COMPARISON BETWEEN SCLERAL BUCKLING AND VITRECTOMY IN THE ONSET OF CYSTOID MACULAR EDEMA AND EPIRETINAL MEMBRANE AFTER RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT REPAIR.

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors for the main complications in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with scleral buckling (SB) or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). METHODS: A retrospective, comparative, observational study was conducted. The medical records of 107 patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who were managed with SB (n = 57) or PPV (n = 50) were reviewed. Scleral buckling was performed using scleral encircling solid silicone band and circumferential solid silicone exoplant to support the break. Pars plana vitrectomy was combined with phacoemulsification in phakic eyes and with scleral encircling in inferior detachments. Follow-ups, including spectral-domain optical coherence tomography examination, were scheduled at 1, 3, and 12 months after surgery. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for potential preoperative selection bias. RESULTS: The overall incidence of postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME) and epiretinal membrane was 14.95% and 30.84%, respectively. Compared with SB, CME was more frequent in the PPV (P = 0.021) and in the PPV pseudophakic eyes (P = 0.027). Postoperative CME was an early, predominantly transient complication and regressed in 67% of SB and in 77% of PPV eyes within 12 months after surgery. No differences were observed regarding epiretinal membrane development. Except for the surgical technique, no preoperative factors associated with CME were identified. A correlation between epiretinal membrane and patients' age was found (P = 0.028). CONCLUSION: The incidence of CME after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair was higher in patients who underwent PPV, either alone or combined with phacoemulsification, than in those treated with SB. Epiretinal membrane development was correlated to older age, regardless of the surgical procedure.

Excimer laser-assisted phototherapeutic keratectomies combined to EDTA chelation for the treatment of calcific band keratopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Calcific band keratopathy (CBK) is a relatively common chronic corneal degeneration and various forms of treatment are mentioned in the literature. CASES DESCRIPTION: Two patients (89 and 37 yo, respectively) affected by diffuse long-standing CBK in one eye and complaining of ocular pain, foreign body sensation and decreased visual acuity are reported. An ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) application on the ocular surface was performed associated with a customized no-touch transepithelial phototherapeutic corneal remodeling in one patient and a standard phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in the second patient. Corneal transparency progressively improved in both cases since the early follow-up visits and the cornea became clear 2 weeks after surgery. In both cases, a significant reduction of ocular discomfort was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Combining EDTA chelation and excimer laser-assisted PTK represents an useful treatment of band keratopathy even in challenging cases and may help regularize corneal surface and improve corneal clarity.

A Novel Approach to Left Ventricular Filling Pressure Assessment: The Role of Hemodynamic Forces Analysis.

Background: Diastolic function in patients with heart failure is usually impaired, resulting in increased left ventricular (LV) filling pressures, whose gold standard assessment is right heart catheterization (RHC). Hemodynamic force (HDF) analysis is a novel echocardiographic tool, providing an original approach to cardiac function assessment through the speckle-tracking technology. The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of HDFs, both alone and included in a new predictive model, as a potential novel diagnostic tool of the diastolic function. Methods: HDF analysis was retrospectively performed in 67 patients enrolled in the "Right1 study." All patients underwent RHC and echocardiography up to 2 h apart. Increased LV filling pressure (ILFP) was defined as pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) ≥ 15 mmHg. Results: Out of 67 patients, 33 (49.2%) showed ILFP at RHC. Diastolic longitudinal force (DLF), the mean amplitude of longitudinal forces during diastole, was associated with the presence of ILFP (OR = 0.84 [0.70; 0.99], p = 0.046). The PCWP prediction score we built including DLF, ejection fraction, left atrial enlargement, and e' septal showed an AUC of 0.83 [0.76-0.89], with an optimal internal validation. When applied to our population, the score showed a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 85.3%, which became 66.7 and 94.4%, respectively, when applied to patients classified with "indeterminate diastolic function" according to the current recommendations. Conclusion: HDF analysis could be an additional useful tool in diastolic function assessment. A scoring system including HDFs might improve echocardiographic accuracy in estimating LV filling pressures. Further carefully designed studies could be useful to clarify the additional value of this new technology.

