Kinetics of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides during hemodialysis are regulated in association with different cardiac functional changes.

The blood levels of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) are both increased markedly in hemodialysis patients, but the kinetics of the two are not always parallel. The present study investigated the association of changes in ANP and BNP levels before and after dialysis with changes in cardiac function in hemodialysis patients. A total of 57 patients (mean age 64 years, 47 males and 10 females) on maintenance hemodialysis with sinus rhythm were enrolled. Blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of dialysis, and plasma levels of ANP and BNP were measured. Changes in cardiac function during dialysis were examined by echocardiography performed just before and after dialysis. Both plasma ANP and BNP concentrations decreased significantly after hemodialysis, but the rate of decrease in BNP [mean ± SD, 555 ± 503 to 519 ± 477 pg/mL (- 6.4%), P = 0.011] was much smaller than that in ANP [233 ± 123 to 132 ± 83 pg/mL (- 43.4%), P < 0.001]. As for the relation to the changes in echocardiographic parameters before and after dialysis, the decrease in inferior vena cava diameter had a close correlation with the decrease in ANP (r = 0.528, P < 0.001), but not BNP. In contrast, the decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic volume index was correlated only with the decrease in BNP (r = 0.297, P = 0.035). The peak velocity ratio of early diastolic to atrial filling decreased with preload reduction by dialysis, and its decrease was more strongly correlated with the decrease in BNP (r = 0.407, P = 0.002) than that in ANP (r = 0.273, P = 0.040). These results demonstrated that in hemodialysis patients, the decrease in plasma ANP by a single dialysis was essentially caused by blood volume reduction, while BNP decrease was mainly induced by the reduction of left ventricular overload. Our findings indicate that the kinetics of both peptides during dialysis are regulated by different cardiac and hemodynamic factors.

Gene and environmental interactions according to the components of lifestyle modifications in hypertension guidelines.

Risk factors for hypertension consist of lifestyle and genetic factors. Family history and twin studies have yielded heritability estimates of BP in the range of 34-67%. The most recent paper of BP GWAS has explained about 20% of the population variation of BP. An overestimation of heritability may have occurred in twin studies due to violations of shared environment assumptions, poor phenotyping practices in control cohorts, failure to account for epistasis, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, and other non-genetic sources of phenotype modulation that are suspected to lead to underestimations of heritability in GWAS. The recommendations of hypertension guidelines in major countries consist of the following elements: weight reduction, a healthy diet, dietary sodium reduction, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, and moderate alcohol consumption. The hypertension guidelines are mostly the same for each country or region, beyond race and culture. In this review, we summarize gene-environmental interactions associated with hypertension by describing lifestyle modifications according to the hypertension guidelines. In the era of precision medicine, clinicians who are responsible for hypertension management should consider the gene-environment interactions along with the appropriate lifestyle components toward the prevention and treatment of hypertension. We briefly reviewed the interaction of genetic and environmental factors along the constituent elements of hypertension guidelines, but a sufficient amount of evidence has not yet accumulated, and the results of genetic factors often differed in each study.

Effects of cigarette smoking on ambulatory blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability in treated hypertensive patients.

We investigated the influence of cigarette smoking on the levels and circadian patterns of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and HR variability (HRV) in hypertensive patients. Sixteen hypertensive smokers (57 ± 2 years old) receiving antihypertensive treatments participated in this study. Ambulatory monitoring of BP, HR, and electrocardiograms was performed every 30 min for 24 hours on a smoking day and nonsmoking day in a randomized crossover manner. Average 24-hour BP and daytime BP were significantly higher in the smoking period than in the nonsmoking period. No significant differences were observed in nighttime BP between the two periods. Average 24-hour and daytime HR, but not nighttime HR, were also higher in the smoking period than in the nonsmoking period. The daytime high frequency (HF) component of HRV was attenuated more in the smoking period than in the nonsmoking period. No significant differences were observed in the low frequency (LF) components of HRV or LF/HF ratio between the two periods. These results demonstrated that cigarette smoking increased the daytime and average 24-hour BP and HR, and the increases observed in daytime BP and HR were associated with the attenuation of parasympathetic nerve activity.

