Adherence to antihypertensive drug treatment in Argentina: A multicenter study.

Adherence to antihypertensive medication is an important challenge that doctors often face in the treatment of hypertension. Good adherence is crucial to prevent cardiovascular complications. In consequence, the present study aimed at determining the prevalence of adherence to antihypertensive treatment and identifying associated clinical variables. A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 cities of Argentina. A systematic sampling was performed in order to select patients with hypertension and under pharmacological treatment for at least 6 months. Physicians took three BP measurements, and the level of adherence was assessed using the self-administered Morisky questionnaire (MMAS-8). Participants were classified into three levels of adherence: high adherence-MMAS score of 8; medium adherence-MMAS scores of 6 to <8; and low adherence-MMAS scores of <6. A total of 1111 individuals (62 ± 12 years old, women 49.4%) were included in the present analysis; 159 (14.3%), 329 (29.6%) and 623 (56.1%) patients had low, medium, and high adherence, respectively. The prevalence of controlled hypertension increased only in high adherent patients: 42.8%, 42.2%, and 64.5% for low, medium, and high adherence groups, respectively. Similarly, systolic BP was lower only in the high adherence group. High educational level (OR 3.47, 95% CI 2.68-4.49) and diuretic treatment (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.47-0.88) were independent predictors of high adherence. In conclusion, more than a half of treated hypertensive patients had a high level of adherence. These patients had lower BP values and higher control levels. A high educational level predicts high adherence.

Integración de marcadores humorales, ecocardiograma Doppler convencional y strain bidimensional sistólico en la detección de toxicidad miocárdica secundaria a la quimioterapia / Serum Markers, Conventional Doppler Echocardiography and Two-dimensional Systolic Strain in the Diagnosis of Chemotherapy-Induced Myocardial Toxicity

Introducción La disfunción ventricular izquierda es una complicación grave del tratamiento antineoplásico, con impacto desfavorable en la evolución clínica futura. El diagnóstico precoz de cardiotoxici-dad en pacientes que reciben quimioterapia podría ser de utilidad para definir una estrategia de prevención del deterioro de la función ventricular. Objetivo Analizar la utilidad de marcadores humorales [troponina T (TnT), BNP y NT-proBNP] y del strain bidimensional sistólico longitudinal (SBL) y radial (SBR) para la detección de disfunción ventricular sistólica en pacientes tratados con quimioterapia cardiotóxica. Material y métodos Se incluyeron forma prospectiva 36 pacientes, edad promedio (± DE) de 47 ± 16 años (42% hombres), con enfermedad neoplásica con masa miocárdica normal y fracción de eyección = 55% tratados con agentes antineoplásicos. Se efectuaron dosajes de marcadores humorales y ecocardiograma basales y al 2°, 3°, 4° y 6° mes posterior al inicio del tratamiento oncológico. Se consideró punto final (PF) a los 6 meses a la caída de la fracción de eyección según consenso internacional. Resultados Alcanzaron el PF 7 pacientes (19,4%). Se observaron los siguientes predictores relacionados con el PF: NT-proBNP 4° mes [PF positivo (G1) 152 ± 42 pg/ml vs. PF negativo (G2) 61 ± 38 pg/ml; p < 0,001], BNP 4° mes (G1 41 ± 12 pg/ml vs. G2 26 ± 11 pg/ml; p < 0,01), SBL 3er mes (G1 -16,3 ± 2,4% vs. G2 -19,6 ± 2,02%; p < 0,01) y 4° mes (G1 -15,9 ± 1,77% vs. G2 -19,9 ± 2,2%; p < 0,001) y SBR 4° mes (G1 46,4 ± 2,4% vs. G2 52 ± 3,4%; p < 0,001). Conclusiones El dosaje de péptidos natriuréticos y la medición del strain bidimensional sistólico longitudinal y radial fueron de utilidad para predecir disfunción sistólica ventricular de grado leve en pacientes tratados con quimioterapia.

