Assessment and management of exaggerated blood pressure response to standing and orthostatic hypertension: consensus statement by the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring and Cardiovascular Variability.

Recent evidence suggests that an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to standing (ERTS) is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, both in young and old individuals. In addition, ERTS has been shown to be an independent predictor of masked hypertension. In the vast majority of studies reporting on the prognostic value of orthostatic hypertension (OHT), the definition was based only on systolic office BP measurements. This consensus statement provides recommendations on the assessment and management of individuals with ERTS and/or OHT. ERTS is defined as an orthostatic increase in SBP at least 20 mmHg and OHT as an ERTS with standing SBP at least 140 mmHg. This statement recommends a standardized methodology to assess ERTS, by considering body and arm position, and the number and timing of BP measurements. ERTS/OHT should be confirmed in a second visit, to account for its limited reproducibility. The second assessment should evaluate BP changes from the supine to the standing posture. Ambulatory BP monitoring is recommended in most individuals with ERTS/OHT, especially if they have high-normal seated office BP. Implementation of lifestyle changes and close follow-up are recommended in individuals with ERTS/OHT and normotensive seated office BP. Whether antihypertensive treatment should be administered in the latter is unknown. Hypertensive patients with ERTS/OHT should be managed as any other hypertensive patient. Standardized standing BP measurement should be implemented in future epidemiological and interventional studies.

Artificial Intelligence-Derived Risk Prediction: A Novel Risk Calculator Using Office and Ambulatory Blood Pressure.

BACKGROUND: Quantification of total cardiovascular risk is essential for individualizing hypertension treatment. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel, machine-learning-derived model to predict cardiovascular mortality risk using office blood pressure (OBP) and ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). METHODS: The performance of the novel risk score was compared with existing risk scores, and the possibility of predicting ABP phenotypes utilizing clinical variables was assessed. Using data from 59 124 patients enrolled in the Spanish ABP Monitoring registry, machine-learning approaches (logistic regression, gradient-boosted decision trees, and deep neural networks) and stepwise forward feature selection were used. RESULTS: For the prediction of cardiovascular mortality, deep neural networks yielded the highest clinical performance. The novel mortality prediction models using OBP and ABP outperformed other risk scores. The area under the curve achieved by the novel approach, already when using OBP variables, was significantly higher when compared with the area under the curve of the Framingham risk score, Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation 2, and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease score. However, the prediction of cardiovascular mortality with ABP instead of OBP data significantly increased the area under the curve (0.870 versus 0.865; P=3.61×10-28), accuracy, and specificity, respectively. The prediction of ABP phenotypes (ie, white-coat, ambulatory, and masked hypertension) using clinical characteristics was limited. CONCLUSIONS: The receiver operating characteristic curves for cardiovascular mortality using ABP and OBP with deep neural network models outperformed all other risk metrics, indicating the potential for improving current risk scores by applying state-of-the-art machine learning approaches. The prediction of cardiovascular mortality using ABP data led to a significant increase in area under the curve and performance metrics.

Cardio-ankle vascular index for predicting cardiovascular morbimortality and determinants for its progression in the prospective advanced approach to arterial stiffness (TRIPLE-A-Stiffness) study.

BACKGROUND: The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) measure of arterial stiffness is associated with prevalent cardiovascular risk factors, while its predictive value for cardiovascular events remains to be established. The aim was to determine associations of CAVI with cardiovascular morbimortality (primary outcome) and all-cause mortality (secondary outcome), and to establish the determinants of CAVI progression. METHODS: TRIPLE-A-Stiffness, an international multicentre prospective longitudinal study, enrolled >2000 subjects ≥40 years old at 32 centres from 18 European countries. Of these, 1250 subjects (55% women) were followed for a median of 3.82 (2.81-4.69) years. FINDINGS: Unadjusted cumulative incidence rates of outcomes according to CAVI stratification were higher in highest stratum (CAVI > 9). Cox regression with adjustment for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors revealed that CAVI was associated with increased cardiovascular morbimortality (HR 1.25 per 1 increase; 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.03-1.51) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.37 per 1 increase; 95% CI: 1.10-1.70) risk in subjects ≥60 years. In ROC analyses, CAVI optimal threshold was 9.25 (c-index 0.598; 0.542-0.654) and 8.30 (c-index 0.565; 0.512-0.618) in subjects ≥ or <60 years, respectively, to predict increased CV morbimortality. Finally, age, mean arterial blood pressure, anti-diabetic and lipid-lowering treatment were independent predictors of yearly CAVI progression adjusted for baseline CAVI. INTERPRETATION: The present study identified additional value for CAVI to predict outcomes after adjustment for CV risk factors, in particular for subjects ≥60 years. CAVI progression may represent a modifiable risk factor by treatments. FUNDING: International Society of Vascular Health (ISVH) and Fukuda Denshi, Japan.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Current status and future perspectives. / Monitorización ambulatoria de la presión arterial. Situación actual y perspectivas futuras.

Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) is considered the best method for obtaining a reliable estimation of the true blood pressure. Average values obtained during the whole 24-hour period, or during daytime and nighttime periods are better correlated with the risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease compared to clinic or office blood pressure. Indeed, nighttime blood pressure, a measure only obtained through ABPM, is the most powerful risk predictor. ABPM is complementary to clinic blood pressure measurement and allows the definition of blood pressure phenotypes, such as "white-coat or masked hypertension, when clinic and ABPM measurements show discrepancy in normal values. Additional potentially relevant features include blood pressure variability, such as nocturnal blood pressure decline, morning surge or short-term variability, as determined by standard deviation or the coefficient of variation.

Prognostic Relevance of Short-Term Blood Pressure Variability. The Spanish ABPM Registry.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic relevance of short-term blood pressure (BP) variability in hypertension is not clearly established. We aimed to evaluate the association of short-term BP variability, with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a large cohort of patients with hypertension. METHODS: We selected 59 124 patients from the Spanish Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry from 2004 to 2014 (median follow-up: 9.7 years). Systolic and diastolic BP SD and coefficient of variation from daytime and nighttime, weighted SD, weighted coefficient of variation, average real variability (mean of differences between consecutive readings), and BP variability ratio (ratio between systolic and diastolic 24-hour SD) were calculated through baseline 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were assessed by Cox regression models adjusted for clinical confounders and BP. RESULTS: Patients who died during follow-up had higher values of BP variability compared with those remaining alive. In adjusted models systolic and diastolic daytime and weighted SD and coefficient of variation, average real variability, as well as systolic nighttime SD and BP variability ratio were all significantly associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Hazard ratios for 1-SD increase in the systolic components ranged from 1.05 to 1.12 for all-cause mortality and from 1.07 to 1.17 for cardiovascular mortality. A daytime SD≥13 mm Hg, a nighttime and a weighted SD≥12 mm Hg, and an average real variability ≥10 mm Hg, all systolic, were independently associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term blood pressure variability shows a relatively weak but significant association with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with hypertension.

A blunted nocturnal blood pressure decline is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that a blunted nocturnal blood pressure (BP) decline is associated with a poor prognosis. Nevertheless, it remains unclear if an abnormal dipping is deleterious per se or it merely reflects an elevated BP during sleep. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of nocturnal BP decline, with or without concomitant elevated nocturnal BP. METHODS: Vital status and cause of death were obtained from death certificates in 59 124 patients, enrolled in the Spanish ABPM Registry between 2004 and 2014 (median follow-up: 10 years). The association between night-to-day ratio (NDR) and dipping patterns (extreme dippers, dippers, reduced dippers, and risers) with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were evaluated by Cox-proportional models adjusted for clinical confounders and 24 h blood pressure. RESULTS: NDR was associated with all-cause mortality [hazard ratio for 1SD change: 1.15; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.17]. Reduced dippers (1.13; 1.06-1.20) and risers (1.41; 1.32-1.51) were associated with an increased risk of all-cause death, whereas extreme dippers (0.90; 0.79-1.02) were not. Elevated NDR (≥0.9) in the absence of elevated night SBP (<120 mmHg) was associated with an increased risk of death (1.13; 1.04-1.22), as well as elevated night SBP but normal NDR (1.38; 1.26-1.50), and the combination of both abnormalities (1.56; 1.46-1.66). Similar results were obtained for cardiovascular mortality. CONCLUSION: Abnormalities in the circadian pattern are associated with an increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. This is maintained even in the absence of nocturnal BP elevation.