Trends in the awareness of salt restriction and actual salt intake in hypertensive patients at a hypertension clinic and general clinic: A one-year follow-up study.

The aim of the present study was to investigate trends in the awareness of salt restriction and actual salt intake in hypertensive patients at a hypertension clinic and general clinic following guidance regarding salt restriction. Subjects comprised 107 patients (mean age 71 ± 12 years) who were followed at a hypertension clinic and 164 patients (mean age 68 ± 11 years) who were followed at a general clinic. Estimated salt intake using spot urine samples and awareness of salt intake using a self-description questionnaire were assessed in 2013 and one year after guidance regarding salt restriction. No significant changes were observed in office blood pressure at the two clinics. Estimated salt intake in 2013 was slightly lower at the hypertension clinic than at the general clinic (8.9 ± 2.5 vs 9.3 ± 2.5 g/day). Estimated salt intake decreased and the awareness of salt intake improved significantly after one year at both clinics; however, the reduction in estimated salt intake was larger at the general clinic than that at the hypertension clinic (-1.6 ± 3.2 vs -0.6 ± 2.9 g/day, p < 0.01). Individual guidance including data on actual salt intake appeared to be effective and important for reducing salt intake in hypertensive patients.

Effects of daily walking on office, home and 24-h blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

Aerobic exercise has been recommended in the management of hypertension. However, few studies have examined the effect of walking on ambulatory blood pressure (BP), and no studies have employed home BP monitoring. We investigated the effects of daily walking on office, home, and 24-h ambulatory BP in hypertensive patients. Sixty-five treated or untreated patients with essential hypertension (39 women and 26 men, 60 ± 9 years) were examined in a randomized cross-over design. The patients were asked to take a daily walk of 30-60 min to achieve 10 000 steps/d for 4 weeks, and to maintain usual activities for another 4 weeks. The number of steps taken and home BP were recorded everyday. Measurement of office and ambulatory BP, and sampling of blood and urine were performed at the end of each period. The average number of steps were 5349 ± 2267/d and 10 049 ± 3403/d in the control and walking period, respectively. Body weight and urinary sodium excretion did not change. Office, home, and 24-h BP in the walking period were lower compared to the control period by 2.6 ± 9.4/1.3 ± 4.9 mmHg (p < 0.05), 1.6 ± 6.8/1.5 ± 3.7 mmHg (p < 0.01), and 2.4 ± 7.6/1.8 ± 5.3 mmHg (p < 0.01), respectively. Average 24-h heart rate and serum triglyceride also decreased significantly. The changes in 24-h BP with walking significantly correlated with the average 24-h BP in the control period. In conclusion, daily walking lowered office, home, and 24-h BP, and improved 24-h heart rate and lipid metabolism in hypertensive patients. However, the small changes in BP may limit the value of walking as a non-pharmacologic therapy for hypertension.

Effects of a selective aldosterone blocker and thiazide-type diuretic on blood pressure and organ damage in hypertensive patients.

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of the aldosterone blocker eplerenone and thiazide-like diuretic indapamide on blood pressure (BP) and target organs with reference to salt intake in hypertensive outpatients. Twenty hypertensive patients (nine women and 11 men, mean age 71 ± 13 years) with inadequate BP control despite taking calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) were administered eplerenone (50 mg/day) or indapamide (1 mg/day) for 3 months each in a randomized crossover manner. Salt intake, BP and indices of organ damage were assessed at baseline and at the end of each treatment period. Eplerenone and indapamide were similarly effective in lowering office and home BPs. Both the treatments significantly reduced the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and increased serum uric acid levels. The treatment with eplerenone significantly increased serum potassium levels, whereas the treatment with indapamide significantly decreased them. The treatment with eplerenone significantly decreased pulse wave velocity and urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels. These changes were not significantly affected by the treatment with indapamide. In conclusion, eplerenone and indapamide were similarly effective in lowering office and home BPs in hypertensive patients treated with CCBs and ARBs. Eplerenone may exert more favorable effects on arterial stiffness and oxidative stress.

