Associations between saturated fat intake and other dietary macronutrients and incident hypertension in a prospective study of French women.

PURPOSE: Saturated fat has long been associated with cardiovascular disease in multiple prospective studies, and randomized controlled trials. Few studies have assessed the relative associations between saturated fat and other macronutrients with hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to assess the relative associations between saturated fat, other macronutrients such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat, proteins, and carbohydrates, and incident hypertension in a large prospective cohort of French women. METHODS: This study used data from the E3N cohort study, including participants free of hypertension at baseline. A food frequency questionnaire was used to determine dietary intakes of saturated fat (SFA), monounsaturated fat (MUFA), polyunsaturated fat (PUFA), animal protein (AP), vegetable protein (VP), carbohydrates (CH) and various foods. Cases of hypertension were based on self-report, validated by drug reimbursement data. Covariates were based on self-report. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the relative associations between different macronutrients and hypertension risk, using the 'substitution' framework. Bootstrapping was used to generate 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: This study included 45,854 women free of hypertension at baseline. During 708,887 person-years of follow-up, 12,338 incident cases of hypertension were identified. Compared to saturated fat, higher consumption of all other macronutrients was associated with a lower risk of hypertension (HRMUFA = 0.74 [0.67: 0.81], HRPUFA = 0.84 [0.77: 0.92], HRCH = 0.83 [0.77: 0.88], HRAP = 0.91 [0.85: 0.97], HRVP = 0.93 [0.83: 1.03]). CONCLUSION: This study finds that relative to other macronutrients such as monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat, higher intake of saturated fat is associated with a higher risk of hypertension among women.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and onset of chronic hypertension in France: the nationwide CONCEPTION study.

AIMS: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are a leading cause of maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. We aimed to estimate the impact of HDP on the onset of chronic hypertension in primiparous women in the first years following childbirth. METHODS AND RESULTS: This nationwide cohort study used data from the French National Health Data System (SNDS). All eligible primiparous women without pre-existing chronic hypertension who delivered between 2010 and 2018 were included. Women were followed up from six weeks post-partum until onset of hypertension, a cardiovascular event, death, or the study end date (31 December 2018). The main outcome was a diagnosis of chronic hypertension. We used Cox models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of chronic hypertension for all types of HDP. Overall, 2 663 573 women were included with a mean follow-up time of 3.0 years. Among them, 180 063 (6.73%) had an HDP. Specifically 66 260 (2.16%) had pre-eclampsia (PE) and 113 803 (4.27%) had gestational hypertension (GH). Compared with women who had no HDP, the fully adjusted HRs of chronic hypertension were 6.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.89-6.17] for GH, 8.10 (95% CI 7.88-8.33) for PE (all sorts), 12.95 (95% CI 12.29-13.65) for early PE, 9.90 (95% CI 9.53-10.28) for severe PE, and 13.17 (95% CI 12.74-13.60) for PE following GH. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy exposure duration was an additional risk factor of chronic hypertension for all PE subgroups. Women with HDP consulted a general practitioner or cardiologist more frequently and earlier. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy exposure greatly increased the risk of chronic hypertension in the first years following delivery.

[Acute coronary heart disease and women]. / Maladies coronariennes aiguës chez les femmes.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the leading cause of death among women in high-income countries. However, the literature is mainly based on the male model as are the resulting scientific guidelines. female-specific risk factors are frequent and still underestimated, contributing to a difference in overall management. This article highlights the gender differences in acute coronary heart disease.

Le syndrome coronarien aigu (SCA) constitue la première cause de mortalité chez la femme dans les pays à revenus élevés. Toutefois, la littérature est essentiellement basée sur le modèle masculin, de même que les recommandations scientifiques qui en découlent. Les facteurs de risque liés au sexe féminin sont fréquents et encore sous-estimés, contribuant à une différence dans la prise en charge globale. Cet article met en évidence les différences intersexes lors d'une maladie coronarienne aiguë.

