Masked arterial hypertension in a 64-year-old man with primary aldosteronism.

PURPOSE: Primary aldosteronism is one of the most frequent causes of secondary arterial hypertension, and whether primary aldosteronism is associated with masked hypertension is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We describe a 64-year-old man with a history of hypothyroidism, recurring hypokalaemia, and normal home and office blood pressure values. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring revealed masked hypertension with strikingly high systolic blood pressure variability and typical hypertension-mediated organ damage. RESULTS: The patient required gradual escalation of antihypertensive medication to four drugs. During the diagnostic process we identified primary aldosteronism, cobalamin deficiency, severe obstructive sleep apnoea, and low baroreflex sensitivity (1.63 ms/mmHg). Following unilateral adrenalectomy, cobalamin supplementation and continuous positive airway pressure, we observed a spectacular improvement in the patient's blood pressure control, baroreflex sensitivity (4.82 ms/mmHg) and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: We report an unusual case of both masked arterial hypertension and primary aldosteronism. Elevated blood pressure values were masked in home and office measurements by coexisting hypotension which resulted most probably from deteriorated baroreflex sensitivity. Baroreflex sensitivity increased following treatment, including unilateral adrenalectomy. Hypertension can be masked by coexisting baroreceptor dysfunction which may derive from structural but also functional reversible changes.

[Stress-induced arterial hypertension].

Stress is considered as one of the factors associated with the development of many diseases, including the cardiovascular system. The history of studying stress as a risk factor for hypertension began in the first half of the 20th century and continued after the introduction of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) into clinical practice. Then it turned out that there is normotension, stable hypertension and latent hypertension: masked (when clinical BP is within the normal range, and arterial hypertension is recorded according to ABPM and/or self-monitoring of BP) and white coat hypertension (increased BP during a visit to the doctor when normal values of blood pressure according to ABPM or self-monitoring of BP). Currently, both variants of latent hypertension are classified as stress-induced arterial hypertension. Several models have been proposed for the study of stress, but two of them are more common in clinical studies: the Karasek model (based on an imbalance between job demands and job decision latitude) and the Siegrist model (based on an imbalance of effort and reward). There are only few studies in where attempts have been made to link the increase in BP with the parameters of stress response (for example, with hormonal levels) or genetic predisposition. The review discusses the most significant studies of stress-induced arterial hypertension published to date.

[Masked arterial hypertension in patients with type2 diabetes mellitus: Prevalence, associated factors and cardiovascular impact]. / L'hypertension artérielle masquée chez les diabétiques de type 2 : Prévalence, facteurs associés et retentissement cardiovasculaire.

PROBLEMATIC AND OBJECTIVE: Masked arterial hypertension (MHTN) is a recently described entity that is associated with the same cardiovascular risk as permanent hypertension. Its prevalence is more frequent in patients with diabetes. The objective of this study is to assess the value of systematic screening for MHTN by 24-hour blood pressure monitoring in a population of type 2 diabetic patients by estimating its prevalence and looking for predictive factors of MHTN in this population. METHODS: Through a prospective study, we recruited normotensive type 2 diabetics for clinical measurement, in whom we systematically searched for MHTN by performing an ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM). The diagnosis of MHTN is established if: mean daytime BP ≥ 135/85 mmHg and / or, mean nighttime BP ≥ 120/70 mmHg and / or, mean 24 hour BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg. We then compared the two populations of MHTN (G1) and normotensive (G2) on clinical and laboratory parameters and we assessed end-organ damage in order to identify the predictive factors of MHTN. RESULTS: We recruited 53 patients whose mean age was 55.3 ± 8.4 years (range 35-72 years) with a female predominance (53%). The duration of diabetes was on average 8.7 ± 3.9 years with extremes between 2 and 17 years. The average BMI of our patients was 28.2 ± 5.3 Kg/m2. Overweight was found in almost half of our patients (47.2%). Obesity was found in 32.1% of cases. Metabolic syndrome was found in 64.2% of patients. In our study, the prevalence of HTAM in type 2 diabetics was 64%. We also found that MHTN was more often nocturnal (58.5%) and occurred mainly in non-dipper patients. Left ventricular hypertrophy, microalbuminuria and arterial stiffness evidenced by pulse pressure greater than 60mmHg were more common in the MHTN group. For the predictive factors of MHTN, we were able to collect in univariate analysis the following factors: duration of diabetes, fasting blood sugar, weight and microalbuminuria. In multivariate analysis, the predictive factors that emerged in our study are poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥7%), high BMI and duration of diabetes. CONCLUSION: MHTN should be sought in diabetics because it allows a better assessment of the cardiovascular risk, in particular by identifying end-organ damage.