Awareness of salt restriction and actual salt intake in hypertensive patients at a hypertension clinic and general clinic.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate awareness of salt restriction and actual salt intake in hypertensive patients at a hypertension clinic and general clinic. Subjects included 330 patients, with a mean age of 69±12 years, who were followed at a hypertension clinic and 200 patients, with a mean age of 67±11 years, who were followed at a general clinic. We estimated 24-h salt excretion using spot urine samples and checked the awareness of salt intake using a self-description questionnaire. The number of antihypertensive drugs available at the hypertension clinic was significantly higher than that at the general clinic (2.2±1.1 versus 1.6±0.9, p<0.01); however, no significant difference was observed in office systolic blood pressure between the two groups. Urinary salt excretion was significantly lower at the hypertension clinic than at the general clinic (8.7±2.5 versus 9.3±2.5 g/d, p<0.01). The rate of achievement of salt intake<6 g/d was 15% at the hypertension clinic and 6% at the general clinic. In patients with excessive salt intake (≥10 g/d), 28% of patients at the hypertensive clinic and 23% at the general clinic thought that their salt intake was low. Urinary salt excretion in hypertensive patients was lower at a hypertensive clinic than at a general clinic. This may be due to the professional nutritional guidance at the hypertension clinic. However, most patients could not comply with the guidelines, and the awareness of salt restriction in patients with excessive salt intake was low.

Related factors for worsening renal function following percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

PURPOSE: To identify candidates for PTRA in terms of the preservation of renal function, we herein evaluated factors that caused worsening renal function (WRF) after PTRA. METHODS: We evaluated 92 patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (mean age 70.7 ± 8.4 years). WRF was defined as a ≥0.3 mg/dL increase in creatinine levels after PTRA compared to before PTRA. RESULTS: A total of 92 patients exhibited non-WRF 83 (90.2%), WRF 9 (9.8%). Significant differences were observed in serum creatinine levels between two groups both before (non-WRF 1.34 ± 0.49 versus WRF 1.70 ± 0.68 mg/dL, p = 0.0462) and after PTRA (non-WRF 1.31 ± 0.43 versus WRF 2.42 ± 1.12 mg/dL, p < 0.0001). Patients with WRF had higher comorbidity rate of diabetes mellitus (DM) (non-WRF 31.3% versus WRF 66.7%, p = 0.0345) and proteinuria (non-WRF 27.7% versus WRF 66.7%, p = 0.0169), and had higher systolic blood pressure (non-WRF 143.6 ± 18.7 versus WRF 157.1 ± 19.9 mmHg, p = 0.0436), higher plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and larger left atrial and left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions before PTRA. Patients with WRF had a higher rate of taking diuretics (non-WRF 27.7% versus WRF 66.7%, p = 0.0169) after PTRA. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that comorbidity of DM was an independent related factor for WRF (comorbidity of DM, yes: OR 31.0, 95% CI 2.44-1024.62, p = 0.0055). CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity of DM, coexisting of proteinuria, high creatinine level, high blood pressure, high BNP levels, and large left atrial and ventricular dimensions were related to WRF after PTRA in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis.

Trend of office and home blood pressure control in treated hypertensive patients: changes in antihypertensive medication and salt intake.

Blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensives has improved in recent years; however, it remains insufficient. We investigated the trend of BP control status in hypertensive patients with antihypertensive medication and salt intake. Two hundred and eight treated hypertensive patients were prospectively followed between 2007 and 2012. During this period, average clinic BP significantly decreased from 137±12/80±9 to 133±11/76±8 mmHg, and the achievement rate of BP control defined as <140/90 mmHg increased from 58% to 71% (p<0.01). Morning home BP also significantly decreased from 132±8/80±8 to 130±8/76±7 mmHg, and the percentage of patients with sustained hypertension (CBP≥140/90 mmHg and HBP≥135/85 mmHg) decreased from 27% to 16% (p<0.05). The number of antihypertensive drugs increased significantly from 2.1±1.2 to 2.3±1.1 (p<0.01), while no differences were observed in urinary salt excretion (9.0±2.4 g/day in 2007, 9.0±2.6 g/day in 2012). Office and home BP decreased and the rate of BP control increased in treated hypertensive patients in the past 5 years. Intensive pharmacological therapy, but not a reduction in salt intake appears to have contributed to improved BP control.