Influence of nocturnal hypoxemia on follow-up course after type B acute aortic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Association between sleep nocturnal breathing disorders and acute aortic syndrome (AAS) has been described but mid-term data are scarce. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the prognostic value of sleep apnea parameters and their relationship with aortic morphology after the onset of a type B AAS. METHODS: Between January 2010 and January 2018, sleep apnea screening in post type B AAS was prospectively performed. The association of sleep apnea parameters with aortic morphology and aortic expansion during follow-up was studied. RESULTS: Over the 8-year-study period, 103 patients were included, with a mean age of 57.8 ± 12.1 years old. Median follow-up was 25.0 months (11.0-51.0). Thirty-two patients (31%) required aortic stenting during the acute phase. In patients treated by aortic stenting, the descending thoracic aortic diameter was positively associated with a higher percentage of nocturnal time of saturation ≤ 90% after adjustment (p = 0.016). During follow-up, the nocturnal time of saturation ≤ 90% in patients treated by medical therapy was the only parameter associated with significant aortic expansion rate (r = 0.26, p = 0.04). Thirty-eight patients started and sustained nocturnal ventilation during follow-up. The association between aortic expansion rate and nocturnal time of saturation ≤ 90% did not persist during follow-up after adjustment on nocturnal ventilation initiation (r = 0.25, p = 0.056). CONCLUSIONS: Nocturnal hypoxemia parameters are positively associated with the max onset aortic diameter and significant aortic growth after type B AAS. Nocturnal ventilation seems to mitigate aortic expansion during follow-up.

Aortic morphology post type A acute aortic syndrome: Prognosis significance and association with 24-hour blood pressure-monitoring parameters.

BACKGROUND: After an emergent surgery for type A acute aortic syndrome, medical management is based on optimal blood pressure (BP) control. We assessed the prognostic significance of BP monitoring and its relationship with aortic morphology following type A acute aortic syndrome. METHODS: The data of 120 patients who underwent BP monitoring after a type A acute aortic syndrome from January 2005 to June 2016 were retrospectively collected. The first CT angiogram performed after surgery was used for the morphological analysis. RESULTS: The population included 79 males, with an overall mean age of 60 ± 12 years. Seven patients (5.8%) died during a median follow-up of 5.5 years. The median delay between BP monitoring and discharge was 3 (1-5) months. The mean 24-hour BP of the cohort was 127/73 mm Hg ± 10/17. During follow-up, different parameters of BP monitoring were not associated with the risk of aortic events. However, the diameter of the false lumen of the descending thoracic aorta was the best predictor associated with the risk of new aortic events during follow-up, particularly for the threshold of 28 mm or more (P < .001; Hazard ratio 4.7[2.7-8.2]). The diameter of the false lumen was associated with night-time systolic BP (P = .025; r = .2), 24-hour pulse pressure (P = .002; r = .28), and night-time pulse pressure (P = .008; r = .24). CONCLUSION: The risk of new aortic events following type A acute aortic syndrome is associated with the size of the residual false lumen, but not directly with BP parameters. Night-time BP parameters are associated with the size of the residual false lumen.

Editor's Choice - Long-term Survival and Risk Analysis in 136 Consecutive Patients With Type B Aortic Dissection Presenting to a Single Centre Over an 11 Year Period.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, in patients with acute type B aortic dissection, the results of medical and endovascular treatment in a large single centre experience and to investigate the clinical and imaging features on presentation that relate to poor outcome. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected clinical and CT imaging data. Consecutive patients (136) with acute type B aortic dissection were included in the study over an 11 year period. The characteristics of patients receiving endovascular (complicated) or medical treatment (uncomplicated) were compared. Kaplan-Meier estimators were used to estimate cumulative overall survival and survival free of aortic events. Factors associated with overall and aortic event free survival were also explored using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: The mean follow up was 51 months (1-132), during which time 33 deaths and 48 aortic events occurred. At one and five years, overall survival was 94.0% and 74.8%, respectively, and freedom from aortic events was 75.6% and 58.7%. There was no difference in all cause survival and aortic event free survival at one and five years between the patients treated endovascularly and those receiving medical treatment alone. Risk analysis for aortic events demonstrated the maximum size of the proximal entry tear, the maximum thoracic aortic diameter, and the thoracic aortic false lumen maximum diameter to have a significant effect on the incidence of aortic events. CONCLUSIONS: Active management of patients with type B aortic dissection results in good long-term survival even in the presence of features traditionally associated with adverse outcomes. All patients require close lifetime surveillance as aortic events continue to occur during follow up even after endografting.

