Correlation between masked hypertension and endothelial dysfunction measured by flow-mediated dilation: a protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: A surrogate marker to evaluate artery endothelial response when stimulated by reactive hyperaemia, known as brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD), has prognostic value in predicting hypertensive organ damage and cardiovascular disease events. However, the degree of correlation between brachial FMD and masked hypertension (MH) outcomes is still unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to pool data regarding FMD with respect to MH. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Cochrane Library will be searched for the following keywords: endothelial dysfunction, flow-mediated dilation, and masked hypertension, masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) and prehypertension. The following are the eligibility criteria: population-adults (18 years old or older) without hypertension at baseline, with suspected endothelial dysfunction, or from MH/MUCH populations (office blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg and home blood pressure ≥135 mm Hg and/or 85 mm Hg) and from controlled clinical trials, cohort studies, or randomised and controlled trials; exposures-any metrics for FMD; comparisons-participants without MH or MUCH; and outcome-change in FMD between the case group and the control group. Two authors will be engaged in screening and collecting data independently; disagreements will be resolved through discussion. Data extraction will include primary data designated as HR, OR, correlations and regression coefficients. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.2.0 will be used to conduct related subgroup and sensitivity analyses and publication bias. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study does not require ethics approval. It will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020208362.

Correlation among high salt intake, blood pressure variability, and target organ damage in patients with essential hypertension: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT compliant).

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is a multifactorial disease, which is affected by genetic and environmental factors, and can cause diseases such as cerebrovascular disease, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and chronic renal failure. High salt intake is a risk factor for hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Blood pressure variability (BPV) is a reliable independent predictor of cardiovascular events and death. At present, there are few studies about the correlation among high salt intake, BPV, and target organ damage (TOD) in patients with hypertension. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare 24-hour urine sodium excretion, BPV, carotid intima-media thickness, left ventricular mass index, and serum creatinine or endogenous creatinine clearance rate. To clarify the relationship between high salt load and BPV and TOD in patients with hypertension.This study is a cross-sectional study. It will recruit 600 patients with essential hypertension in the outpatient and inpatient department of cardiovascular medicine of Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital. Researchers will obtain blood and urine samples with the patient's informed consent. In addition, we will measure patient's blood pressure and target organ-related information. TRIAL REGISTRY: The study protocol was approved by the Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital. Written informed consent will be obtained from all the participants. The trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical trial registry, ChiCTR2000029243. This trial will provide for the correlation among high salt intake, BPV, and TOD in patients with essential hypertension.