Impact of pump replacement on outcome in advanced heart failure patients with left ventricular assist system.

Pump thrombosis is one of the major adverse events associated with the use of a left ventricular assist system (LVAS) in patients with advanced heart failure. We investigated the clinical implication of pump replacement because of thrombus formation. This study included 87 patients who underwent implantation of a Nipro (Toyobo) pulsatile extracorporeal LVAS intended as a bridge to transplantation and were alive more than 3 months after implantation. The pump of this device is translucent, and daily evaluation for signs of thrombus formation was performed. Pump replacement was performed for significant thrombus formation that became visible. Data collection including demographics as well as hematologic values were performed 1 day before (baseline) and 3 months after implantation, and all patients were followed for 2 years or until death. At 3 months after LVAS implantation, 41 patients (47.1%) had undergone pump replacement because of pump thrombus. Baseline body surface area <1.63 m(2) was a significant predictor of pump replacement (hazard ratio [HR] 2.15, P = 0.04). At 3 months after implantation, there was a significantly higher incidence of stroke (P < 0.05) as well as a significantly greater decrease in body weight (F = 4.92, P = 0.03) in patients who underwent pump replacement as compared to those without. The 2-year mortality after implantation was 26.4%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that pump replacement within 3 months after implantation was an independent predictor of mortality (HR 2.50, P = 0.03). In conclusion, pump replacement for thrombus formation may have a strong association with worse outcome. Our results reconfirm the clinical importance of device thrombus in the management of LVAS.

Control of home blood pressure with an amlodipine- or losartan-based regimen and progression of carotid artery intima-media thickness in hypertensive patients: the HOSP substudy.

Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) has emerged as a predictor of cardiovascular events. Home blood pressure (BP) is more closely associated with cardiovascular prognosis than clinic BP. The aim of this study was to compare the progression of carotid IMT with respect to strict and mild control of morning home systolic BP (SBP) and amlodipine- and losartan-based antihypertensive therapy in hypertensive patients. Subjects included 80 hypertensive outpatients who participated in the Hypertension Control Based on Home Systolic Pressure (HOSP) pilot study. After a 1-month drug-free period, the patients were randomly assigned to either the strict control group (target SBP <130 mm Hg) or the mild control group (130-139 mm Hg) and to either the amlodipine group or the losartan group. Additional antihypertensive drugs were added if target BP was not achieved with monotherapy. Morning SBP achieved target levels during 5 years in the strict control group and in the mild control group, while it was comparable between amlodipine and losartan groups. In all patients, mean and maximum carotid IMT increased significantly. Changes in carotid IMT did not differ between strict and mild control groups. Changes in mean carotid IMT in amlodipine group were smaller than those in losartan group at year 1, but were not different between the two groups at year 5. In conclusion, carotid IMT increased over time in hypertensive patients in spite of the strict control of home BP. Amlodipine may slow the progression of IMT more than losartan, although a difference was not obvious after 5 years.

Blood pressure, arterial waveform, and arterial stiffness during hemodialysis and their clinical implications in intradialytic hypotension.

