Urinary albumin excretion at follow-up predicts cardiovascular outcomes in subjects with resistant hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Renal function and albuminuria predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general population. However, their prognostic value in patients with resistant hypertension (RH) is somewhat unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of renal function and albuminuria to predict CVD in RH patients. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-three RH (blood pressure [BP] ≥140/90mmHg despite treatment with ≥3 drugs) patients were evaluated. Median follow-up was 73 months. Primary endpoint was a composite of non-fatal cardiovascular events or cardiovascular death. Serum creatinine (SCr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were determined. Microalbuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30mg/g. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (16.5%) reached the primary endpoint. Long-term elevated UACR (66 vs. 17mg/g, P=0.045), but not at baseline, was associated with the primary endpoint, after adjusting for age, prior CVD, and both eGFR and office systolic-BP at baseline and during follow-up. Although baseline SCr and eGFR were associated with CVD, significance was lost after baseline risk adjustment. Baseline microalbuminuria prevalence was 45% and 41% in patients with and without CVD (P=0.813), while percentages of patients with microalbuminuria at follow-up were 67% and 28%, respectively (P=0.002). More patients with de novo CVD, compared with those without CVD, developed microalbuminuria at follow-up (28% vs. 6%) or had persistent microalbuminuria (39% vs. 21%), while fewer patients with CVD had microalbuminuria regression (11% vs. 19%) or remained normoalbuminurics (22% vs. 53%; overall P=0.005). CONCLUSION: In RH patients, the inability to microalbuminuria regression, either due to persistence or new appearance, independently predicts CVD.

Increased pulse pressure is associated with left atrial enlargement in resistant hypertensive patients.

Resistant hypertension (RH) is frequently associated with a high prevalence of target organ damage, which impairs the prognosis of these patients. Considering cardiac alterations in RH, most attention has been devoted to left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), but data concerning left atrial enlargement (LAE) is less known. This cross-sectional study assessed the factors associated with LAE, with special focus on blood pressure (BP) estimates obtained by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), in 250 patients with RH, aged 64 ± 11 years. LAE and LVH were observed in 10.0% (95% CI 6.3-13.7) and 57.1% (95% CI 50.8-63.5) of patients, respectively. Compared with patients with normal atrium size, those exhibiting LAE were older, more frequently women, had elevated pulse pressure (PP) measured both at the office and by ABPM, and showed higher prevalence of LVH (83% vs 54%; p = 0.016). In a logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, left ventricular mass index and BP pressure estimates, night-time PP was independently associated with LAE (OR for 5 mmHg = 1.28, 95% CI 1.24-1.32; p = 0.001). In conclusion, besides classical determinants of LAE, such as age and LVH, an elevated night-time PP was independently associated with LAE in patients with RH.

Abnormalities of vascular function in resistant hypertension.

We aimed to evaluate markers of vascular dysfunction in patients with resistant hypertension (RH). A group of 144 patients (61 years, 42% women) with essential RH were divided in two groups based on ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). True RH (72%) was considered when 24-h blood pressure (BP) was ≥ 130 and/or 80 mmHg. Otherwise, patients were classified as white coat RH (28%). Hyperemia-induced forearm vasodilation (HIFV), serum inflammatory biomarkers (hs-CRP, s-ICAM-1, s-VCAM-1, e-selectin, p-selectin and MCP-1) and large (C1) and small arterial (C2) compliance (HDI/Pulse Wave CR 2000) were determined in all individuals. In comparison with patients with white coat RH, and after adjustment for age, office systolic BP and diabetes status, those with true RH had a more impaired HIFV (201 ± 159 vs 436 ± 157%; p < 0.001), increased e-selectin (53.1 ± 29.8 vs 40.7 ± 23.5 ng/ml; p = 0.035), and MCP-1 (445 ± 120 vs 386 ± 126 ng/ml; p = 0.027). No significant differences were observed in arterial compliance. Maximal HIFV inversely correlated with urinary albumin excretion (Rho: - 0.278; p = 0.004) and with some inflammatory biomarkers (MCP-1: - 0.441; p < 0.001, e-selectin: - 0.468; p < 0.001 and p-selectin: - 0.329; p = 0.001). We conclude that true RH, diagnosed by ABPM, is associated with a more severe degree of vascular dysfunction, as measured by HIFV and serum biomarkers, whereas other types of vascular alterations, such as compliance, are not directly linked with the level of BP.