Impact of timing of antihypertensive treatment on mortality: an observational study from the Spanish Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Whether bedtime versus morning administration of antihypertensive therapy is beneficial on outcomes is controversial. We evaluated the risk of total and cardiovascular mortality in a very large observational cohort of treated hypertensive patients, according to the timing of their usual treatment administration (morning versus evening). METHODS: Vital status and cause of death were obtained from death certificates of 28 406 treated hypertensive patients (mean age 62 years, 53% male individuals), enrolled in the Spanish Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) Registry between 2004 and 2014. Among the 28 406 patients, most (86%) received their medication exclusively in the morning; whilst 13% were treated exclusively in the evening or at bedtime. Follow-up was for a median of 9.7 years and 4345 deaths occurred, of which 1478 were cardiovascular deaths. RESULTS: Using Cox-models adjusted for clinical confounders and 24-h SBP, and compared with patients treated in the morning (reference group), all-cause mortality [hazard ratio 1.01; 95% CI 0.93-1.09) and cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio 1.04; 95% CI 0.91-1.19) was not significantly different in those receiving evening medication dosing. The results were consistent in all the subgroups of patients analysed. CONCLUSION: In this very large observational study, morning versus bedtime dosing of antihypertensive medication made no difference to the subsequent risk of all-cause or cardiovascular mortality. These findings are in accordance with results from a recent randomized controlled trial and do not support the hypothesis of a specific beneficial effect of night-time antihypertensive treatment dosing on risk of all-cause or cardiovascular death.

Blood Pressure Variability as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease: Which Antihypertensive Agents Are More Effective?

Blood pressure oscillations during different time scales, known as blood pressure variability (BPV), have become a focus of growing scientific interest. BPV can be measured at long-term (seasonal variability or visit-to-visit), at mid-term (differences in consecutive days or weeks) or at short-term (day-night differences or changes induced by other daily activities and conditions). An increased BPV, either at long, mid or short-term is associated with a poor cardiovascular prognosis independently of the amount of blood pressure elevation. There is scarce evidence on the effect of different antihypertensive treatments on BPV, but some observational and interventional studies suggest that calcium channel blockers in general, and particularly amlodipine, either in monotherapy or combined with renin-angiotensin system blockers, can reduce BPV more efficiently than other antihypertensive drugs or combinations. Nevertheless, there are several aspects of the relationship between BPV, antihypertensive treatment, and clinical outcomes that are still unknown, and more work should be performed before considering BPV as a therapeutical target in clinical practice.

Altered sleep and neurovascular dysfunction in alpha-synucleinopathies: the perfect storm for glymphatic failure.

Clinical and cognitive progression in alpha-synucleinopathies is highly heterogeneous. While some patients remain stable over long periods of time, other suffer early dementia or fast motor deterioration. Sleep disturbances and nocturnal blood pressure abnormalities have been identified as independent risk factors for clinical progression but a mechanistic explanation linking both aspects is lacking. We hypothesize that impaired glymphatic system might play a key role on clinical progression. Glymphatic system clears brain waste during specific sleep stages, being blood pressure the motive force that propels the interstitial fluid through brain tissue to remove protein waste. Thus, the combination of severe sleep alterations, such as REM sleep behavioral disorder, and lack of the physiological nocturnal decrease of blood pressure due to severe dysautonomia may constitute the perfect storm for glymphatic failure, causing increased abnormal protein aggregation and spreading. In Lewy body disorders (Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies) the increment of intraneuronal alpha-synuclein and extracellular amyloid-ß would lead to cognitive deterioration, while in multisystemic atrophy, increased pathology in oligodendroglia would relate to the faster and malignant motor progression. We present a research model that may help in developing studies aiming to elucidate the role of glymphatic function and associated factors mainly in alpha-synucleinopathies, but that could be relevant also for other protein accumulation-related neurodegenerative diseases. If the model is proven to be useful could open new lines for treatments targeting glymphatic function (for example through control of nocturnal blood pressure) with the objective to ameliorate cognitive and motor progression in alpha-synucleinopathies.

European Society of Hypertension recommendations for the validation of cuffless blood pressure measuring devices: European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring and Cardiovascular Variability.