This study included 152 hemodialysis patients (mean age, 69 years; 34.2% female) and investigated serial changes in blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness indices during hemodialysis using an oscillometric device, SphygmoCor XCEL, and examined whether assessment of the arterial waveform has clinical implications for the management of intradialytic hypotension (IDH). Measurement was performed every 30 min during hemodialysis, and the threshold defining IDH was systolic BP (SBP) decrease ≥40 mmHg or a requirement for antihypotensive medication in all patients and ≥ the 75th percentile of maximum SBP decrease during hemodialysis (≥34 mmHg) in the subgroup without antihypotensive medication (n = 98). In all patients, a 1-standard deviation (SD) increase in the baseline subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR), an index of myocardial perfusion, was an independent predictor of IDH (odds ratio [OR] 0.43, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis, a serial change in SBP and all arterial waveform indices, including the augmentation index, augmented pressure (AP), and SEVR, during hemodialysis were greater for IDH than for non-IDH patients (all p < 0.01 by 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA), with the exception of heart rate (p = 0.40) and diastolic pressure time index (p = 0.21). Diabetes (OR 4.08), a 1-SD increase in ultrafiltration rate (OR 2.07), fractional shortening (OR 0.45), baseline SEVR (OR 0.36) and the first 1-h percent change in AP (OR 0.52) were independent predictors of IDH (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, impaired myocardial perfusion and increased arterial stiffness, particularly poor arteriolar responsiveness to acute dialysis-related changes, are associated with IDH, and predialysis SEVR evaluation can complement screening for IDH.

Efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan after switching from azilsartan in hemodialysis patients with hypertension.

This study assessed the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in 23 hemodialysis patients with hypertension (mean age 70 years; male 69.6%) after switching from azilsartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker. Both at baseline and 3 months after the start of sacubitril/valsartan treatment, home blood pressure (BP), BP values during hemodialysis, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level were measured. The mean dosage of azilsartan was 30 ± 10 mg/day at baseline and that of sacubitril/valsartan after 3 months of treatment was 204 ± 64 mg/day. After 3 months, significant reductions in mean morning home BP (155 ± 17/80 ± 12 to 147 ± 16/76 ± 11 mmHg), mean nighttime home systolic BP (153 ± 19 to 144 ± 16 mmHg), and median (IQRs) NT-proBNP level [8124 (2620-13 394) to 6271 (1570-9591) pg/mL] were observed (all P < .05), whereas BP values during hemodialysis did not change significantly. In hemodialysis patients, except for hypotension, sacubitril/valsartan was generally well tolerated, effectively controlled out-of-office BP, and improved NT-proBNP.

Effect of pulsatile left ventricular assist system implantation on Doppler measurements of renal hemodynamics in patients with advanced heart failure.

The effects of left ventricular assist system (LVAS) implantation on renal hemodynamics remains to be fully elucidated. We evaluated renal function and intrarenal blood flow in five advanced heart failure patients who had been supported with a Toyobo LVAS for bridge to heart transplantation. Renal function expressed as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the modified formula of Modification of Diet in Renal Disease. Mean blood velocities in the bilateral segmental arteries during systolic and diastolic perfusion were measured using duplex Doppler sonography, and renal vascular resistance (resistive index [RI]) of the segmental arteries was defined as (peak systolic velocity [PSV]-end-diastolic velocity [EDV])/PSV. All studies were performed before and after implantation (mean duration of support, 15.6±10.9 months). LVAS implantation significantly improved eGFR (42.7±7.9 to 64.1±16.3mL/min, P<0.05). Beat-by-beat measurements of heart rate did not change significantly. Mean PSV decreased significantly (38.2±8.9 to 28.3±2.2cm/s, P<0.05), and mean EDV increased significantly (8.3±3.2 to 11.3±1.3cm/s, P<0.05), and thus, mean RI was significantly improved (0.79±0.06 to 0.60±0.04, P<0.01). In conclusion, in advanced heart failure patients, pulsatile LVAS implantation is associated with improved renal function, and this improvement may be mediated in part through an improvement of intrarenal hemodynamics.

Comprehensive assessment of metabolic syndrome among rural Bangladeshi women.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS), defined as a constellation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, is one of the fastest growing public health burdens in the Asia-Pacific region. This trend is despite the fact that people in this region are no more overweight than Europeans and Americans. Unfortunately, in South Asia, MS screening has only been performed in a few countries other than Bangladesh. Therefore the present study is designed to conduct a comprehensive screening of MS in Bangladeshi rural women, which includes estimation of prevalence and assessment of risk factor. METHODS: A total of 1535 rural Bangladesh women aged ≥ 15 years were studied using a population based cross-sectional survey. The prevalence of MS was estimated using NCEP ATP III, modified NCEP ATP III and IDF criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of MS were 25.60% (NCEP ATP III), 36.68% (modified NCEP ATP III), and 19.80% (IDF), as revealed by the present study. Furthermore, based on the NCEP ATP III criteria, 11.60% of the subjects were found to have excess waist circumference; 29.12% had elevated blood pressure, 30.42% had elevated fasting plasma glucose level, 85.47% had low HDL values and 26.91% had increased triglyceride values. Low plasma HDL level was found to be the most common abnormality in the target population and elevated waist circumference was the least frequent component. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reveals a high prevalence of MS and its associated risk factors in rural Bangladeshi women. These findings are important in that they provide insights that will be helpful in formulating effective public health policy, notably the development of future health prevention strategies in Bangladesh.