Background Left ventricular dysfunction is a serious complication of antineoplastic treatment with unfavorable impact in future clinical outcome. Early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity in patients receiving chemotherapy might be useful to define a strategy for the prevention of ventricular function impairment. Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the usefulness of serum markers [troponin T (TnT), BNP and NT-proBNP] and two-dimensional longitudinal (LS) and radial (RS) strain to detect ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients treated with cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Methods Thirty six patients [average age (±SD) 47±16 years, 42% men], with neoplastic disease with normal myocardial mass and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) =55% receiving chemotherapy treatment, were prospectively included. Assessment of serum markers and echocardiography were performed before chemotherapy and at 2, 3, 4 and 6 months after onset of cancer treatment. The 6-month cardiotoxicity endpoint (EP) was defined as reduced LVEF according to international consensus. Results Seven patients reached the EP (19.4%). Endpoint predictors were: NT-proBNP at 4 months (positive EP (G1): 152 ±42 pg/ml vs. negative EP (G2) 61±38 pg/ml; p <0.001), BNP at 4 months (G1 41±12 pg/ml vs. G2 26±11 pg/ml; p <0.01), two-dimensional LS at 3 months (G1 -16.3±2.4% vs. G2 19.6±2.02%; p <0.01) and 4 months (G1 -15.9±1.77% vs. G2 19.9±2.2%; p <0.001), and two-dimensional RS at 4 months (G1 46.4±2.4% vs. G2 52±3.4%; p <0.001). Conclusions Natriuretic peptides and two-dimensional LS and RS were useful to predict mild ventricular systolic dysfunction in chemotherapy-treated patients.

Sodium intake is associated with parasympathetic tone and metabolic parameters in mild hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Although the impairment of parasympathetic cardiac control was described in hypertensives submitted to a high salt diet, the impact of this autonomic abnormality on metabolic and inflammation markers in patients with mild hypertension has not been explored. METHODS: Four hundred and ninety mild essential hypertensive patients (144 ± 9/94 ± 9 mm Hg, 49.5 ± 13.9 years, 67.9 % male) were studied. Dietary sodium intake was estimated by measuring 24-h urinary sodium excretion (UNa), and the patients were classified according to UNa levels as follows: low (<50 mEq/l), medium (50-99 mEq/l), and high UNa (≥100 mEq/l). Parasympathetic tone was evaluated by assessing heart rate recovery (HRR) after an exercise stress test. HRR, plasma lipids, glucose metabolism, and inflammatory biomarkers were compared across UNa groups. RESULTS: HRR and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol were progressively lower, and insulin (INS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAir), ultrasensitive-C-reactive protein (usCRP) were progressively higher across increasing UNa groups. In the low and medium UNa groups, HDL-cholesterol was higher and CRP was lower than that in high UNa (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) (Dunnett post-hoc test). In the low UNa group, triglycerides (TGs), INS, and HOMAir were lower than that in high UNa (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that UNa, HOMAir, and heart rate (HR) were negatively associated with HRR (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the essential hypertensive patients studied high sodium intake is associated with parasympathetic inhibition, lipid disturbances, and inflammation. Studies designed to assess causality between sodium intake and metabolic and autonomic status are needed to evaluate the relevance of controlling sodium intake, especially in hypertensive patients.

Identificación no invasiva de ateroesclerosis subclínica en individuos con psoriasis / Non-invasive identification of subclinical atheroesclerosis

Antecedentes. La psoriasis es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica multisistémica que implica un riesgo cardiovascular aumentado, incluidos enfermedad coronaria, infarto de miocardio y muerte de causa cardiovascular, sobre todo en pacientes jóvenes y con psoriasis más graves. Esto se debe a una aterogénesis precoz y en ocasiones subclínica, que podría ser identificada de manera no invasiva mediante estudios vasculares de vasos periféricos. Objetivos. a) identificar la presencia de ateroesclerosis subclínica en pacientes con psoriasis; b) establecer su valor predictivo independientemente de otros factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Diseño. Estudio de cohorte, prospectivo, controlado. Métodos. Se incluyeron 175 pacientes consecutivos, un grupo con psoriasis (GP, n:35) y un grupo control (GC, n:140), a quienes se les efectuó estudios de identificación de placas de ateroesclerosis y de elasticidad arterial en vasos carotídeos extracraneales y femorales. Resultados. El score de Framingham en los pacientes de ambos grupos fue bajo (7 ± 2,3% vs. 5,7 ± 1,8%; GP vs. GC respectivamente; p = .003), mientras que el score de riesgo vascular determinado según la alteración de parámetros de ateroesclerosis subclínica evaluados fue mayor en el GP (2,9 ± 1,2 vs. 2,2 ± 0.08; p = .002). La rigidez de la pared arterial se halló significativamente incrementada en el GP (EIM 0,7 ± 0,2 vs. 0,63 ± 0,1 mm, p< 0.001), donde se observó una prevalencia mayor de placas ateroescleróticas (94% vs. 62,5%, p = .001) la mayoría de alta vulnerabilidad. Conclusiones. El uso de técnicas no invasivas que faciliten la detección precoz de pacientes psoriásicos con enfermedad subclínica de la pared arterial, permitiría evaluar correctamente el riesgo, que puede ser subestimado si sólo se realizan estudios clínicos de los factores de riesgoconvencionales.