Pulse wave velocity and short-term outcome in patients requiring intravascular volume expansion: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Fluid therapy has a pivotal role in the management of acutely ill patients. However, whether or not a patient can tolerate additional intravascular volume is controversial and optimal strategy is unknown. Carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) evaluates arterial stiffness. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cfPWV can predict the ability of patients to tolerate clinically indicated acute fluid expansion. METHODS: 50 consecutive patients requiring intravascular volume expansion were prospectively recruited in intensive care units. All subjects underwent transthoracic echocardiography, pulmonary ultrasound assessment, and a cfPWV study (S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital in Turin, Italy, between 2015 and 2016) at baseline and after 24 hours. Acute outcomes were registered at 24 hours ("soft" end points) and 30 days ('hard' end points: death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, occurrence of atrial fibrillation, need for dialysis) after initial fluid therapy. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess association of the initial cfPWV with outcomes. RESULTS: cfPWV was significantly higher (10.6±3.6 vs 7.4±2.2 m/s, P<0.0001) in subjects who met the prespecified combined endpoints (hard or soft) than in those who did not. After adjustment for confounding factors, initial cfPWV was significantly and independently associated with the occurrence of hard events (OR=2.8 (95% CI 1.36 to 5.97), P=0.005; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 84%). cfPWV of <9 m/s had a negative predictive value of 93%, excluding hard events associated with fluid expansion. CONCLUSION: cfPWV appears to reflect the ability of the patient to tolerate an intravascular fluid expansion when clinically indicated. Increased cfPWV could help to identify subjects at greater risk of developing signs and symptoms of fluid overload.

Cardiovascular Organ Damage and Blood Pressure Levels Predict Adverse Events in Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Carfilzomib Therapy.

Carfilzomib is a second-generation proteasome inhibitor approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). It seems to determine cardiovascular toxicity, primarily arterial hypertension. No predictive factors for cardiovascular adverse events (CVAEs) are known in patients affected by multiple myeloma treated with carfilzomib. We evaluated the role of cardiovascular organ damage parameters to predict CVAEs in MM patients taking carfilzomib. Seventy patients affected by MM were prospectively enrolled. A comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation was performed before carfilzomib therapy; they underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram and the assessment of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. All the patients were followed up (FU) to determine the incidence of CVAEs. The mean age was 60.3 ± 8.2, and 51% were male. The median FU was 9.3 (4.3; 20.4) months. A proportion of 33% experienced CVAEs, 91% of them had uncontrolled hypertension, 4.5% acute coronary syndrome, and 4.5% cardiac arrhythmias. Subjects with CVAEs after carfilzomib treatment had significantly higher blood pressure values, left ventricular mass (98 ± 23 vs. 85 ± 17 g/m2, p = 0.01), and pulse wave velocity (8.5 ± 1.7 vs. 7.5 ± 1.6 m/s, p = 0.02) at baseline evaluation compared to the others. Furthermore, baseline uncontrolled blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, and pulse wave velocity ≥ 9 m/s were able to identify patients at higher risk of developing CVAEs during FU. These preliminary findings indicate that blood pressure control, left ventricular mass, and pulse wave velocity may predict CVAEs in MM patients treated with carfilzomib.

Arterial Hypertension and Multiple Myeloma: Physiopathology and Cardiovascular Risk and 'Practical' Indications in Patients Receiving Carfilzomib.

The introduction of carfilzomib in the treatment of relapsing and refractory multiple myeloma has allowed a significant increase in survival. The most frequent adverse effect of Carfilzomib treatment is arterial hypertension, even though the exact physiopathological mechanism are still unclear. MM patients, on the other hand, often present significant cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities. Uncontrolled hypertension is frequently the cause of cardiovascular complications. It has been estimated that up to 50% of subjects in the general population are unaware of their hypertensive condition and only half of those who are aware of this risk factor present good control of blood pressure. Although the management of arterial hypertension is clearly important in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, and is well described by the current guidelines, no clear indications are provided on how to approach and treat specifically MM patients undergoing treatment with proteasome inhibitors. The aim of our work is to summarize a practical approach to the stratification of cardiovascular risk of hypertensive in patients who are candidates for or actively treated with carfilzomib for refractory multiple myeloma (MMR). MM patients eligible for carfilzomib treatment should preliminary undergo a careful cardiovascular risk stratification. Perspective studies will help to better identify the specific risk factors that should be considered and treated in these patients.