BACKGROUND: There is intense effort to develop cuffless blood pressure (BP) measuring devices, and several are already on the market claiming that they provide accurate measurements. These devices are heterogeneous in measurement principle, intended use, functions, and calibration, and have special accuracy issues requiring different validation than classic cuff BP monitors. To date, there are no generally accepted protocols for their validation to ensure adequate accuracy for clinical use. OBJECTIVE: This statement by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) Working Group on BP Monitoring and Cardiovascular Variability recommends procedures for validating intermittent cuffless BP devices (providing measurements every >30 sec and usually 30-60 min, or upon user initiation), which are most common. VALIDATION PROCEDURES: Six validation tests are defined for evaluating different aspects of intermittent cuffless devices: static test (absolute BP accuracy); device position test (hydrostatic pressure effect robustness); treatment test (BP decrease accuracy); awake/asleep test (BP change accuracy); exercise test (BP increase accuracy); and recalibration test (cuff calibration stability over time). Not all these tests are required for a given device. The necessary tests depend on whether the device requires individual user calibration, measures automatically or manually, and takes measurements in more than one position. CONCLUSION: The validation of cuffless BP devices is complex and needs to be tailored according to their functions and calibration. These ESH recommendations present specific, clinically meaningful, and pragmatic validation procedures for different types of intermittent cuffless devices to ensure that only accurate devices will be used in the evaluation and management of hypertension.

Requirements for design and function of blood pressure measuring devices used for the management of hypertension: Consensus Statement by the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring and Cardiovascular Variability and STRIDE BP.

OBJECTIVE: To develop scientific consensus recommendations for the optimal design and functions of different types of blood pressure (BP) measuring devices used in clinical practice for the detection, management, and long-term follow-up of hypertension. METHODS: A scientific consensus meeting was performed by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) Working Group on BP Monitoring and Cardiovascular Variability and STRIDE BP (Science and Technology for Regional Innovation and Development in Europe) during the 2022 Scientific Meeting of the ESH in Athens, Greece. Manufacturers were also invited to provide their feedback on BP device design and development. Thirty-one international experts in clinical hypertension and BP monitoring contributed to the development of consensus recommendations on the optimal design of BP devices. STATEMENT: International consensus was reached on the requirements for the design and features of five types of BP monitors, including office (or clinic) BP monitors, ambulatory BP monitors, home BP monitors, home BP telemonitors, and kiosk BP monitors for public spaces. For each device type "essential" requirements (must have), and "optional" ones (may have) are presented, as well as additional comments on the optimal device design and features. CONCLUSIONS: These consensus recommendations aim at providing manufacturers of BP devices with the requirements that are considered mandatory, or optional, by clinical experts involved in the detection and management of hypertension. They are also directed to administrative healthcare personnel involved in the provision and purchase of BP devices so that they can recommend the most appropriate ones.

Relationship between clinic and ambulatory blood pressure and mortality: an observational cohort study in 59 124 patients.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory blood pressure provides a more comprehensive assessment than clinic blood pressure, and has been reported to better predict health outcomes than clinic or home pressure. We aimed to examine associations of clinic and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a large cohort of primary care patients referred for assessment of hypertension. METHODS: We did an observational cohort study using clinic and ambulatory blood pressure data obtained from March 1, 2004, to Dec 31, 2014, from the Spanish Ambulatory Blood Pressure Registry. This registry included patients from 223 primary care centres from the Spanish National Health System in all 17 regions of Spain. Mortality data (date and cause) were ascertained by a computerised search of the vital registry of the Spanish National Institute of Statistics. Complete data were available for age, sex, all blood pressure measures, and BMI. For each study participant, follow-up was from the date of their recruitment to the date of death or Dec 31, 2019, whichever occurred first. Cox models were used to estimate associations between usual clinic or ambulatory blood pressure and mortality, adjusted for confounders and additionally for alternative measures of blood pressure. For each measure of blood pressure, we created five groups (ie, fifths) defined by quintiles of that measure among those who subsequently died. FINDINGS: During a median follow-up of 9·7 years, 7174 (12·1%) of 59 124 patients died, including 2361 (4·0%) from cardiovascular causes. J-shaped associations were observed for several blood pressure measures. Among the top four baseline-defined fifths, 24-h systolic blood pressure was more strongly associated with all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 1·41 per 1 - SD increment [95% CI 1·36-1·47]) than clinic systolic blood pressure (1·18 [1·13-1·23]). After adjustment for clinic blood pressure, 24-h blood pressure remained strongly associated with all-cause deaths (HR 1·43 [95% CI 1·37-1·49]), but the association between clinic blood pressure and all-cause death was attenuated when adjusted for 24-h blood pressure (1·04 [1·00-1·09]). Compared with the informativeness of clinic systolic blood pressure (100%), night-time systolic blood pressure was most informative about risk of all-cause death (591%) and cardiovascular death (604%). Relative to blood pressure within the normal range, elevated all-cause mortality risks were observed for masked hypertension (HR 1·24 [95% CI 1·12-1·37]) and sustained hypertension (1·24 [1·15-1·32]), but not white-coat hypertension, and elevated cardiovascular mortality risks were observed for masked hypertension (1·37 [1·15-1·63]) and sustained hypertension (1·38 [1·22-1·55]), but not white-coat hypertension. INTERPRETATION: Ambulatory blood pressure, particularly night-time blood pressure, was more informative about the risk of all-cause death and cardiovascular death than clinic blood pressure. FUNDING: Spanish Society of Hypertension, Lacer Laboratories, UK Medical Research Council, Health Data Research UK, National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centres (Oxford and University College London Hospitals), and British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence.