Impact of Percutaneous Transluminal Renal Angioplasty on Autonomic Nervous System and Natriuresis in Hypertensive Patients With Renal Artery Stenosis.

Background We investigated the early postoperative effect of percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty on ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and the circadian characteristics of natriuresis and autonomic nerve activity. Methods and Results A total of 64 patients with hypertension with hemodynamically significant renal artery stenosis (mean age, 60.0±21.0 years; 31.3% fibromuscular dysplasia) who underwent angioplasty were included, and circadian characteristics of natriuresis as well as heart rate variability indices, including 24-hour BP, low-frequency and high-frequency (HF) components, and the percentage of differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals >50 ms were evaluated using an oscillometric device, TM-2425, both at baseline and 3 days after angioplasty. In both the fibromuscular dysplasia and atherosclerotic stenosis groups, 24-hour systolic BP (fibromuscular dysplasia, -19±14; atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis, -11±9 mm Hg), percentage of differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals >50 ms, HF, brain natriuretic peptide, and nighttime urinary sodium excretion decreased (all P<0.01), and heart rate increased (both P<0.05) after angioplasty. In both groups, revascularization increased the night/day ratios of percentage of differences between adjacent normal R-R intervals >50 ms (both P<0.01) and HF, and decreased those of low frequency/HF (all P<0.05) and nighttime urinary sodium excretion (fibromuscular dysplasia, 1.17±0.15 to 0.78±0.09; atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis, 1.37±0.10 to 0.99±0.06, both P<0.01). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that a 1-SD increase in baseline low frequency/HF was associated with at least a 15% decrease in 24-hour systolic BP after angioplasty (odds ratio, 2.30 [95% CI, 1.03-5.67]; P<0.05). Conclusions Successful revascularization results in a significant BP decrease in the early postoperative period. Intrarenal perfusion might be a key modulator of the circadian patterns of autonomic nerve activity and natriuresis, and pretreatment heart rate variability evaluation seems to be important for treatment success.

Renoprotective effect of chronic treatment with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and its associated factors in Japanese patients with chronic heart failure and diabetes.

Background: Recent clinical trials have shown that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have beneficial effects on renal function in heart failure patients. This study confirmed the renoprotective effect of treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors in Japanese patients with chronic heart failure and diabetes and further investigated what cardiac/hemodynamic and noncardiac factors are involved in its effect. Methods: Eligible 50 outpatients with chronic heart failure and type-2 diabetes mellitus chronically taking SGLT2 inhibitors were enrolled. Annual changing rates of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were compered before and after treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors and the associations of the change in eGFR slope after SGLT2 inhibitor administration with changes in various clinical and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. Results: The mean follow-up periods before and after SGLT2 inhibitor administration were 2.6 and 1.9 years, respectively. Changing rates of eGFR per year were significantly improved after treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors (-5.78 ± 7.67 to -0.43 ± 10.81 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, p = 0.006). The daily doses of loop diuretics were not altered after SGLT2 inhibitor administration. Neither decreased body weight nor increased hematocrit was associated with the change in eGFR slope before and after SGLT2 inhibitor administration. While, the decrease in inferior vena cava diameter and the increase in its respiratory collapsibility were significantly correlated with the improvement of eGFR decline slope after SGLT2 inhibitor administration. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that chronic treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors ameliorated annual decline in eGFR in Japanese patients with chronic heart failure, suggesting the possibility that the improvement of venous congestion was involved in its renoprotective effect.

