Brazilian Guidelines for In-office and Out-of-office Blood Pressure Measurement ­ 2023 / Diretrizes Brasileiras de Medidas da Pressão Arterial Dentro e Fora do Consultório ­ 2023

Hypertension is one of the primary modifiable risk factors for morbidity and mortality worldwide, being a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, stroke, and kidney failure. Furthermore, it is highly prevalent, affecting more than one-third of the global population. Blood pressure measurement is a MANDATORY procedure in any medical care setting and is carried out by various healthcare professionals. However, it is still commonly performed without the necessary technical care. Since the diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurement, it is clear how important it is to handle the techniques, methods, and equipment used in its execution with care. It should be emphasized that once the diagnosis is made, all short-term, medium-term, and long-term investigations and treatments are based on the results of blood pressure measurement. Therefore, improper techniques and/or equipment can lead to incorrect diagnoses, either underestimating or overestimating values, resulting in inappropriate actions and significant health and economic losses for individuals and nations. Once the correct diagnosis is made, as knowledge of the importance of proper treatment advances, with the adoption of more detailed normal values and careful treatment objectives towards achieving stricter blood pressure goals, the importance of precision in blood pressure measurement is also reinforced. Blood pressure measurement (described below) is usually performed using the traditional method, the so-called casual or office measurement. Over time, alternatives have been added to it, through the use of semi-automatic or automatic devices by the patients themselves, in waiting rooms or outside the office, in their own homes, or in public spaces. A step further was taken with the use of semi-automatic devices equipped with memory that allow sequential measurements outside the office (ABPM; or HBPM) and other automatic devices that allow programmed measurements over longer periods (HBPM). Some aspects of blood pressure measurement can interfere with obtaining reliable results and, consequently, cause harm in decision-making. These include the importance of using average values, the variation in blood pressure during the day, and short-term variability. These aspects have encouraged the performance of a greater number of measurements in various situations, and different guidelines have advocated the use of equipment that promotes these actions. Devices that perform HBPM or ABPM, which, in addition to allowing greater precision, when used together, detect white coat hypertension (WCH), masked hypertension (MH), sleep blood pressure alterations, and resistant hypertension (RHT) (defined in Chapter 2 of this guideline), are gaining more and more importance. Taking these details into account, we must emphasize that information related to diagnosis, classification, and goal setting is still based on office blood pressure measurement, and for this reason, all attention must be given to the proper execution of this procedure.

La hipertensión arterial (HTA) es uno de los principales factores de riesgo modificables para la morbilidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo, siendo uno de los mayores factores de riesgo para la enfermedad de las arterias coronarias, el accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) y la insuficiencia renal. Además, es altamente prevalente y afecta a más de un tercio de la población mundial. La medición de la presión arterial (PA) es un procedimiento OBLIGATORIO en cualquier atención médica o realizado por diferentes profesionales de la salud. Sin embargo, todavía se realiza comúnmente sin los cuidados técnicos necesarios. Dado que el diagnóstico se basa en la medición de la PA, es claro el cuidado que debe haber con las técnicas, los métodos y los equipos utilizados en su realización. Debemos enfatizar que una vez realizado el diagnóstico, todas las investigaciones y tratamientos a corto, mediano y largo plazo se basan en los resultados de la medición de la PA. Por lo tanto, las técnicas y/o equipos inadecuados pueden llevar a diagnósticos incorrectos, subestimando o sobreestimando valores y resultando en conductas inadecuadas y pérdidas significativas para la salud y la economía de las personas y las naciones. Una vez realizado el diagnóstico correcto, a medida que avanza el conocimiento sobre la importancia del tratamiento adecuado, con la adopción de valores de normalidad más detallados y objetivos de tratamiento más cuidadosos hacia metas de PA más estrictas, también se refuerza la importancia de la precisión en la medición de la PA. La medición de la PA (descrita a continuación) generalmente se realiza mediante el método tradicional, la llamada medición casual o de consultorio. Con el tiempo, se han agregado alternativas a través del uso de dispositivos semiautomáticos o automáticos por parte del propio paciente, en salas de espera o fuera del consultorio, en su propia residencia o en espacios públicos. Se dio un paso más con el uso de dispositivos semiautomáticos equipados con memoria que permiten mediciones secuenciales fuera del consultorio (AMPA; o MRPA) y otros automáticos que permiten mediciones programadas durante períodos más largos (MAPA). Algunos aspectos en la medición de la PA pueden interferir en la obtención de resultados confiables y, en consecuencia, causar daños en las decisiones a tomar. Estos incluyen la importancia de usar valores promedio, la variación de la PA durante el día y la variabilidad a corto plazo. Estos aspectos han alentado la realización de un mayor número de mediciones en diversas situaciones, y diferentes pautas han abogado por el uso de equipos que promuevan estas acciones. Los dispositivos que realizan MRPA o MAPA, que además de permitir una mayor precisión, cuando se usan juntos, detectan la hipertensión de bata blanca (HBB), la hipertensión enmascarada (HM), las alteraciones de la PA durante el sueño y la hipertensión resistente (HR) (definida en el Capítulo 2 de esta guía), están ganando cada vez más importancia. Teniendo en cuenta estos detalles, debemos enfatizar que la información relacionada con el diagnóstico, la clasificación y el establecimiento de objetivos todavía se basa en la medición de la presión arterial en el consultorio, y por esta razón, se debe prestar toda la atención a la ejecución adecuada de este procedimiento.