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Serological and Lacrimal Signaling in Patients Affected by Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis (VKC).

BACKGROUND: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a rare inflammatory disease involving the ocular surface, with seasonally exacerbated symptoms. Both type-1 and type-4 hypersensitivity reactions play a role in the development of VKC. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the presence and evaluate the concentration of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tear and blood samples from patients with VKC, during the acute phase, based on the histopathological vasculostromal structure of the tarsal papillae. METHODS: Two groups of children aged between 6 and 16 years of life were enrolled: 21 patients (16 males, 76%) affected by VKC, tarsal or mixed form, and 13 healthy children (5 males, 38%) used as controls. Blood and tear samples were obtained from all patients, in order to specifically assess the presence of VEGF. Statistical analyses were performed with one-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc comparisons with the Bonferroni tests. Pearson's correlation was chosen as statistical analysis to assess the relationship between the expression levels of VEGF in tears and blood and the clinical parameters measured. RESULTS: Comparing the 2 groups for VEGF concentration, a statistically significant difference was found in tear samples: the mean value was 12.13 pg/mL (±5.54 SD) in the patient group and 7 pg/ml (±4.76 SD) in controls (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found when comparing VEGF concentration in blood samples (p > 0.05), with a mean value of 45.17 pg/mL (±18.67 SD) in VKC patients and 38.08 pg/mL (±19.43 SD) in controls. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study highlights the importance of lacrimal and vascular inflammatory biomarkers that can be detected in VKC patients during the acute phase, but not in healthy children. The small group of patients warrants additional studies on a larger sample, not only to further investigate the role of VEGF but also to evaluate the angiogenic biomarkers before and after topical treatment.

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Toxicity Associated with Treatments Containing Proteasome Inhibitors in Multiple Myeloma Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Recently new treatment options have substantially increased survival for patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Among these, proteasome inhibitors (PI), such as bortezomib and carfilzomib, offer high response rate and prolonged survival. These agents are generally well tolerated but demonstrated a significant cardiovascular toxicity, mostly for regimen containing carfilzomib. AIM: To assess the cardiovascular damage in patients treated with PI for RRMM. METHODS: 28 consecutive subjects treated with PI for RRMM were evaluated and compared with a population of 22 control (Con) subjects, matched for age, sex and mean 24 h blood pressure (24hMBP). All individuals underwent trans-thoracic echocardiography, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and pulse wave velocity (PVW) study. RESULTS: PI patients did not have significant differences in blood pressure load and PWV compared to controls. Among echocardiographic parameters, the global longitudinal strain (GLS) was significantly decreased in PI subjects (p = 0.02). The GLS was significantly lower also considering only patients treated with carfilzomib. Moreover, among carfilzomib patients, we found increase values of left ventricle mass indexed by BSA (LVMi; p = 0.047). After correction for age, sex, BSA, 24hMBP and morphological and functional parameters of LV, treatment with PI and carfilzomib were significantly associated with GLS (p = 0.01; p = 0.036, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: PI treatment is associated with subclinical LV dysfunction in patients with RRMM compared to controls, as demonstrated by lower GLS values. These results are confirmed also considering patients treated with carfilzomib. Moreover, in this subgroup of patients, the LVMi is also increased, suggesting higher cardiotoxicity with this treatment.

Inaccuracy of Right Atrial Pressure Estimates Through Inferior Vena Cava Indices.

The precision of echocardiography in estimating pulmonary pressures has been debated. A value of right atrial pressure (RAP) is needed for pulmonary pressure estimation, and it could be partly responsible for the estimation error. Several schemes based on the inferior vena cava (IVC) are commonly used in clinical practice and in experimental studies for RAP estimation. However, the majority lack proper validation, and thus far, no study has compared them all. In this prospective, blinded study, a comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography was performed on 200 patients referred for right heart catheterization. The IVC was measured in different views and RAP was estimated according to 6 different schemes. One hundred ninety patients were suitable for analysis. IVC measurements were significantly but poorly associated with invasive RAP. All RAP schemes showed poor accuracy compared with invasive RAP (average accuracy 34%). None of the schemes showed a clear superiority over the others. No echocardiographic or clinical variables showed a relevant impact on the estimation error. In conclusion, RAP estimation based on the IVC is highly inaccurate irrespective of the method used and should be avoided whenever possible. Whether adding estimated RAP values affects the estimation of pulmonary pressures is yet to be determined.