Prevalencia de lesión de órganos diana y alteraciones metabólicas en la hipertensión arterial refractaria / Prevalence of target organ damage and metabolic abnormalities in resistant hypertension

Background and objective:Patients with resistant hypertension (RH) are relatively frequently visited in specialized units of hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of target organ damage, central obesity and metabolic syndrome in a cohort of patients with RH consecutively included in the Register of Resistant Hypertension of the Spanish Society of Hypertension (SHE-LELHA).Patients and methods: Cross-sectional, multicenter epidemiologic study in usual clinical practice conditions. Patients with clinical diagnosis of resistant hypertension, that is, office systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 140mmHg and/or ≥ 90mmHg, respectively, despite a prescribed therapeutic schedule with an appropriate combination of three or more full-dose antihypertensive drugs, including a diuretic, were consecutively recruited from specialized hypertension units spread through Spain. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics as well as cardiovascular risk factors and associated conditions were recorded, and all the subjects underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Left ventricular hypertrophy was considered as a left ventricular mass index ≥ 125g/m2 in males and ≥ 110g/m2 in females. Left atrial enlargement was defined as an indexed left atrium diameter ≥ 26mm/m2. Microalbuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio ≥ 22mg/g in males and ≥ 31mg/g in females.Results: 513 patients were included, aged 64±11 years old, 47% women. Central obesity was present in 65.7% (CI 95% 61.6-69.9), 38.6% (CI 95% 34.4-42.8) had diabetes and 63.7% (CI 95% 59.4-67.9) had metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial enlargement, determined by echocardiography was 57.1% (CI 95% 50.8-63.5) and 10.0% (CI 95% 6.3-13.7) respectively. Microalbuminuria was found in 46.6% (CI 95% 41.4-51.8) of the subjects (AU)

Fundamento y objetivo: La hipertensión arterial refractaria o resistente (HTR) es frecuente en las unidades especializadas de hipertensión arterial (HTA). El objetivo de este trabajo fue valorar la prevalencia de afectación de órganos diana y alteraciones metabólicas asociadas en una serie de pacientes con HTR que se incluyeron de forma consecutiva en el registro de HTR de la Sociedad Española de Hipertensión/Liga Española para la Lucha contra la Hipertensión arterial (SEH-LELHA).Pacientes y método: Estudio epidemiológico, transversal, multicéntrico, en condiciones de práctica clínica habitual. La HTR fue definida como la persistencia de cifras de presión arterial (PA) sistólica ≥ 140mmHg o PA diastólica ≥ 90mmHg en pacientes tratados con al menos 3 fármacos, a dosis plenas, uno de ellos diurético. Se recogieron los datos demográficos y antropométricos, la presencia de otros factores de riesgo y condiciones clínicas asociadas. A todos los sujetos se les practicó una monitorización ambulatoria de la presión arterial durante 24 horas (MAPA). La afectación de órganos diana se determinó mediante la realización de ecocardiograma, electrocardiograma basal y excreción urinaria de albúmina.Resultados: Se incluyeron 513 sujetos con una edad media (DE) de 64 (11) años; un 47% eran mujeres. Un 65,7% (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC 95%] 61,6-69,9) tenían obesidad central, un 38,6% (IC 95% 34,4-42,8) presentaban diabetes mellitus y un 63,8% (IC 95% 59,4-67,9) síndrome metabólico. La prevalencia de hipertrofia ventricular izquierda medida ecocardiográficamente fue del 57,1% (IC 95% 50,8-63,5) y la de dilatación de aurícula izquierda del 10,0% (IC 95% 6,3-13,7). Se observó microalbuminuria en un 46,6% de los sujetos (IC 95% 41,4-51,8) (AU)