A hipertensão arterial (HA) é um dos principais fatores de risco modificáveis para morbidade e mortalidade em todo o mundo, sendo um dos maiores fatores de risco para doença arterial coronária, acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) e insuficiência renal. Além disso, é altamente prevalente e atinge mais de um terço da população mundial. A medida da PA é procedimento OBRIGATÓRIO em qualquer atendimento médico ou realizado por diferentes profissionais de saúde. Contudo, ainda é comumente realizada sem os cuidados técnicos necessários. Como o diagnóstico se baseia na medida da PA, fica claro o cuidado que deve haver com as técnicas, os métodos e os equipamentos utilizados na sua realização. Deve-se reforçar que, feito o diagnóstico, toda a investigação e os tratamentos de curto, médio e longo prazos são feitos com base nos resultados da medida da PA. Assim, técnicas e/ou equipamentos inadequados podem levar a diagnósticos incorretos, tanto subestimando quanto superestimando valores e levando a condutas inadequadas e grandes prejuízos à saúde e à economia das pessoas e das nações. Uma vez feito o diagnóstico correto, na medida em que avança o conhecimento da importância do tratamento adequado, com a adoção de valores de normalidade mais detalhados e com objetivos de tratamento mais cuidadosos no sentido do alcance de metas de PA mais rigorosas, fica também reforçada a importância da precisão na medida da PA. A medida da PA (descrita a seguir) é habitualmente feita pelo método tradicional, a assim chamada medida casual ou de consultório. Ao longo do tempo, foram agregadas alternativas a ela, mediante o uso de equipamentos semiautomáticos ou automáticos pelo próprio paciente, nas salas de espera ou fora do consultório, em sua própria residência ou em espaços públicos. Um passo adiante foi dado com o uso de equipamentos semiautomáticos providos de memória que permitem medidas sequenciais fora do consultório (AMPA; ou MRPA) e outros automáticos que permitem medidas programadas por períodos mais prolongados (MAPA). Alguns aspectos na medida da PA podem interferir na obtenção de resultados fidedignos e, consequentemente, causar prejuízo nas condutas a serem tomadas. Entre eles, estão: a importância de serem utilizados valores médios, a variação da PA durante o dia e a variabilidade a curto prazo. Esses aspectos têm estimulado a realização de maior número de medidas em diversas situações, e as diferentes diretrizes têm preconizado o uso de equipamentos que favoreçam essas ações. Ganham cada vez mais espaço os equipamentos que realizam MRPA ou MAPA, que, além de permitirem maior precisão, se empregados em conjunto, detectam a HA do avental branco (HAB), HA mascarada (HM), alterações da PA no sono e HA resistente (HAR) (definidos no Capítulo 2 desta diretriz). Resguardados esses detalhes, devemos ressaltar que as informações relacionadas a diagnóstico, classificação e estabelecimento de metas ainda são baseadas na medida da PA de consultório e, por esse motivo, toda a atenção deve ser dada à realização desse procedimento.