Aortic root size is associated with nocturnal blood pressure in a population of hypertensive patients under treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased aortic root size. This association has never been studied in patients with hypertension undergoing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for OSA. METHODS: The 24-h blood pressure (BP) monitoring of 142 hypertensive patients undergoing CPAP treatment for OSA was prospectively documented. Aortic root diameter was assessed by echocardiography. RESULTS: The population included 33.8% women, with an overall mean age of 60.7 ± 10.5 years. The median body mass index was 32.7 [29. 5-36.3] kg/m2. The median treatment score was 3 [2-4] anti-hypertensive drugs per day. The median 24-h systolic and diastolic BP were 130 [120-144] and 74.5 [69-82] mmHg, respectively. The night-time systolic and diastolic BP were 119.5 [108-136] and 67 [61-74] mmHg, respectively. The mean diameter of the aorta at the level of the Valsalva sinuses was 34.9 ± 4.4 mm and 20.4 ± 2.3 mm/m when adjusted for height. Patients underwent ventilation for a median duration of 3.8 [1. 7-7.5] years, with a median night-time duration of 6.6 [5. 5-7.5] h per night. The median residual apnea-hypopnea index under ventilation was 2 [1-4] events per hour. A multivariate analysis showed that aortic root size was associated with male gender (p < 0.01) and nocturnal diastolic BP (p < 0.01). When normalized for height, aortic root diameter was positively associated with age (p < 0.01) and nocturnal diastolic BP (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In OSA patients, the relationship between aortic root diameter and nocturnal BP persists on CPAP therapy. Further studies that evaluate the potential protective effect of OSA treatment on aortic root dilatation should monitor nocturnal diastolic BP.

Adherence to Antihypertensive Treatment and the Blood Pressure-Lowering Effects of Renal Denervation in the Renal Denervation for Hypertension (DENERHTN) Trial.

BACKGROUND: The DENERHTN trial (Renal Denervation for Hypertension) confirmed the blood pressure-lowering efficacy of renal denervation added to a standardized stepped-care antihypertensive treatment for resistant hypertension at 6 months. We report the influence of adherence to antihypertensive treatment on blood pressure control. METHODS: One hundred six patients with hypertension resistant to 4 weeks of treatment with indapamide 1.5 mg/d, ramipril 10 mg/d (or irbesartan 300 mg/d), and amlodipine 10 mg/d were randomly assigned to renal denervation plus standardized stepped-care antihypertensive treatment, or the same antihypertensive treatment alone. For standardized stepped-care antihypertensive treatment, spironolactone 25 mg/d, bisoprolol 10 mg/d, prazosin 5 mg/d, and rilmenidine 1 mg/d were sequentially added at monthly visits if home blood pressure was ≥135/85 mm Hg after randomization. We assessed adherence to antihypertensive treatment at 6 months by drug screening in urine/plasma samples from 85 patients. RESULTS: The numbers of fully adherent (20/40 versus 21/45), partially nonadherent (13/40 versus 20/45), or completely nonadherent patients (7/40 versus 4/45) to antihypertensive treatment were not different in the renal denervation and the control groups, respectively (P=0.3605). The difference in the change in daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure from baseline to 6 months between the 2 groups was -6.7 mm Hg (P=0.0461) in fully adherent and -7.8 mm Hg (P=0.0996) in nonadherent (partially nonadherent plus completely nonadherent) patients. The between-patient variability of daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure was greater for nonadherent than for fully adherent patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the DENERHTN trial, the prevalence of nonadherence to antihypertensive drugs at 6 months was high (≈50%) but not different in the renal denervation and control groups. Regardless of adherence to treatment, renal denervation plus standardized stepped-care antihypertensive treatment resulted in a greater decrease in blood pressure than standardized stepped-care antihypertensive treatment alone. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01570777.