Left ventricular geometry and 24-h blood pressure profile in Cushing's syndrome.

Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with cardiovascular disease. The impact of the hemodynamic load on left ventricular mass (LVM) in patients with CS is not well known. In fact, the effects of 24-h blood pressure (BP) load and BP circadian rhythm on cardiac structure and function have not been studied. Aim of the present study has thus been to assess the presence of cardiac remodeling in patients with newly diagnosed CS, combining evaluation of cardiac remodeling and assessment of BP burden derived by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). 25 patients (4 M, 21 F) with CS underwent echocardiography in order to assess cardiac morphology and geometry (relative wall thickness-RWT). As controls, 25 subjects similar for demographic characteristics and 24-h BP were used. CS Patients were similar to controls by age, sex, mean 24-h BP, and body mass index. There was a significant increase in left ventricular mass (LVM; 44.4 ± 14.7 vs. 36.9 ± 10 g/m2.7, p = 0.03) and a significant increase in RWT (0.46 ± 0.07 vs. 0.41 ± 0.08, p = 0.02) in CS patients compared to controls. The prevalence of CS patients with pressure non-dipping profile was greater than that of controls (56 vs. 16 %, p < 0.05), with no significant association with LVM or geometry. 24-h urinary cortisol was not associated with LVM (r = 0.1, p = 0.5) or RWT (r = 0.02, p = 0.89) in the CS group. In conclusion, LVM and the concentric pattern of the left ventricle are relatively independent from 24-h BP load and profile (dipping/non-dipping) in CS patients.

Prognostic Implications of LV Strain Risk Score in Asymptomatic Patients With Hypertensive Heart Disease.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the associations of left ventricular (LV) strain and its serial change with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in hypertensive heart disease, independent of and incremental to clinical and LV geometric parameters. BACKGROUND: In patients with hypertensive heart disease, MACE are associated with abnormal LV morphology, but their association with subclinical LV dysfunction is unclear. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 388 asymptomatic nonischemic patients with hypertension who had abnormal LV geometry at a baseline echocardiogram between 2005 and 2014. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was measured using speckle tracking. Patients were followed for MACE (death and admission because of heart failure, myocardial infarction, and strokes) over median of 4 years. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess the association of parameters with MACE. RESULTS: MACE (n = 72; 19%) were associated with higher prevalence of concentric hypertrophy and impaired GLS (both, p < 0.01). The association of GLS with MACE was independent of and incremental to clinical parameters and concentric hypertrophy. Echocardiographic follow-up was performed in 55 patients (median duration, 3 years); deterioration in GLS was also associated with the 10 patients experiencing MACE after the second echo. A risk score was developed using age >70, atrial fibrillation, concentric hypertrophy, and baseline GLS >-16% from the derivation cohort (C statistic, 0.71), and a separate validation cohort showed it to have good discrimination for MACE (C statistic, 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: GLS and its deterioration are associated with MACE in asymptomatic hypertensive heart disease. A risk score incorporating strain was useful for predicting risk of MACE.

Effect of Right Ventricular Pacing on Right Ventricular Mechanics and Tricuspid Regurgitation in Patients With High-Grade Atrioventricular Block and Sinus Rhythm (from the Protection of Left Ventricular Function During Right Ventricular Pacing Study).