Accuracy of automated cuff blood pressure monitors in special populations: International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Task Group report and call for research.

OBJECTIVE: Automated cuff blood pressure (BP) devices are widely used for ambulatory, home, and office BP measurement. However, an automated device, which is accurate in the general adult population may be inaccurate in some special populations. A 2018 Collaborative Statement by the US Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, the European Society of Hypertension, and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) considered three special populations requiring separate validation (age <3 years, pregnancy, and atrial fibrillation). An ISO Task Group was appointed to identify evidence for additional special populations. METHOD: Evidence on potential special populations was identified from the STRIDE BP database, which performs systematic PubMed searches for published validation studies of automated cuff BP monitors. Devices that passed in a general population, but failed in potential special populations were identified. RESULTS: Of 338 publications (549 validations, 348 devices) in the STRIDE BP database, 29 publications (38 validations, 25 devices) involved 4 potential special populations: (i) age 12-18 years: 3 of 7 devices failed but passed in a general population; (ii) age more than 65 years: 1 of 11 devices failed but passed in a general population; (iii) diabetes type-2: 4 devices (all passed); (iv) chronic kidney disease: 2 of 7 devices failed but passed in a general population. CONCLUSION: Some evidence suggest that the automated cuff BP devices may have different accuracy in adolescents and in patients with chronic kidney disease than in the general population. More research is needed to confirm these findings and investigate other potential special populations.

Blood pressure variability: methodological aspects, clinical relevance and practical indications for management - a European Society of Hypertension position paper ∗.

Blood pressure is not a static parameter, but rather undergoes continuous fluctuations over time, as a result of the interaction between environmental and behavioural factors on one side and intrinsic cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms on the other side. Increased blood pressure variability (BPV) may indicate an impaired cardiovascular regulation and may represent a cardiovascular risk factor itself, having been associated with increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, end-stage renal disease, and dementia incidence. Nonetheless, BPV was considered only a research issue in previous hypertension management guidelines, because the available evidence on its clinical relevance presents several gaps and is based on heterogeneous studies with limited standardization of methods for BPV assessment. The aim of this position paper, with contributions from members of the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Blood Pressure Monitoring and Cardiovascular Variability and from a number of international experts, is to summarize the available evidence in the field of BPV assessment methodology and clinical applications and to provide practical indications on how to measure and interpret BPV in research and clinical settings based on currently available data. Pending issues and clinical and methodological recommendations supported by available evidence are also reported. The information provided by this paper should contribute to a better standardization of future studies on BPV, but should also provide clinicians with some indications on how BPV can be managed based on currently available data.

Pulse Wave Velocity and Blood Pressure Variability as Prognostic Indicators in Very Elderly Patients.