[Prevalence of target organ damage and metabolic abnormalities in resistant hypertension]. / Prevalencia de lesión de órganos diana y alteraciones metabólicas en la hipertensión arterial refractaria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with resistant hypertension (RH) are relatively frequently visited in specialized units of hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of target organ damage, central obesity and metabolic syndrome in a cohort of patients with RH consecutively included in the Register of Resistant Hypertension of the Spanish Society of Hypertension (SHE-LELHA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, multicenter epidemiologic study in usual clinical practice conditions. Patients with clinical diagnosis of resistant hypertension, that is, office systolic and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or ≥ 90 mm Hg, respectively, despite a prescribed therapeutic schedule with an appropriate combination of three or more full-dose antihypertensive drugs, including a diuretic, were consecutively recruited from specialized hypertension units spread through Spain. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics as well as cardiovascular risk factors and associated conditions were recorded, and all the subjects underwent 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Left ventricular hypertrophy was considered as a left ventricular mass index ≥ 125 g/m(2) in males and ≥ 110 g/m(2) in females. Left atrial enlargement was defined as an indexed left atrium diameter ≥ 26 mm/m(2). Microalbuminuria was defined as a urinary albumin/creatinine ratio ≥ 22 mg/g in males and ≥ 31 mg/g in females. RESULTS: 513 patients were included, aged 64±11 years old, 47% women. Central obesity was present in 65.7% (CI 95% 61.6-69.9), 38.6% (CI 95% 34.4-42.8) had diabetes and 63.7% (CI 95% 59.4-67.9) had metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial enlargement, determined by echocardiography was 57.1% (CI 95% 50.8-63.5) and 10.0% (CI 95% 6.3-13.7) respectively. Microalbuminuria was found in 46.6% (CI 95% 41.4-51.8) of the subjects. Patients with metabolic syndrome were significantly older (65.4±11 and 62.5±12 years; P=.0052), presented a higher prevalence of diabetes (52.0% vs. 16.6; P<.0001) and were treated more frequently with ≥ 4 antihypertensive drugs (65.1 vs. 50.0%, P=.011). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of central obesity, metabolic syndrome and target organ damage is very high in resistant hypertensive subjects.

Prevalencia de lesión de órganos diana y factores asociados a la presencia de episodios cardiovasculares en sujetos con hipertensión arterial refractaria / Prevalence of target organ damage and factors associated with cardiovascular events in subjects with refractory hypertension

Objetivos: Evaluar la prevalencia de lesión de órganos diana (LOD) y factores asociados a episodios cardiovasculares en sujetos con hipertensión arterial (HTA) refractaria. Pacientes y método: Estudio transversal de 146 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de HTA refractaria. Se consideró LOD la presencia de microalbuminuria, insuficiencia renal (IR) y la hipertrofia ventricular izquierda (HVI) o dilatación de aurícula izquierda (DAI). Se consideró enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) el antecedente de ictus, enfermedad coronaria, insuficiencia cardíaca o enfermedad arterial periférica. La monitorización de la presión arterial (PA) ambulatoria (MAPA) se determinó mediante un monitor oscilométrico Spacelabs 90207.Resultados: La prevalencia de HVI fue del 62,3% y se observó DAI en el 27,7%. La prevalencia de IR fue del 28,1% y la de microalbuminuria fue del 41,4%. Se observó una asociación entre la presencia de microalbuminuria y de HVI. Al ajustar por edad, la excreción urinaria de albúmina (EUA) se correlacionó con la PA clínica y la MAPA, mientras que el índice de masa ventricular izquierda se correlacionó con la MAPA pero no con la PA clínica. La prevalencia de ECV previa fue del 22% y en el análisis de regresión múltiple, ajustado por edad, PA clínica, PA de la MAPA y otros factores de riesgo clásicos, la EUA se asoció de forma independiente con el antecedente de ECV. Conclusiones: En sujetos con HTA refractaria, la prevalencia de LOD fue elevada, se observó una asociación entre la lesión cardíaca y la lesión renal. La EUA se asoció de forma independiente con el antecedente de episodios cardiovasculares (AU)

Objectives: To asses the prevalence of target organ damage (TOD) and factors associated with cardiovascular events in subjects with refractory hypertension. Patients and methods: Cross-sectional study of 146 patients with clinical diagnosis of refractory hypertension. TOD was defined as the presence of microalbuminuria (MA), renal failure (RF), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or left atrial enlargement (LAE). Cardiovascular events were defined as the antecedent of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure or peripheral arterial disease. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was (ABPM) performed with a validated Spacelabs 90207. Results: The prevalence of LVH was 62.3%, and LAE was observed in 27.7% of the subjects. The prevalence of RF was 28.1% and MA was found in 41,4%. An association between MA and LVH was observed. After adjusting by age, the urinary albumin excretion (UAE) correlated with clinical blood pressure (BP) and BP during 24-h ABPM, whereas LVMI correlated with ambulatory BP but not with clinical BP. The prevalence of previous cardiovascular events was 22% and in the multivariate regression analysis, UAE was the only independent factor associated with the antecedent of cardiovascular events. Conclusion: In subjects with refractory hypertension, the prevalence of TOD was high, and an association between heart and renal organ damage was observed. UAE was independently associated with the antecedent of cardiovascular disease (AU)

[Prevalence of target organ damage and factors associated with cardiovascular events in subjects with refractory hypertension]. / Prevalencia de lesión de órganos diana y factores asociados a la presencia de episodios cardiovasculares en sujetos con hipertensión arterial refractaria.