Serum Uric Acid Is Positively Associated with Muscle Mass and Strength, but Not with Functional Capacity, in Kidney Transplant Patients.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to associate serum uric acid (UA) with muscle mass, strength and functional capacity in kidney transplant patients (KTPs). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 113 KTPs. The fat-free mass and total and appendicular muscle mass were estimated by performing a bioelectrical impedance analysis. The strength was evaluated using the handgrip strength test (HGS) and the five times sit to stand test (5STS). The functional capacity was evaluated using the 4 m walk test and the short physical performance battery (SPPB). RESULTS: Linear regression showed that the UA levels were positively associated with the muscle mass, fat-free mass, appendicular muscle mass, muscle mass index and appendicular muscle mass index. The 5STS results (seconds) were inversely associated with the UA levels, showing that individuals with higher UA were more likely to have more strength. However, UA was not associated with the HGS, 4 m walk test and SPPB results. CONCLUSION: UA levels were positively associated with muscle mass and strength, but not with functional capacity, in KTPs.

Probability of At Least One High Arterial Blood Pressure Measurement in Elderly Patients with Healthy Vascular Aging in Two Years of Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Elderly patients with normal systemic arterial blood pressure associated with femoral carotid pulse velocity (cf-PWV) less than 7.6 m/s and without associated comorbidities are considered to have good vascular health. The aim of the current study was to verify the probability that elderly patients with good vascular health have at least one blood pressure measurement above the different thresholds for systolic blood pressure (120, 130 and 140 mmHg) during two years of follow-up. METHODS: We selected 72 normotensive patients (< 140/90 mmHg) without comorbidities and divided them into group A, with cf-PWV < 7.6 m/s (n = 27; 65 ± 4 years), and group B, with cf-PWV ≥ 7.6 m/s (n = 45; 66± 8 years). These patients were followed for two years and were observed in 3 outpatient visits (0, 12 and 24 months). At each visit, the brachial pressures were indirectly measured in triplicate, and applanation tonometry was performed. RESULTS: When group A and group B were compared, the odds ratio (OR) of having a systolic pressure measurement ≥ 140 mmHg in two years of follow-up was 0.22 (P < 0.0001); ≥ 130 mmHg, the OR was 0.49 (P < 0.0007), and ≥ 120 mmHg, the OR was 0.54 (P < 0.001). Group A and group B showed increased values of cf-PWV during the two years of follow-up (P < 0.05). Changes in the average systolic brachial pressure were not significant during the two years in groups A or B. CONCLUSION: Vascular health in elderly individuals seems to protect against occasional elevations in systemic arterial pressure.

Correlation between pre- and post-dialysis blood pressure levels in hemodialysis patients with intradialytic hypertension.

PURPOSE: To determine the association between arterial systolic blood pressure values at the beginning and at the end of a hemodialysis (HD) session in intradialytic hypertension patients. METHODS: This study evaluated the arterial systolic blood pressure patterns in 154 chronic kidney failure patients; among these patients, 18 were identified as having intradialytic hypertension. In the patients with intradialytic hypertension, four consecutive HD sessions were analyzed in which the systolic, diastolic, mean, and pulse blood pressures were automatically determined every 30 min. RESULTS: A linear relationship was revealed between the systolic blood pressure levels measured after 30 min and those obtained after 240 min of HD (r = 0.3894, p = 0.001). This association became stronger after 90 min (r = 0.5471; p < 0.001), indicating that for intradialytic hypertension patients, systolic blood pressure values at the beginning of HD were correlated with systolic blood pressure values at the end of the session. CONCLUSIONS: For intradialytic hypertension patients, values obtained at the end of HD are correlated with the initial values. This information could facilitate planning and earlier treatment.