Optimum and stepped care standardised antihypertensive treatment with or without renal denervation for resistant hypertension (DENERHTN): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting blood pressure-lowering effects of catheter-based renal artery denervation have been reported in patients with resistant hypertension. We compared the ambulatory blood pressure-lowering efficacy and safety of radiofrequency-based renal denervation added to a standardised stepped-care antihypertensive treatment (SSAHT) with the same SSAHT alone in patients with resistant hypertension. METHODS: The Renal Denervation for Hypertension (DENERHTN) trial was a prospective, open-label randomised controlled trial with blinded endpoint evaluation in patients with resistant hypertension, done in 15 French tertiary care centres specialised in hypertension management. Eligible patients aged 18-75 years received indapamide 1·5 mg, ramipril 10 mg (or irbesartan 300 mg), and amlodipine 10 mg daily for 4 weeks to confirm treatment resistance by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring before randomisation. Patients were then randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either renal denervation plus an SSAHT regimen (renal denervation group) or the same SSAHT alone (control group). The randomisation sequence was generated by computer, and stratified by centres. For SSAHT, after randomisation, spironolactone 25 mg per day, bisoprolol 10 mg per day, prazosin 5 mg per day, and rilmenidine 1 mg per day were sequentially added from months two to five in both groups if home blood pressure was more than or equal to 135/85 mm Hg. The primary endpoint was the mean change in daytime systolic blood pressure from baseline to 6 months as assessed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. The primary endpoint was analysed blindly. The safety outcomes were the incidence of acute adverse events of the renal denervation procedure and the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline to 6 months. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01570777. FINDINGS: Between May 22, 2012, and Oct 14, 2013, 1416 patients were screened for eligibility, 106 of those were randomly assigned to treatment (53 patients in each group, intention-to-treat population) and 101 analysed because of patients with missing endpoints (48 in the renal denervation group, 53 in the control group, modified intention-to-treat population). The mean change in daytime ambulatory systolic blood pressure at 6 months was -15·8 mm Hg (95% CI -19·7 to -11·9) in the renal denervation group and -9·9 mm Hg (-13·6 to -6·2) in the group receiving SSAHT alone, a baseline-adjusted difference of -5·9 mm Hg (-11·3 to -0·5; p=0·0329). The number of antihypertensive drugs and drug-adherence at 6 months were similar between the two groups. Three minor renal denervation-related adverse events were noted (lumbar pain in two patients and mild groin haematoma in one patient). A mild and similar decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate from baseline to 6 months was observed in both groups. INTERPRETATION: In patients with well defined resistant hypertension, renal denervation plus an SSAHT decreases ambulatory blood pressure more than the same SSAHT alone at 6 months. This additional blood pressure lowering effect may contribute to a reduction in cardiovascular morbidity if maintained in the long term after renal denervation. FUNDING: French Ministry of Health.