OBJECTIVES: To asses the prevalence of target organ damage (TOD) and factors associated with cardiovascular events in subjects with refractory hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 146 patients with clinical diagnosis of refractory hypertension. TOD was defined as the presence of microalbuminuria (MA), renal failure (RF), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) or left atrial enlargement (LAE). Cardiovascular events were defined as the antecedent of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure or peripheral arterial disease. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was (ABPM) performed with a validated Spacelabs 90207. RESULTS: The prevalence of LVH was 62.3%, and LAE was observed in 27.7% of the subjects. The prevalence of RF was 28.1% and MA was found in 41,4%. An association between MA and LVH was observed. After adjusting by age, the urinary albumin excretion (UAE) correlated with clinical blood pressure (BP) and BP during 24-h ABPM, whereas LVMI correlated with ambulatory BP but not with clinical BP. The prevalence of previous cardiovascular events was 22% and in the multivariate regression analysis, UAE was the only independent factor associated with the antecedent of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: In subjects with refractory hypertension, the prevalence of TOD was high, and an association between heart and renal organ damage was observed. UAE was independently associated with the antecedent of cardiovascular disease.

Papel actual de los antagonistas de los receptores de la angiotensina II y de sus combinaciones en el tratamiento de la hipertensión arterial / Current roleo fangiotens in II receptor antagonist sand their combination in the treatment of hypertension

No disponible

No disponible

Blood pressure in the initial phase of acute ischaemic stroke: evolution and its role as an independent prognosis factor at discharge and after 3 months of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: A prospective observational study was aimed at assessing the role of blood pressure (BP) during the first 24 h from stroke onset on the outcome of acute ischaemic stroke. METHODS: Subjects admitted within the first 3 h from stroke onset were included. Stroke severity was evaluated with the Canadian Stroke Scale (CSS). Functional recovery was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score < or =2. RESULTS: One hundred subjects were included. In a logistic regression model, the independent predictors of poor functional recovery at discharge were: age (OR = 1.12; 95% CI 1.04-1.21; p = 0.0033), non-lacunar stroke subtype (OR = 4.31; 95% CI 1.07-17.31; p = 0.0395), diabetes mellitus (OR = 8.38; 95% CI 1.67-41.95; p = 0.0097), a CSS score at admission < or =8 (OR = 28.64; 95% CI 5.59-146.68; p<0.0001), an average systolic BP during the first 6 h > or =180 mmHg (OR = 13.34; 95% CI 1.34-133.10; p = 0.0272) and a lower diastolic BP average from 6 to 24 h (OR for 5 mmHg increase: 0.57; CI 95% 0.36-0.88; p = 0.0115). Similar results were observed after 3 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: In ischaemic stroke patients, systolic BP over 180 mmHg in the first 6 h and a decrease of diastolic BP during the 6-24 h from stroke onset were independent predictors of a poor functional recovery.