A Specific Angiographic View of Left Coronary Artery Bifurcation in the Left Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Era.

OBJECTIVES: We propose a right lateral (90-120° RAO) with 30° cranial angiographic view to expose the bifurcation of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) when previously used routine projections were inefficient at clearly showing this region. BACKGROUND: Little has been published in the medical literature regarding angiographic projections dedicated to special anatomies. METHODS: A total of 84 patients were subjected to the proposed projections. A reproducibility study, conducted with the participation of 2 independent observers, judged the effectiveness of the proposed projection. The Prevalence and Bias Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) index, with a 95% confidence interval (CI), was used to demonstrate the intensity of intra/inter-observer agreement. RESULTS: The proposed projection was efficient in 79% of the angiograms, with agreement of 0.76 (0.6-0.9; P ≤ 0.001). The origins and the proximal segments of: the anterior descending coronary artery were exposed in 89% of the angiograms, agreement of 0.86 (0.7-1.0; P ≤ 0.001); the circumflex artery were exposed in 83% of the angiograms, with agreement of 0.72 (0.5-1.0; P ≤ 0.001); and the intermediate branch, when present, were exposed in 89% of the angiograms, agreement of 0.79 (0.6-1.0; P ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION: The right lateral (90-120° RAO) with 30° cranial projection is effective, safe, and reproducible. In special situations where routine projections fail, this proposed projection can reveal important details of the anatomy of the bifurcation of the LMCA during conventional coronary angiography or be the working projection during coronary angioplasty. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:293-299).

A Specific Angiographic View of Left Coronary Artery Bifurcation in theLeft Main Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Era

We propose a right lateral (90–120° RAO) with 30° cranial angiographic view to expose the bifurcationof the left main coronary artery (LMCA) when previously used routine projections were inefficient at clearlyshowing this region. Little has been published in the medical literature regarding angiographic projections dedicated tospecial anatomies. Methods: A total of 84 patients were subjected to the proposed projections. A reproducibility study, conducted withthe participation of 2 independent observers, judged the effectiveness of the proposed projection. The Prevalenceand Bias Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) index, with a 95% confidence interval (CI), was used to demonstrate theintensity of intra/inter-observer agreement...

Relative and absolute changes in urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and correlation with small increases in serum creatinine levels after coronary angiography: an observational study.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: The Acute Kidney Injury Network classification is based on small increases in serum creatinine (sCr) for stage 1. This study investigated whether changes in the urinary concentration of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) could predict small increases in sCr in patients undergoing coronary angiography. METHODS: The uNGAL was measured before contrast infusion and 2 and 4 h afterwards. Patients were divided into 2 subgroups: G1 (n = 103), where sCr increased by <0.3 mg/dl, and G2 (n = 22), where sCr increased by ≥0.3 mg/dl 48 h after the angiography. To determine the sensitivity and specificity for the absolute and relative variations of uNGAL, a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed. RESULTS: In G2, the uNGAL concentration increased over baseline values (15.9 vs. 9.2 ng/dl; p < 0.05), and it was also 2-fold higher in G2 versus G1 (15.9 vs. 8.0 ng/dl; p < 0.001). The uNGAL remains an independent predictor of the small increases in sCr, and, for an increase of 50% over baseline levels, it showed 60% sensitivity and 81% specificity. CONCLUSION: Changes in uNGAL concentration 2 h after the infusion of contrast media showed marginal sensitivity to predict small increases in sCr.

Back to basics: pitting edema and the optimization of hypertension treatment in incident peritoneal dialysis patients (BRAZPD).