Prognostic Significance of the Renal Resistive Index After Renal Artery Revascularization in the Context of Flash Pulmonary Edema.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic value of the renal resistive index (Ri) after renal artery revascularization in the context of flash pulmonary edema. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2008, 43 patients (mean age 72.1±10.9 years; 23 women) underwent renal artery angioplasty/stenting in the context of flash pulmonary edema. Intrarenal Ri was assessed using duplex ultrasound. The majority (97.7%) of patients had hypertension, and nearly half (46.5%) had diabetes mellitus. For this retrospective analysis, the patients were divided into 2 groups according to the median Ri (<0.8 and ≥0.8) of the population. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify predictors of all-cause mortality (primary endpoint) and rehospitalization for heart failure; the results are presented as the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The mean follow-up was 49.8±30.6 months. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups regarding clinical characteristics. A high Ri was associated with the risk of all-cause death (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.15 to 5.60, p=0.021). This relationship was still statistically significant after adjustment for age, gender, diabetes, glomerular filtration rate, and treatment with a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (HR 1.74, 95%CI 1.08 to 2.81, p=0.032). A high Ri was also associated with cardiovascular death in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. In contrast, a high Ri was not associated with the risk of rehospitalization for heart failure. CONCLUSION: After renal artery revascularization for flash pulmonary edema, a high intrarenal Ri is independently associated with all-cause mortality. Determination of the intrarenal Ri after this procedure may be useful for identifying at-risk patients.

[Iatrogenic and drug-induced hypertension]. / Hypertensions artérielles médicamenteuses et toxiques.

Various toxic or drug agents can induce arterial hypertension, aggravate or limit the efficiency of anti-hypertensive drugs. Iatrogenic and drug-induced hypertension should be well known by the clinicians and the pharmacists, given the impact for driving the management of patients. In the food, an excessive alcohol consumption (more than 30 g per day) and more rarely glycerizine (active ingredient of the licorice) should be systematically looked for in front of a recent hypertension or do not respond to usual treatment. In the list of offending medicines, we must remember ethinyl estradiol contained in the contraception (oral, vaginal ring or transcutaneous patch), non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus), vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor R2 (avastin, inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases), recombinant human erythropoietin, sympathomimetics (nasal decongestants), anabolic steroids, bromocriptine (inhibitor of lactation), psychotropes (tricyclics antidepressants, monoamine oxydase inhibitors). The diagnosis of iatrogenic hypertensions should be systematically suspected in front of a suggestive clinical context with a meticulous food questioning because these hypertensions are partially or fully reversible after exposure stops.

Thrombocytopenia: an early marker of late mortality in type B aortic dissection.

Mid-term and long-term mortality after aortic dissection remain high and due to unknown factors. To determine predicting factors at the acute phase associated with mid- and long-term all-cause mortality, patients with type B aortic dissection including intramural hematoma, treated in one referral university center in an area with a population of 4 million, were analyzed over a period of 12 years (from 1996 to 2008). Based on the total population, 77 patients discharged after type B aortic dissection (including 11 intramural hematoma) were recorded as treated with either medical treatment alone (n = 41) or with additional endovascular therapy (n = 36). The mean follow-up period was 50.8 months, with a survival rate of 78 % (17 deaths). Patient history, symptoms, medical treatment, biological parameters, imaging, and intervention during acute phase (more than 150 parameters) were analyzed to identify any relationship with complications and death. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox proportional hazards analyses identified independent predictors of follow-up mortality from any cause. Factors influencing mortality (P < 0.05) were a low systolic blood pressure (SBP) at admission, a thrombocytopenia in the acute period, chronic bronchitis, diameter of ascending aorta, and renin-angiotensin system inhibitor intake. Independent predictors of mortality were chronic bronchitis (P = 0.0022, hazard ratio (HR) 17.5), early thrombocytopenia (P = 0.042, HR 3.5), and admission SBP <120 mmHg (P = 0.0048, HR 7.928). Treated (medical ± endovascular) type B aortic dissection held a worse long-term prognosis, which can be correlated with predicting factors, especially in-hospital thrombocytopenia, and should require closer follow-up.

Prevalence of cumulative cardiovascular risk factors among women of childbearing age in France: Results of the GYNRISK® survey.