Reproducibility of the circadian blood pressure pattern in 24-h versus 48-h recordings: the Spanish Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the reproducibility of the circadian blood pressure (BP) pattern over a 48-h period by comparing the first 24 h of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) with the following 24 h and with the mean over 48 h. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing 48-h ABPM within the National ABPM Registry of the Spanish Society of Hypertension, based on 800 Spacelabs 90207 monitors distributed throughout Spain in hypertension units and primary healthcare centres, were included. Between June 2004 and September 2005, 611 valid 48-h ABPM recordings were obtained, 235 corresponded to patients without antihypertensive treatment. RESULTS: The percentages of patients classified as non-dipper for the first 24 h, the second 24 h and the 48-h average were 47, 50 and 48%, respectively. When the first and second 24-h periods were compared, 147 (24%) subjects switched from dipper (D) to non-dipper (ND) or vice-versa. When the first 24-h period was compared to the 48-h average, 66 (11%) subjects switched patterns. The proportions were similar separately for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and between treated and untreated patients. In subjects with poor ABPM reproducibility, night-to-day ratios were of an intermediate value between those of subjects always classified as D or ND. CONCLUSION: Categorization of D or ND based on a single 24-h ABPM is moderately reproducible, since one out of every five patients change profile over the following 24 h. Nevertheless, the use of 48-h ABPM in clinical practice should be assessed according to cost-effectiveness criteria. Night-to-day ratios may be helpful in identifying patients with a stable profile.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in hypertensive patients with high cardiovascular risk: a cross-sectional analysis of a 20,000-patient database in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) parameters in a broad sample of high-risk hypertensive patients. METHODS: The Spanish Society of Hypertension is developing a nationwide project in which more than 900 physicians send ABPM registries and corresponding clinical records to a central database via www.cardiorisc.com. Between June 2004 and July 2005 a 20 000-patient database was obtained; 17 219 were valid for analysis. RESULTS: We identified 6534 patients with high cardiovascular risk according to the 2003 European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology guidelines stratification score. Office blood pressure (BP) was 158.8/89.9 mmHg and 24-h BP was 135.8/77.0 mmHg. Patients with grade 3 BP in the office showed ambulatory systolic BP values less than 160 mmHg in more than 80%. A non-dipping pattern was observed in 3836 cases (58.7%), whereas this abnormality was present in 47.9% of patients with low-to-moderate risk [odds ratio (OR) 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45-1.64]. The prevalence of non-dippers was higher as ambulatory BP increased ( approximately 70% when 24-h systolic BP > 155 mmHg) and was similar in both groups. At the lowest levels of BP (24-h systolic BP < 135 mmHg) a non-dipping pattern was more prevalent in high-risk cases (56.6 versus 45.7%; OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.40-1.64). CONCLUSION: There was a remarkable discrepancy between office and ambulatory BP in high-risk hypertensive patients. The prevalence of a non-dipper BP pattern was almost 60%. In the lowest levels of ambulatory BP, high-risk patients showed a higher prevalence of non-dipping BP than lower-risk cases. These observations support the recommendation of a wider use of ABPM in high-risk hypertensive patients.

[Clustering of cardiovascular risk factors and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in subjects with resistant hypertension]. / Agregación de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y de prevalencia de síndrome metabólico en personas con hipertensión arterial resistente.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in this sample of subjects with resistant hypertension (RH). PATIENTS AND METHOD: One hundred and fifteen subjects with RH were sequentially included. RH was defined as a level of office blood pressure (BP)>or=140/90 mmHg in subjects treated with at least 3 antihypertensive drugs (one of them a diuretic) during at least 2 months and with good compliance. The usual protocol of the Hypertension Unit and ambulatory BP monitoring during 24 h was applied on all the subjects, and an echocardiogram with Doppler was performed on 68 of them. Subjects with a daytime BP>or=135/85 mmHg were defined as pseudoresistant hypertensive. RESULTS: The mean age (standard deviation) was 61 (10) years, and 50 patients (44%) were males. The mean office BP was 166/95 (16/9) mmHg. The daytime BP was 141/83 (15/12) mmHg. Out of the patients, 88 (76.5%) had a family history of cardiovascular disease; 64 (56%) of obesity; 43 (37%) of hypercholesterolemia; 34 (30%) of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; 32 (28%) of diabetes mellitus; and 63 (55%) were sedentary. The prevalence of MS was 54%; target organ damage was found in 70 cases (61%), and 44 (38%) had other associated clinical conditions. Out of the subjects with echocardiography, 49 (72%) presented left ventricular hypertrophy. Pseudoresistant hypertension was found in 31 (27%). There were no significant differences in clinical variables between subjects with RH or psudoresistant hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RH had high cardiovascular risk, independent of a good control of ambulatory BP, because of the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and MS. An optimal antihypertensive treatment including specific programs for the control of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are necessary in the management of these patients.

Agregación de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y de prevalencia de síndrome metabólico en personas con hipertensión arterial resistente / Clustering of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome prevalence in subjects with resistant hypertension