Background. Psoriasis is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disease that involves an increasedcardiovascular risk as heart disease, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death, especially inyounger patients and severe psoriasis. This is due to early atherogenesis, and sometimes to a subclinicalcourse, which could be identified by non invasive vascular studies of peripheral vessels.Objectives. a) Identify the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with psoriasis; b)Determine its predictive value independently of other cardiovascular risk factors.Design. Cohort, prospective, controlled trial. Methods. 175 consecutive patients were included, a Psoriatic Group (PG, n:35) and a Control Group(CG, n:140) where identified, and submited to studies for identification of atherosclerotic plaquesand arterial elasticity in extracranial carotids and femoral vessels.Results. The Framingham scores in patients of both groups was low (7 ± 2.3% vs. 5.7 ± 1.8%;GP vs. GC respectively, p = .003) while the vascular risk score, determined by the alteration ofsubclinical atherosclerosis parameters, was higher in the GP (2.9 ± 1.2 vs. 2.2 ± 0.08, p = .002).The arterial wall stiffness was found significantly increased in the GP (EIM 0.7 ± 0.2 vs 0.63 ± 0.1mm, p< 0.001), where a higher prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques (94% vs. 62.5%, p = .001),mostly of high vulnerability, was also observed.Conclusions. The use of non invasive techniques that facilitate early detection of psoriaticindividuals with subclinical arterial wall disease, would allow a proper assessment of risk whichmay be underestimates by only clinical assessment of conventional risk factors.

Evaluacion de la reaccion de alarma inducida por la determinacion de la presion arterial / Evaluation of the alarm reaction induced by blood pressure determination

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar las características de la reacción de alarma que induce un aumento de la PA sobre la "basal" al enfrentarse el paciente con el observador que realizará el procedimiento. Este aumento "suplementario" que se suma a la PA "basal" fue analizado mediante la caída de los niveles de PAZ que se presenta luego de diez tomas consecutivas separadas por intervalos de 3 minutos en 85 individuos con cifras de PA en un amplio rango. 91 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron una disminución en tomas sucesivas y sólo 9 por ciente presentaron ascensos o ningún cambio significativo en los niveles de PAS. El descenso mostró buena correlación con la función exponencial (r = 0,99). La asíntola fue para la PAS de -8,7 + or - ,81 mmHG (P<0,01) con una constante de timpo T (Tau) de 4,7 + or - 1,3 minutos. No hubo correlación entre la magnitud del descenso y los niveles de PA, lo cual no apoya la idea de que esta reacción esté aumentada en hipertensos. El descenso en la PAD fue menor (3,87 + or - 59 mmHG, P<0,01) pero con características similares. Si consideramos las características de la caída exponencial y el hecho de que luego de 4 ó 5 tomas, llegamos a valores cercanos a la asíntola, la PA basal podría determinarse simplesmente por el promedio de 2 ó 3 determinaciones con intervalos de 3 minutos, tomadas luego de desechar las dos o tres primeras tomadas en las mismas condiciones. Esta presión "basal" parece ser de importancia en determinar la repercusión de las cifras tensionales sobre los órganos "blanco" y aunque no lo hallamos comprobado, sus valores serían similares a los obtenidos en el hogar o por monitoreo ambulatorio. Las características exponenciales de la caída de la PA en tomas consecutivas, permite calcular la PA "basal" mediante el cálculo de la asíntota de la ecuación respectiva