Global burden of cardiovascular disease is growing worldwide among women, particularly in younger women. Corresponding increases in the number and severity of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) associated with a greater impact in women could explain this increase in incidence. The prevalence of CVRF remains poorly known within young women, especially their cumulative prevalence. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of traditional and emerging CVRF, including female-specific CVRF, in young French women of childbearing age (16-45 years). The GYNRISK® survey aimed to analyse the magnitude and cumulation of CVRF. Two thousand women, representative of the general population, completed a self-administered, computer-assisted web interviewing survey. Results highlighted the high prevalence of traditional CVRF (73.8 % with at least one CVRF). Modifiable CVRF were also particularly high, especially overweight/obesity (31.3 %), tobacco/cannabis consumption (24.0 %), sedentary lifestyle (55.4 %), low fruit and vegetable intake (83.6 %), and poor health literacy (87.2 %). Additionally, a high prevalence of accumulated CVRF was reported, with 37.8 % of young French women having ≥2 traditional CVRF, 69.6 % having ≥1 traditional and ≥1 emergent CVRF, and 73.3 % having ≥1 traditional in addition to ≥1 lifestyle associated CVRF. Among women receiving combined hormonal contraception (CHC), 34.0 % had a contraindication for CHC due of the presence of CVRF (single or cumulative) according to recommendations. GYNRISK® survey highlighted the need for more data in this understudied population of young women. Increasing knowledge, screening, prevention, and information, with targeting on modifiable CVRF must be a priority to reduce women cardiovascular burden.

Characteristics of Young Women Presenting With Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Young Women Presenting Acute Myocardial Infarction in France Study.

BACKGROUND: The percentage of women <50 years of age hospitalized with myocardial infarction is increasing. We describe the clinical, morphological, and biological characteristics, as well as the clinical outcomes of this population. METHODS AND RESULTS: This prospective, observational study included consecutive women <50 years of age admitted for myocardial infarction at 30 centers in France (May 2017-June 2019). The primary outcome was the composite of net adverse clinical events: all-cause death, cardiovascular death, recurrent myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, any stroke, or major bleeding occurring during hospitalization with a 12-month follow up. Three hundred fourteen women were included. The mean age was 43.0 (±5.7) years, 60.8% presented with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, 75.5% were current smokers, 31.2% had a history of complicated pregnancy, and 55.1% reported recent emotional stress. Most (91.6%) women presented with typical chest pain. Of patients on an estrogen-containing contraceptive, 86.0% had at least 1 contraindication. Of patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction, 17.8% had myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries and 14.6% had spontaneous coronary artery dissection, whereas 29.3% presented with multivessel vessel disease. During hospitalization, 11 net adverse clinical events occurred in 9 (2.8%) women, but no deaths or stent thromboses occurred. By 12 months, 14 net adverse clinical events occurred in 10 (3.2%) women; 2 (0.6%) died (from progressive cancer) and 25 (7.9%) had an ischemia-driven repeat percutaneous coronary intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Most young women with myocardial infarction reported typical chest pain and had modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. History of adverse pregnancy outcomes and prescription of combined oral contraceptive despite a contraindication were prevalent, emphasizing the need for comprehensive cardiological and gynecological evaluation and follow-up. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03073447.

Adverse Maternal and Infant Outcomes in Women With Chronic Hypertension in France (2010-2018): The Nationwide CONCEPTION Study.

Background It has been suggested that chronic hypertension is a risk factor for negative maternal and fetal outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum. We aimed to estimate the association of chronic hypertension on adverse maternal and infant outcomes and assess the impact of antihypertensive treatment and these outcomes. Methods and Results Using data from the French national health data system, we identified and included in the CONCEPTION cohort all women in France who delivered their first child between 2010 and 2018. Chronic hypertension before pregnancy was identified through antihypertensive medication purchases and by diagnosis during hospitalization. We assessed the incidence risk ratios (IRRs) of maternofetal outcomes using Poisson models. A total of 2 822 616 women were included, and 42 349 (1.5%) had chronic hypertension and 22 816 were treated during pregnancy. In Poisson models, the adjusted IRR (95% CI) of maternofetal outcomes for women with hypertension were as follows: 1.76 (1.54-2.01) for infant death, 1.73 (1.60-1.87) for small gestational age, 2.14 (1.89-2.43) for preterm birth, 4.58 (4.41-4.75) for preeclampsia, 1.33 (1.27-1.39) for cesarean delivery, 1.84 (1.47-2.31) for venous thromboembolism, 2.62 (1.71-4.01) for stroke or acute coronary syndrome, and 3.54 (2.11-5.93) for maternal death postpartum. In women with chronic hypertension, being treated with an antihypertensive drug during pregnancy was associated with a significantly lower risk of obstetric hemorrhage, stroke, and acute coronary syndrome during pregnancy and postpartum. Conclusions Chronic hypertension is a major risk factor of infant and maternal negative outcomes. In women with chronic hypertension, the risk of pregnancy and postpartum cardiovascular events may be decreased by antihypertensive treatment during pregnancy.