Fundamento y objetivo: La hipertensión arterial (HTA) resistente requiere un abordaje global del riesgo cardiovascular. El objetivo del presente estudio ha sido analizar la agregación de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y la prevalencia de síndrome metabólico (SM) en una serie de sujetos con HTA resistente. Pacientes y método: Se incluyó de forma secuencial a 115 personas con HTA resistente, definida como un valor de presión arterial (PA) en consulta de 140/90 mmHg o mayor en tratamiento con 3 fármacos, uno de ellos diurético, durante un mínimo de 2 meses en buenos cumplidores. Se aplicó el protocolo de la Unidad de HTA: seguimiento de la PA de 24 h con un monitor Spacelabs 90202 o 90207, y ecocardiografía Doppler en modo M de buena calidad en 68 sujetos. Se consideró HTA seudorresistente cuando los valores de PA media diurna eran menores de 135/85 mmHg. Resultados: La edad media (desviación estándar) fue de 61 (10) años y 50 pacientes (44%) eran varones. El valor medio de la PA en consulta fue de 166/95 (16/9) mmHg, y el de la PA diurna de 141/83 (15/12) mmHg. Tenían antecedentes familiares de enfermedad cardiovascular 88 sujetos (76,5%), de obesidad 64 (56%), de hipercolesterolemia 43 (37%), de concentración baja de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad 34 (30%), de sedentarismo 63 (55%) y de diabetes mellitus 32 (28%). La prevalencia de SM fue del 54%. Presentaban hipertrofia ventricular izquierda 49 pacientes (72%), lesiones de órgano diana 70 (61%) y un trastorno clínico asociado 44 (38%). En 31 casos (27%) se observó HTA seudorresistente; no se encontraron diferencias significativas en las distintas variables con los resistentes verdaderos. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con HTA resistente en la consulta, independientemente de que tengan la PA ambulatoria controlada, presentan un riesgo muy elevado de experimentar un episodio cardiovascular, dada la importante agregación de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y la alta prevalencia de SM. El manejo de estos hipertensos requiere la optimización del tratamiento antihipertensivo, así como medidas o programas específicos del tratamiento de la obesidad y del sedentarismo

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in this sample of subjects with resistant hypertension (RH). Patients and method: One hundred and fifteen subjects with RH were sequentially included. RH was defined as a level of office blood pressure (BP) é 140/90 mmHg in subjects treated with at least 3 antihypertensive drugs (one of them a diuretic) during at least 2 months and with good compliance. The usual protocol of the Hypertension Unit and ambulatory BP monitoring during 24 h was applied on all the subjects, and an echocardiogram with Doppler was performed on 68 of them. Subjects with a daytime BP < 135/85 mmHg were defined as pseudoresistant hypertensive. Results: The mean age (standard deviation) was 61 (10) years, and 50 patients (44%) were males. The mean office BP was 166/95 (16/9) mmHg. The daytime BP was 141/83 (15/12) mmHg. Out of the patients, 88 (76.5%) had a family history of cardiovascular disease; 64 (56%) of obesity; 43 (37%) of hypercholesterolemia; 34 (30%) of low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; 32 (28%) of diabetes mellitus; and 63 (55%) were sedentary. The prevalence of MS was 54%; target organ damage was found in 70 cases (61%), and 44 (38%) had other associated clinical conditions. Out of the subjects with echocardiography, 49 (72%) presented left ventricular hypertrophy. Pseudoresistant hypertension was found in 31 (27%). There were no significant differences in clinical variables between subjects with RH or psudoresistant hypertension. Conclusions: Patients with RH had high cardiovascular risk, independent of a good control of ambulatory BP, because of the high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and MS. An optimal antihypertensive treatment including specific programs for the control of obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are necessary in the management of these patients

Cardiac damage in hypertensive patients with inverse white coat hypertension. Hospitalet study.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the relationship between ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and cardiac damage in essential hypertensive patients with inverse white coat hypertension (IWCH). OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of IWCH in untreated grade 1-2 hypertension and to assess possible differences in cardiac damage among patients with IWCH, white coat hypertension (WCH) and the rest of patients with grade 1-2 hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and eleven patients with grade 1-2 hypertension were sequentially included. A good quality 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring was obtained in 204 patients (age: 41 +/- 12 years, 56% males). IWCH was defined as a daytime systolic and/or diastolic BP higher than diagnostic office systolic and/or diastolic BP, respectively. WCH was defined as a daytime BP < 135/85 mmHg. A good quality echocardiogram was obtained in 174 patients. We considered left ventricular hypertrophy a left ventricular mass index (LVMI) > or = 125 g/m2. RESULTS: We found IWCH in 29 subjects (14%), and WCH in 68 (33%). Office BP in patients with IWCH was in an intermediate position between WCH and the rest of grade 1-2 hypertension patients. The IWCH patients showed 24-h, daytime and night-time BP higher than the other groups. Left ventricular mass was significantly greater in patients with IWCH than in the other grade 1-2 hypertension patients after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, smoking and office BP (regression coefficient 28.14, 95%CI: 7.36-48.91). CONCLUSION: IWCH is independently associated with higher values of left ventricular mass in patients with grade 1-2 hypertension.

Estrés, enfermedad cardiovascular e hipertensión arterial / Stress, cardiovascular disease and hypertension

No disponible