Right ventricular (RV) pacing has been linked with lead-induced tricuspid regurgitation (TR), left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, and dyssynchrony, but the effect of pacing on RV function is unclear. We sought to investigate the effect of pacing on RV synchrony, RV function, and TR, and their association with LV function. In this substudy of the PROTECT-PACE (Protection of left ventricular function during right ventricular pacing) study of the effects of RV pacing in patients with preserved ejection fraction, 145 patients (76 RV apex and 69 non-RV apex pacing) had measurable RV parameters. We assessed tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), time difference between peak TAPSE and peak mitral annular plane systolic excursion (TM-APSE-dif), global LV longitudinal strain, E/e', TR vena contracta, and TR peak gradient. Echocardiography was performed just after implantation and at 2 years. TR parameters significantly worsened after 2 years, but pacing site was not associated with changes in RV and TR parameters. No temporal change in TAPSE and TM-APSE-dif was observed overall, but worsening of TM-APSE-dif was associated with worsening TAPSE. Global longitudinal strain and E/e' both deteriorated over 2 years; these changes were significantly associated. In a multivariate regression, worsening global longitudinal strain and worsening TM-APSE-dif were significantly associated with deterioration of TAPSE. Furthermore, increased E/e' and its deterioration were associated with worsening TR vena contracta and TR peak gradient, respectively. Decreased TAPSE was also associated with deterioration of TR vena contracta. In conclusion, RV pacing appears to worsen TR, an effect which might be caused by elevated LV filling pressure due to LV dysfunction. In this study, RV pacing did not affect RV function during 2-year follow-up, but such an effect might occur if RV dyssynchrony or LV dysfunction occurred after pacing. The effect of RV pacing site on RV and TR mechanics was minor.

Functional and Anatomic Responses of the Left Atrium to Change in Estimated Left Ventricular Filling Pressure.

BACKGROUND: Left atrial (LA) remodeling and dysfunction reflect chronic exposure to elevated left ventricular (LV) filling pressures. The aim of this longitudinal cohort study was to define the effect of reducing LV filling pressures on reverse remodeling of LA volume (LAV) and function. METHODS: This retrospective cohort included 195 patients (52% men; mean age, 64 ± 14 years) in sinus rhythm with LA dilatation and sequential echocardiograms (median interval, 1 year; interquartile range, 0.5-2.0 years). One hundred seventy-four patients underwent medical therapy (82 with reduced E/e' ratios), and 21 underwent surgery for valvular heart disease. Biplane LAV (normal value, ≤ 68 mL for men, ≤ 62 mL for women), LA strain (ε) (normal value, >32%) and LV filling pressures (assessed as E/e' ratio; normal value, <13) were measured. RESULTS: Although LAV at baseline and follow-up were 88 ± 27 and 81 ± 24 mL, LA ε and E/e' ratio remained stable at 26 ± 11% and 14 ± 7, respectively. Changes in E/e' ratio were associated with changes in LAV (r = 0.37, P < .001) and LA ε (r = -0.51 P < .001). Although reduced E/e' ratio or improved LA ε at follow-up occurred in about 50% of the patients, only 26% (51 of 195) had normalized LAV. Compared with surgery, successful reduction of E/e' with medical therapy was less effective in reducing LAV (P < .001) but produced similar improvement in LA ε. Having normal or improved E/e' ratio at follow-up was not associated with normalization of LAV (relative risk, 1.29 [P = .326] and 1.22 [P = .421], respectively) but was associated with normalized LA ε (relative risk, 2.04 [P = .011] and 1.86 [P = .017], respectively) independently of LAV. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in LV filling pressures reduces but rarely normalizes LAV. The strong association of reduced LV filling pressure with improved LA function indicated by LA longitudinal ε supports the increasing interest of LA ε measurement.

Cost effectiveness of transcatheter aortic valve replacement compared with medical management or surgery for patients with aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: In the symptomatic patient, severe aortic stenosis (AS) has an extremely adverse prognosis in the absence of valve replacement, inevitably leading to deterioration of heart function, heart failure, and death. However, many patients with severe AS, advanced age, and comorbid disease may die with AS rather than from AS. While the results of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) are extremely favorable, this technique is not always possible because of either local- or patient-level contraindications. Over the last decade, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as a new treatment strategy for selected patients with AS. It has now become the standard of care for extremely high-risk (inoperable) patients with AS, and is an appropriate alternative to surgery in high-risk but operable patients. However, whether this intervention is a cost-effective use of resources is open to question AIM: The aim of this review was to assess the results and quality of the economic evaluations in the current literature and to identify the drivers of cost effectiveness. METHODS: We performed an electronic data search using four different electronic databases, selecting all studies that included cost-effectiveness data for TAVR compared with either medical management or surgery. Sixteen studies were evaluated for a qualitative and quantitative assessment. RESULTS: The quality of the cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs) were generally sufficient. In contrast, we found an extreme heterogeneity of input assumptions with consequent difficulties to generalize the conclusions. However, in the population of patients with severe symptomatic AS and a prohibitive surgical risk, TAVR generally represents a good choice, with incremental costs that are well balanced by the great benefit in terms of quality of life and survival. Nevertheless, the cost effectiveness of this procedure in the real world, particularly in patients with high healthcare costs from other comorbid conditions, may be less favorable. In AS patients with high (but not prohibitive) surgical risk, the choice between TAVR and SAVR is still debatable. Both procedures are comparable in terms of efficacy and safety but the evidence is inconclusive from an economic point of view. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this review, it was ascertained that the details of risk evaluation and patient selection will be critical in understanding how improvements in survival can be used to target the use of TAVR to ensure the cost-effective and sustainable use of resources.