Incidence and Time Trends of Pregnancy-Related Stroke Between 2010 and 2018: The Nationwide CONCEPTION Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite the potentially devastating effects of pregnancy-related stroke, few studies have examined its incidence by type of stroke. We aimed to study the nationwide incidence rates and recent temporal trends for all types of pregnancy-related stroke and to compare these incidences with stroke incidence in nonpregnant women. METHODS: We conducted a study of 6,297,698 women aged 15-49 years who gave birth in France between 2010 and 2018 with no history of stroke before pregnancy by collecting data from the French National Health Insurance Information System database. Poisson regression was used to estimate the incidence by types of strokes for the different pregnancy periods and the incidence rate ratio of stroke in pregnant vs nonpregnant French women. RESULTS: Among the 6,297,698 women, 1,261 (24.0 per 100,000 person-years) experienced a first ever stroke during, antepartum peripartum, or the first 6 weeks of postpartum. Of the pregnancy-related strokes, 42.9% were ischemic (IS), 41.9% were hemorrhagic (with similar proportion of intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage), and 17.4% were cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Compared with nonpregnant women, incidence rates of stroke were similar during pregnancy for IS (adjusted incidence risk ratio [IRR] 0.9 [0.8-1.1]), slightly higher for all hemorrhagic strokes (IRR 1.4 [1.2-1.8]), and considerably increased for CVT (IRR 8.1 [6.5-10.1]). Pregnancy-related stroke incidence rose between 2010 and 2018 for IS and HS but was stable for CVT. DISCUSSION: The risk of pregnancy-related CVT was more than 8-fold higher than that observed in nonpregnant women. The incidence of pregnancy-related IS and HS is increasing over time, and efforts should be made for prevention considering treatable cardiovascular risk factors and hypertensive disorders in pregnant women.

Prognostic significance of reverse dipping status on lower limb event in type 2 diabetic patients without peripheral arterial disease.

AIMS: We assessed reverse dipping influence on the risk of lower limb events in type 2 diabetic patients without peripheral arterial disease. METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes addressed for cardiovascular risk stratification in our university hospital from 2008 to 2012 underwent 24 h blood pressure monitoring. Patients with a prior history of limb revascularization or with a stenosis > 50% of the legs were excluded. Reverse dipping was defined as a greater night-versus day-time systolic blood pressure. The endpoint was the first occurrence of lower limb revascularization or limb amputation. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the Cox model. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-one patients were included. During a median follow-up of 9.4 [7.7-10.6] years, 20 lower limb events and 45 all-cause deaths were observed. Thirty-five patients were reverse dippers. The reverse dipping status was associated with lower limb events when considering all-cause death as a competitive risk, (HR 3.61 [1.16-11.2], P = 0.026). Reverse dipping, HbA1C and proteinuria were independently associated with lower limb outcome in a multivariable analysis (respectively HR 4.09 [1.29-12.9], P = 0.017, HR 1.30 [1.04-1.63], P = 0.022 and HR 1.06 [1.02-1.11], P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reverse dipping status is independently associated with worse limb outcome in type 2 diabetic patients.