Interleukin-6 as an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events in high-risk Japanese patients: comparison with C-reactive protein.

Inflammation is associated with the development of atherosclerotic vascular lesions and some inflammatory parameters are used as cardiovascular (CV) risk markers. The present study was designed to assess the predictive power of interleukin (IL)-6 for future CV events. In 121 Japanese patients with multiple CV risk factors and/or disease, serum concentrations of IL-6 and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. During follow-up periods (mean, 2.9 years) after the baseline assessment, 50 patients newly experienced CV events such as stroke/transient ischemic attack (n=10), heart failure hospitalization (n=6), acute coronary syndrome (n=7), and revascularization for coronary artery disease (n=15) and peripheral arterial disease (n=12). The serum level of IL-6, but not hs-CRP, was significantly higher in patients who had CV events than in event-free subjects (3.9±2.6 and 3.0±2.2 pg/mL, P=0.04). When the patients were divided into three groups by tertiles of basal levels of IL-6 (<1.85, 1.85-3.77, and ≥3.77 pg/mL), cumulative event-free rates by the Kaplan-Meier method were decreased according to the increase in basal IL-6 levels (65%, 50%, and 19% in the lowest, middle, and highest tertiles of IL-6, respectively; log-rank test, P=0.002). By univariate Cox regression analysis, previous CV disease, creatinine clearance, and serum IL-6 levels were significantly associated with CV events during follow-up. Among these possible predictors, the highest tertile of IL-6 was only an independent determinant for the morbidity in the multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 2.80 vs. lowest tertile, P=0.006). These findings indicate that IL-6 is a powerful independent predictor of future CV events in high-risk Japanese patients, suggesting its predictive value is superior to that of hs-CRP.

[Measurement and clinical evaluation of blood pressure in the management of hypertension].

It has been increasingly recognized that, for the reliable assessment of blood pressure (BP) and the accurate diagnosis of hypertension, not only office-BP but out-of-office BP measurement with ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) or self BP measurement at home is useful and important. Although office-BP should be used as reference, ABPM and home BP monitoring improves the prediction of cardiovascular risk in untreated and treated hypertensive patients. In this article, we reviewed the methodology for measuring BP by these procedures, its diagnostic and therapeutic thresholds, and its clinical applications in the management of hypertension. We also mentioned the abnormal circadian rhythm of BP and related conditions diagnosed by the implementation of these procedures.

Associations Between Arterial Stiffness Indices and Chronic Kidney Disease Categories in Essential Hypertensive Patients.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the association between arterial stiffness indices and asymptomatic chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk categories in hypertensive patients. METHODS: Arterial stiffness indices, including 24-hour brachial and aortic systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse wave velocity (PWV), were measured by an oscillometric Mobil-O-Graph device, brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) by a volume-plethysmographic method, and renal resistive index (RI) by ultrasonography, in 184 essential hypertensive patients (66.0 ± 17.1 years, 47.3% male). CKD was categorized into 3 stages based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria, using a combination of estimated glomerular filtration and albuminuria. RESULTS: The 24-hour aortic PWV (aPWV), baPWV, and RI increased with worsening severity of CKD risk category (all P < 0.01 for trend). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that a 1 SD increase of nighttime aortic SBP (odds ratio [OR] 1.52), PWV (OR 4.80), or RI (OR 1.75) was an independent predictor of high or very-high CKD stage (all P < 0.05). After adjustment for potential confounders, day-to-night change in brachial SBP as well as in aPWV differed among groups (P < 0.05, respectively). In a multivariate regression model, day-to-night changes in aortic SBP and PWV, and RI were independently associated with day-to-night brachial SBP change. CONCLUSIONS: In hypertension, circadian hemodynamics in high CKD stage are characterized by higher nighttime values of aortic SBP and PWV and disturbed intrarenal hemodynamics. Further, the blunted nocturnal BP reduction in these patients might be mediated via disturbed intrarenal hemodynamics and circadian hemodynamic variation in aortic SBP and arterial stiffness.