There is scarce evidence for the prognostic importance of hemodynamic measures, such as blood pressure (BP), BP variability, and arterial stiffness, in the very elderly population with advanced chronic conditions. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic importance of 24 h BP, BP variability, and arterial stiffness in a cohort of very elderly patients admitted to the hospital due to a decompensated chronic disease. We studied 249 patients older than 80 (66% women; 60% congestive heart failure). Noninvasive 24 h monitoring was used to determine 24 h brachial and central BP, BP and heart rate variabilities, aortic pulse wave velocity, and BP variability ratios during admission. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Aortic pulse wave velocity (3.3 times for each SD increase) and BP variability ratio (31% for each SD increase) were associated with 1-year mortality, after adjustments for clinical confounders. Increased systolic BP variability (38% increase for each SD change) and reduced heart rate variability (32% increase for each SD change) also predicted 1-year mortality. In conclusion, increased aortic stiffness and BP and heart rate variabilities predict 1-year mortality in very elderly patients with decompensated chronic conditions. Measurements of such estimates could be useful in the prognostic evaluation of this specific population.

Role of ambulatory blood pressure on prediction of cardiovascular disease. A cohort study.

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) is associated with mortality, but it is also interesting to expand its association with cardiovascular morbidity. This study sought to evaluate association with cardiovascular morbidity and cardiovascular mortality. Patients without cardiovascular disease who had a first 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring were followed-up until the onset of the first event (a combined variable of cardiovascular mortality, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arteriopathy, or hospital admission for heart failure). Changes in antihypertensive treatment couldn't be collected. Cox regression analysis was adjusted for risk factors and office BP. We included 3907 patients (mean age, 58.0, SD 13.8 years), of whom 85.5% were hypertensive. The follow up period was 6.6 (95% CI 5.0-8.5) years. A total of 496 (12.7%) events were recorded. The incidence rate was 19.3 (95% CI 17.7-21.1) cases per 1000 person-years. The patients with an event compared to the rest of patients were mostly men, older, with higher office and ambulatory systolic BP, higher prevalence of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, and non-dipper or riser circadian profile. In the fully adjusted model, office BP loses its significant association with the main variable. Ambulatory BP association remained significant with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, HR 1.494 (1.326-1.685) and 0.767 (0.654-0.899) for 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. Nighttime systolic BP also maintained this significant association, 1.270 (1.016-1.587). We conclude that nighttime systolic BP and 24-hour BP are significantly associated with cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in patients without cardiovascular disease attended under conditions of routine clinical practice.

Impact of Spirometrically Confirmed Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Arterial Stiffness and Surfactant Protein D After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention. The CATEPOC Study.

Background: Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain why chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impairs the prognosis of coronary events. We aimed to explore COPD variables related to a worse prognosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: Patients with an acute coronary event treated by PCI were prospectively included. One month after discharge, clinical characteristics, comorbidities measured with the Charlson index, and prognostic coronary scales (logistic EuroSCORE; GRACE 2.0) were collected. Post-bronchodilator spirometry, arterial stiffness, and serum inflammatory and myocardial biomarkers were measured. Lung plasmatic biomarkers (Surfactant protein D, desmosine, and Clara cell secretory protein-16) were determined with ELISA. COPD was defined by the fixed ratio (FEV1/FVC <70%). Spirometric values were also analyzed as continuous variables using adjusted and non-adjusted ANCOVA analysis. Finally, we evaluated the presence of a respiratory pattern defined by non-stratified spirometric values and pulmonary biomarkers. Results: A total of 164 patients with a mean age of 65 (±10) years (79% males) were included. COPD was diagnosed in 56 (34%) patients (68% previously undiagnosed). COPD patients had a longer smoking history, higher scores on the EuroSCORE (p < 0.0001) and GRACE 2.0 (p < 0.001) scales, and more comorbidities (p = 0.006). Arterial stiffness determined by pulse wave velocity was increased in COPD patients (7.35 m/s vs 6.60 m/s; p = 0.006). Serum values of high sensitive T troponin (p = 0.007) and surfactant protein D (p = 0.003) were also higher in COPD patients. FEV1% remained significantly associated with arterial stiffness and surfactant protein D in the adjusted ANCOVA analysis. In the cluster exploration, 53% of the patients had a respiratory pattern. Conclusion: COPD affects one-third of patients with an acute coronary event and frequently remains undiagnosed. Several mechanisms, including arterial stiffness and SPD, were increased in COPD patients. Their relationship with the prognosis should be confirmed with longitudinal follow-up of the cohort.