ventricular mass. RESULTS: Percent change in body weight had a direct relationship with 24-h BP changes (r = 0.35 and 0.31 for systolic and diastolic BP, respectively; both P <.001). The associations with office BP changes (r = 0.13, P =.10 for systolic BP; r = 0.15, P =.06 for diastolic BP) were significantly weaker (both P <.01, z test). The patients who lost weight during follow-up (n = 106) had a significantly lower increase in 24-h BP (+0.6 +/- 9/ +0.2 +/- 6 v +4.9 +/- 9/ +2.7 +/- 7 mm Hg for systolic/diastolic BP, both P <.01) and in left ventricular mass (-3 +/- 30 g v +9 +/- 32 g, P <.02) than the remaining subjects. In a multiple linear regression, a 10% weight loss independently predicted a 4.3/3.8 mm Hg decrease in 24-h systolic/diastolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term weight loss determines a sustained BP reduction during the 24 h and a decrease in left ventricular mass in overweight hypertensive subjects. The relation of weight loss with ambulatory BP changes is closer than that with office BP.

Improved cardiovascular risk stratification by a simple ECG index in hypertension.

BACKGROUND: We determined the prognostic value of the Cornell/strain [C/S] index, a simple electrocardiographic (ECG) index for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) defined by the presence of either a classic strain pattern or a Cornell voltage (sum of R in aVL + S in V(3)) >2.0 mV in women or 2.4 mV in men, or both. METHODS: In a prospective, cohort study, 2190 initially untreated subjects (age 51 [+/- 12], 47% women) with essential hypertension without prior events were followed for up to 14 years (median, 5 years). RESULTS: Prevalence of LVH at entry was 16.3% by using the C/S index, which yielded 33.6% sensitivity and 91.0% specificity. Other ECG criteria for LVH including Sokolow-Lyon, Romhilt-Estes, Framingham, Cornell, and strain alone, achieved a lower sensitivity and prevalence. Over the subsequent follow-up, 244 patients experienced a first major cardiovascular event. Event rate (x 100 person-years) was 2.01 in those without and 4.44 in those with LVH by the C/S index (P <.001). After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, and other counfounders, the C/S index identified subjects at increased risk of events (relative risk 1.76; 95% confidence interval 1.32-2.33). The C/S index achieved the highest population-attributable risk (16.1%) for cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: A simple ECG index that can be quickly measured from nondigital machines and without algorithms identifies LVH in a consistent proportion (16.3%) of hypertensive subjects. The LVH defined by such technique allows identification of individuals at high risk for cardiovascular events.

Combination of lisinopril and nifedipine GITS increases blood pressure control compared with single drugs in essential hypertensive patients.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of combination therapy using the angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitor lisinopril and the dihydropyridine calcium antagonist nifedipine GITS on the degree and homogeneity of 24-hour blood pressure reduction in essential hypertensive patients. After a 4-week placebo run-in period, 51 patients (mean age, 54.4 +/- 9.4 years) with essential hypertension and clinic diastolic blood pressure between 105 and 115 mm Hg were randomized to 4-week treatment with lisinopril (20 mg), nifedipine GITS (30 mg), or their combination according to a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Trough clinic blood pressure and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure were measured at the end of the run-in period and after 4 weeks of treatment. In addition to clinic and 24-hour average blood pressure reduction, the trough-to-peak ratio and the smoothness index, a new measure for the homogeneity of blood pressure reduction, were also calculated. Although both lisinopril and nifedipine GITS produced a significant reduction in clinic and 24-hour average blood pressure values, the reduction obtained with the combination was significantly (P < 0.001) greater. Moreover, the combination therapy increased (P < 0.01) the smoothness index as compared with each single drug for both systolic (lisinopril, 1.02; nifedipine GITS, 1.1; combination, 1.76) and diastolic (lisinopril, 0.98; nifedipine GITS, 0.87; combination, 1.54) blood pressure values, whereas trough-to-peak ratio values (expressed as median) for systolic (lisinopril, 0.41; nifedipine GITS, 0.52; combination, 0.55) and diastolic (lisinopril, 0.35; nifedipine GITS, 0.40; combination, 0.49) blood pressure values were not significantly increased by the combination therapy. Thus, antihypertensive treatment with the combination of lisinopril and nifedipine GITS is more effective and balanced over the 24 hours than the combination components administered alone, confirming that the smoothness index is superior to the trough-to-peak ratio in assessing homogeneity of pharmacologic blood pressure reduction.

Atrial fibrillation in hypertension: predictors and outcome.

Incidence, determinants, and outcome of atrial fibrillation in hypertensive subjects are incompletely known. We followed for up to 16 years 2482 initially untreated subjects with essential hypertension. At entry, all subjects were in sinus rhythm. Subjects with valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, preexcitation syndrome, thyroid disorders, or lung disease were excluded. During follow-up, a first episode of atrial fibrillation occurred in 61 subjects at a rate of 0.46 per 100 person-years. At entry, subjects with future atrial fibrillation differed (all P<0.05) from those without by age (59 versus 51 years), office, and 24-hour systolic blood pressure (165 and 144 versus 157 and 137 mm Hg, respectively), left ventricular mass (58 versus 49 g/height[m](2.7)), and left atrial diameter (3.89 versus 3.56 cm). Age and left ventricular mass (both P<0.001) were the sole independent predictors of atrial fibrillation. For every 1 standard deviation increase in left ventricular mass, the risk of atrial fibrillation was increased 1.20 times (95% CI, 1.07 to 1.34). Atrial fibrillation became chronic in 33% of subjects. Age, left ventricular mass, and left atrial diameter (all P<0.01) were independent predictors of chronic atrial fibrillation. Ischemic stroke occurred at a rate of 2.7% and 4.6% per year, respectively, among subjects with paroxysmal and chronic atrial fibrillation. These data indicate that in hypertensive subjects with sinus rhythm and no other major predisposing conditions, risk of atrial fibrillation increases with age and left ventricular mass. Increased left atrial size predisposes to chronicization of atrial fibrillation.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and prognosis in the management of essential hypertension.

Over the past decade, several prospective outcome studies have demonstrated that ambulatory blood pressure measurements provide a better prediction of major cardiovascular events compared with clinic blood pressure measurements. This review summarizes the advantages of ambulatory blood pressure over clinic blood pressure to predict outcome in untreated and treated hypertensive subjects. Based on available evidence, an operational flow-chart in order to interpret results of ambulatory blood pressure for a better management of these subjects is suggested.