Systemic arterial hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease that is frequently observed in populations with declining renal function. Initiation of renal replacement therapy at least partially decreases signs of fluid overload; however, high blood pressure levels persist in the majority of patients after dialysis initiation. Hypervolemia due to water retention predisposes peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients to hypertension and can clinically manifest in several forms, including peripheral edema. The approaches to detect edema, which include methods such as bioimpedance, inferior vena cava diameter and biomarkers, are not always available to physicians worldwide. For clinical examinations, the presence of pitting located in the lower extremities and/or over the sacrum to diagnose the presence of peripheral edema in their patients are frequently utulized. We evaluated the impact of edema on the control of blood pressure of incident PD patients during the first year of dialysis treatment. Patients were recruited from 114 Brazilian dialysis centers that were participating in the BRAZPD study for a total of 1089 incident patients. Peripheral edema was diagnosed by the presence of pitting after finger pressure was applied to the edematous area. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with and without edema according to the monthly medical evaluation. Blood arterial pressure, body mass index, the number of antihypertensive drugs and comorbidities were analyzed. We observed an initial BP reduction in the first five months and a stabilization of blood pressure levels from five to twelve months. The edematous group exhibited higher blood pressure levels than the group without edema during the follow-up. The results strongly indicate that the presence of a simple and easily detectable clinical sign of peripheral edema is a very relevant tool that could be used to re-evaluate not only the patient's clinical hypertensive status but also the PD prescription and patient compliance.

Use of small doses of furosemide in chronic kidney disease patients with residual renal function undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to verify whether chronic renal patients on hemodialysis (HD) with residual diuresis who were using small doses of furosemide present different levels of urinary volume and sodium excretion compared to patients with residual diuresis who do not use this drug. METHODS: We studied 19 chronic renal patients on HD who presented any level of residual diuresis. Urine was collected during the 24-h interdialytic period, and physical examinations and blood sampling took place immediately before the start of HD. Patients were divided into two groups: the diuretic group (DG, n = 10), in which patients had been using 40 mg of furosemide for at least 3 months, and the non-diuretic group (NDG, n = 9), in which patients used no diuretics. RESULTS: Although both groups presented the same average glomerular filtration rate (p > 0.05) and time in dialysis (p > 0.05) the DG presented an average of twice the urinary volume in 24 h (1142 ± 184 vs. 453 ± 135 ml/24 h, respectively; p = 0.008) and double the total excreted sodium mass compared to patients in the NDG (112 ± 22.4 vs. 45.2 ± 16.0 mEq/24 h, respectively; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The results of this study have shown that chronic use of small doses of furosemide in chronic renal patients with residual diuresis could increase urinary volume and sodium excretion compared to patients who did not use this drug.

Systemic hemodynamic changes in elderly hypertensive patients after ingesting foods with lipid, protein, and carbohydrate contents.

Aging is associated with changes in cardiovascular structure and function, which predisposes elderly people to reduced blood pressure levels after meals. The authors studied cardiac systolic function in elderly hypertensive patients after eating meals with different contents of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. Ten elderly male hypertensive patients were studied (mean age, 69 years; range 60-80 years). No patients had a previous history of orthostatic or postprandial hypotension. Patients ate 1 of 3 pre-prepared meals: lipid meal (LM), protein meal (PM), or carbohydrate meal (CM), on different days. Mean arterial pressure, total peripheral resistance index (TPRi), cardiac index (CI), and stroke index were recorded at the end of the fasting period and then at 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after food ingestion. After ingestion of a CM, the CI increased from 2.30 +/- 0.21 L/ min /m(2) to 2.61 +/- 0.24 L/ min /m(2) and the TPRi decreased from 3212 +/- 226 dynes / sec(2) to 2793 +/- 255 dynes / sec(2) at 45 minutes (P<.05). After the LM, the CI increased from 2.15 +/- 0.15 to 2.84 +/- 0.27 L/ min /m(2) and the TPRi decreased from 3630 +/- 274 L/ min /m(2) to 2666 +/- 282 dynes / sec(2) at 45 minutes (P<.05). After the PM, no systemic hemodynamic changes were observed. When all 3 meals were compared, the highest values of CI and the lowest values of TPRi were observed for the LM and CM. The authors' results show that fat- and carbohydrate-rich foods cause changes in the systemic hemodynamic of the elderly hypertensive patients.