Long-term cardio- and cerebrovascular events in patients with primary aldosteronism.

BACKGROUND: Aldosterone plays a detrimental role on the cardiovascular system and PA patients display a higher risk of events compared with EH. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to compare cardio- and cerebrovascular events in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and matched essential hypertension (EH). METHODS: We retrospectively compared the percentage of patients experiencing events at baseline and during a median follow-up of 12 years in 270 PA patients case-control matched 1:3 with EH patients and in PA subtypes [aldosterone-producing adenoma (n = 57); bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (n = 213)] vs matched EH. RESULTS: A significantly higher number of PA patients experienced cardiovascular events over the entire period of the study (22.6% vs 12.7%, P < .001). At the diagnosis of PA, a higher number of patients had experienced total events (14.1% vs 8.4% EH, P = .007); furthermore, during the follow-up period, PA patients had a higher rate of events (8.5% vs 4.3% EH, P = .008). In particular, stroke and arrhythmias were more frequent in PA patients. During the follow-up, a higher percentage of PA patients developed type 2 diabetes. Parameters that were independently associated with the occurrence of all events were age, duration of hypertension, systolic blood pressure, presence of diabetes mellitus, and PA diagnosis. After division into PA subtypes, patients with either aldosterone-producing adenoma or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia displayed a higher rate of events compared with the matched EH patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates in a large population of patients the pathogenetic role of aldosterone excess in the cardiovascular system and thus the importance of early diagnosis and targeted PA treatment.

Aortic root dilatation in essential hypertension: prevalence according to new reference values.

BACKGROUND: Aortic root dilatation (ARD) and arterial hypertension represent two important risk factors for aortic dissection: prevalence of observed ARD is increasing - up to 12% in the latest available reports. A recently published work tested on a good number of healthy individuals new reference ranges for aortic root dimensions, suggesting new reference values with corrections for age, gender, height (pHeight) or body surface area (pBSA). AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of ARD in hypertensive patients using various criteria. METHODS: A total of 1076 untreated and treated essential hypertensive patients (mean age, 52.5 ±â€Š2 years) were considered for this analysis. We measured proximal aortic diameters using ultrasound imaging (echocardiography). ARD was defined in three ways. First, when the observed aortic diameter was larger than that predicted for age, sex, and BSA (pBSA), second when larger than predicted by height (pHeight), and third when the aortic diameter to BSA ratio (ASi) was at least 2.1 cm/m. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients (22% of the study population) showed at least one among the three different criteria defining aortic dilatation. Prevalence of ARD, considering singularly each one of the criteria, varied between 12.8% (pBSA) and 16.9% (pHeight). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated a prevalence of ARD higher than previously reported. Our data suggest, therefore, the necessity of a correct choice of the diagnostic criterion that has to be applied in the single patient for definition of ARD. In particular, using the criterion pHeight in obese patients, we may avoid underdiagnosis of this condition.

Evaluation of primary aldosteronism.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to briefly summarize current knowledge on diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism, the most frequent cause of endocrine hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS: The prevalence of primary aldosteronism increases with the severity of hypertension, from 2% in patients with grade 1 hypertension to 20% among resistant hypertensives. The detection of primary aldosteronism is of particular importance, not only because it provides an opportunity for a targeted treatment but also because it has been extensively demonstrated that patients affected by primary aldosteronism are more prone to cardiovascular events and target organ damage than patients with essential hypertension. The diagnosis of primary aldosteronism is a three-step process; screening, confirmation and subtype diagnosis. SUMMARY: We review, the strategies to correctly identify primary aldosteronism, highlighting the central role of the new guidelines and the diagnostic aspects still under debate.