Renal resistance index and its prognostic significance in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: Functional renal impairment is a common feature of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The link between functional renal impairment and HFpEF remains incompletely understood. With hypertension and diabetes as frequent co-morbidities, patients with HFpEF are at risk of developing intra-renal vascular hemodynamic alterations that may lead to functional renal impairment and impact on prognosis. METHODS: Renal resistive index (RRI) was non-invasively determined by Doppler ultrasonic examination in 90 HFpEF patients and 90 age- and sex-matched hypertensive patients without evidence of heart failure (HF) who served as controls. Clinical, laboratory and cardiac echocardiography data were obtained in HFpEF patients and controls. To investigate its possible clinical relevance, RRI was evaluated as a prognostic index of all-cause mortality and hospitalization for HF. RESULTS: Mean RRI was substantially greater in HFpEF patients than in controls (P < 0.0001), while mean blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin and serum protein levels were significantly lower in HFpEF patients than in controls. On multivariable analysis, mean RRI was independently associated with HFpEF. In addition, increased mean RRI was an independent predictor of poor outcome [hazard ratio = 1.06 95% confidence interval (1.01-1.10), P = 0.007] and remained significantly associated with the outcome after adjustment for univariate predictors that included low mean blood pressure, low hemoglobin concentration and low glomerular filtration rate. Conclusion. Patients with HFpEF exhibit intra-renal vascular hemodynamic alterations. The severity of intra-renal vascular hemodynamic alterations correlates with a poor outcome.

Should we modify our indications after the EVAR-2 trial conclusions?

BACKGROUND: To compare the results of the endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in patients considered as unfit for surgery in a "high volume" center with the EVAR-2 trial results. METHODS: In our center, between January 2006 and December 2008, 469 endovascular aorta treatments were performed in high-risk patients. All the data were prospectively collected in a database. Among 469 patients, we selected 191 patients considered as unfit for open surgery (group 1) corresponding to the EVAR trial criteria. Variables such as postoperative mortality at 30 days and 1 year, complications rates, as well as early and late redo surgery were evaluated. Long-term pharmacological treatment before surgery was listed. These results were compared with the EVAR trial (group 2). Survival during the follow-up was calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Mortality at 30 days was 1.6% and 9% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.002). Global complication rate was 44% and 43% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.52). Over the follow-up period, the redo surgery rate was 13% and 26% in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.0102). In our cohort, the survival rate at 2 years was 84% with a residual number of 102 patients. Before surgery, a long-term antiplatelet treatment was prescribed in 89% and 58% of the patients and statins in 74% and 39% of the patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The EVAR-2 trial conclusions are in opposition to the practice of French vascular surgeons. Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms in high-risk patients is justified. This study confirms the importance of a multidisciplinary treatment for high-risk patients in high-volume centers.

Women's cardiovascular risk before and after menopause: A red alert for heart attack!

Cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of death in women, 16 times more frequent than breast cancer, and with more and more young women at risk. Young women are exposed to serial loss of chance, related to sex, with specific female hormonal cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF): contraception, pregnancy and menopause; and to gender: atypic symptoms, underestimation, poor risk-factor control, undertreatment and lack of follow-up, and specific atheromatous disease. Prevalence and impact of risk factors differ between males and females. At a given age, women show more CVRFs than men. This is due to negative lifestyle changes, with increasing smoking, stress, obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Some CVRFs such as hypertension, smoking, stress and diabetes have more severe arterial impact in women than men. Psychosocial factors are emerging risk factors, especially in younger women. Specific hormonal risk is linked to contraception, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, miscarriage, age at menarche, hysterectomy and menopause. Moreover, classic CV risk scores are not adapted to women. An aggressive approach to CVRF management is essential for primary prevention of CV disease, using specific guidelines. Health professionals should conduct earlier personalized screening for women at risk and should encourage appropriate lifestyle changes. The gyneco-cardiology healthcare pathway is a real opportunity to improve cardiovascular prevention in women.