Captopril na hipertensão arterial leve e moderada resistente a diureticoterapia: estudo multicêntrico / Captopril for the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension diuretic resistant multicenter study

Objetivo - Avaliar o efeito antihipertensivo do captopril para o tratamento de hipertensäo arterial leve e moderada resistente a diurético-terapia. Métodos - Hipertensos leves e moderados, sem, ou que tiveram a medicaçäo antihipertensiva suspensa por sete dias, foram tratados com 50 mg de hidroclorotiazida por duas semanas. Os pacientes que obtiveram normalizaçäo pressórica (pressäo arterial diastólica * 90 mmHg) foram excluídos, e nos demais, a dose do diurético foi aumentada para 100 mg; por mais três semanas. Nos hipertensos em que este tratamento näo teve sucesso para normalizar a pressäo arterial (n = 120), captopril, na dose de 25 a 50 mg/dia, em duas tomadas diárias, foi introduzido durante nove semanas. Após este período, a um subgrupo (n = 74) de pacientes a dose necessária de captopril foi administrada com o diurético em uma única tomada, por mais três semanas adicionais. A avaliaçäo clínica foi realizada previamente ao diurético, a cada duas semanas após sua introduçäo e a cada três, durante o captopril Os exames laboratoriais foram analisados antes do diurético, antes da introduçäo do captopril e ao final de 12 semanas do tratamento combinado. Resultados - A pressäo arterial supina no período placebo que foi de 168 ñ 2 / 109 ñ 1 mmHg apresentou um decréscimo significante com o tratamento diurético para 151 ñ 1 / 101 ñ 1 mmHg e uma queda adicional para 137 ñ 1 / 90 ñ 1 mmHg com a associaçäo do captopril na dose média de 44 ñ 1 mg. Na 12ª semana de tratamento quando o paciente estava medicado com dose única diária há 3 semanas a pressäo arterial foi de 137 ñ 2 / 90 ñ 1 mmHg. Obteve-se normalizaçäo pressórica em 58% dos pacientes com o captopril em duas tomadas e em 63% com dose única. Obteve-se normalizaçäo pressórica em 63% dos pacientes näo brancos e em 56% dos pacientes com idade superior a 45 anos. Houve alteraçäo significante dos níveis plasmáticos de potássio com o diurético que näo reverteu com a associaçäo de captopril. Conclusäo - O captopril em baixa dose administrado uma ou duas vezes ao dia causou queda pressórica adicional em pacientes portadores de hipertensäo arterial e moderada resistente a diureticoterapia

Purpose - To evaluate the antihypertensive effect of captopril in mild and moderate hypertensive patients uncontrolled with diuretics. Methods - Low dose of captoprzl (25 to 50 mg) bid were associated during 9 weeks in 120 patients previously treated with 100 mg of hydrochlorothiazid e. A subgroup of patients (74) were followed additionally for 3 weeks with the same dose of the drugs administered as a single dose. The patients were clinically evaluated after two weeks placebo, and each three weeks of active drugs. Blood pressure normalization were considered when diastolic arterial pressure was < 90 mmHg. Laboratory tests were measured before diuretic, before captopril and at the end of combined twelve weeks treatment. Results - After 15 days washout, the baseline supine arterial pressure, 168 + 2/109 + 1 mmHg decrease significantly-with diuretic to 151 + 1 / 101 + 1 mmHg and the drop wasfurther increased with captopril b.i.d., with a mean dose of 44 + 1 mg, to 137+ 1/90 + 1 mmHg. Blood pressure normalization was obtained in 58% patients with captopril b.i.d. and in 63% as single dose. Blood pressure normalization was achieved in 63% of non-white patients and in 56% patients over 45 years old. Plasmatic potassium decreased significantly with diuretic and did not recovered when captopril was associated. Conclusion - Our results indicate that the addition of low dose of captopril twice or once a day may result in a marked additional blood pressure reduction in cases of insuficient control by the diuretic alone