Low dialysate sodium and 48-h ambulatory blood pressure in patients with intradialytic hypertension: a randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Intradialytic hypertension (IDH) is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events and mortality. Patients with IDH exhibit higher 48-h blood pressure (BP) levels than patients without this condition. Volume and sodium excess are considered a major factor contributing in the development of this phenomenon. This study evaluated the effect of low (137 mEq/L) compared with standard (140 mEq/L) dialysate sodium concentration on 48-h BP in patients with IDH. METHODS: In this randomized, single-blind, crossover study, 29 patients with IDH underwent four hemodialysis sessions with low (137 mEq/L) followed by four sessions with standard (140 mEq/L) dialysate sodium, or vice versa. Mean 48-h BP, pre-/post-dialysis and intradialytic BP, pre-dialysis weight, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) and lung ultrasound B-lines were assessed. RESULTS: Mean 48-h systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) were significantly lower with low compared with standard dialysate sodium concentration (137.6 ± 17.0/81.4 ± 13.7 mmHg with low vs 142.9 ± 14.5/84.0 ± 13.9 mmHg with standard dialysate sodium, P = .005/P = .007, respectively); SBP/DBP levels were also significantly lower during the 44-h and different 24-h periods. Low dialysate sodium significantly reduced post-dialysis (SBP/DBP: 150.3 ± 22.3/91.2 ± 15.1 mmHg with low vs 166.6 ± 17.3/94.5 ± 14.9 mmHg with standard dialysate sodium, P < .001/P = .134, respectively) and intradialytic (141.4 ± 18.0/85.0 ± 13.4 mmHg with low vs 147.5 ± 13.6/88.1 ± 12.5 mmHg with standard dialysate sodium, P = .034/P = .013, respectively) BP compared with standard dialysate sodium. Pre-dialysis weight, IDWG and pre-dialysis B lines were also significantly decreased with low dialysate sodium. CONCLUSIONS: Low dialysate sodium concentration significantly reduced 48-h ambulatory BP compared with standard dialysate sodium in patients with IDH. These findings support low dialysate sodium as a major non-pharmacologic approach for BP management in patients with IDH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov study number NCT05430438.

Office or home versus 24-h blood pressure measurement in stable kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to quantify hypertension control and evaluate concordance between all commonly available blood pressure (BP) modalities in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). METHODS: For this prospective cross-sectional study, 89 stable KTRs were recruited at the Charité Transplant Outpatient Clinic. For each study participant office [manual office BP (MOBP) and automated office BP (AOBP)], 7-day home (HBPM) and 24-hour ambulatory BP (24h-ABPM) measurements were performed. RESULTS: 80 of the 89 patients recruited had sufficient BP recordings. The mean BP for MOBP, AOBP, HBPM and 24h-ABPM was 129/73, 126/71, 131/85 and 130/81 mmHg, respectively. Uncontrolled hypertension, as defined by 24h-ABPM (mean ≥130/80 mmHg), was present in 53 (66%) patients. MOBP, AOBP and HBPM classified 19 (24%), 22 (28%) and 41 (51%) patients, respectively, as 'uncontrolled hypertensive'. The Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement between systolic MOBP, AOBP, HBPM and daytime-ABPM (mean bias: -1 ± 13 mmHg, -4 ± 13 mmHg, 1 ± 10 mmHg, respectively). Uncontrolled night-time hypertension was present in 74 (93%) KTRs, with 71 (89%) patients showing a non-physiological dipping pattern. Moderate positive correlation between daytime-ABPM/HBPM and night-time-ABPM (Pearson correlation coefficients: 0.62-0.73), followed by MOBP/AOBP (Pearson correlation coefficients: 0.49-0.59) was noted. Estimated eGFR and proteinuria displayed weak correlation with 24h-, daytime- and night-time-ABPM (absolute values of Pearson correlation coefficients: 0.04-0.41). No robust association with either 24h-, daytime- or night-time-ABPM was observed for volume status exams. CONCLUSIONS: Masked hypertension is highly prevalent in KTRs, especially due to high rates of uncontrolled night-time hypertension. HBPM shows the narrowest limits of agreement with daytime-ABPM. Daytime-ABPM and HBPM show the highest, albeit clinically insufficient, correlation with night-time-ABPM. Systematic integration of 24h-ABPM into clinical practice, as proposed by the 2023 ESH guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension, should not be withheld for the KTR population. Clinical trials evaluating the treatment of hypertension in KTRs are urgently needed.

Prevalence of masked hypertension in children with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension poses a significant risk as a complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to its hastened advancement. Implementing ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), a straightforward and non-invasive method proves beneficial in identifying masked hypertension. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving children aged 5-15 years diagnosed with CKD to estimate the difference in masked HTN prevalence between the 2014 and 2022 AHA ABPM guidelines. The study encompassed a comprehensive assessment, including 24-h blood pressure monitoring and was performed using ABPM. Left ventricular mass (LVM) was computed based on measurements obtained from M-mode echocardiography. PWV was determined by calculating the ratio of distance (D) to time (t). RESULTS: We examined a cohort of 138 children diagnosed with CKD. Our findings reveal that, in accordance with the 2022 American Heart Association (AHA) ABPM guidelines, prevalence of masked hypertension stands at 29.7% marking a notable increase of 17.4% compared to the 2014 ABPM guidelines signifying a substantial proportion of undetected hypertensive cases. Furthermore, the prevalence of hypertension is 48.5% as detected by ABPM, marking a notable increase of 22.5%. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial occurrence of masked hypertension was identified in pediatric CKD patients through the application of ABPM. ABPM proves to be an effective tool for uncovering masked hypertension in children with CKD.

Population prevalence of aspergillus sensitization and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in COPD subjects in North India.

BACKGROUND: Sensitization to Aspergillus fumigatus (AS) has been recently described in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, there is no data on the community prevalence of AS in COPD. OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of AS among COPD subjects. The secondary objectives were to (1) assess the prevalence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in COPD and (2) compare the lung function in COPD subjects with and without AS. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in rural (29 villages) and urban (20 wards) communities in North India. We identified individuals with respiratory symptoms (IRS) through a house-to-house survey using a modified IUATLD questionnaire. We then diagnosed COPD through specialist assessment and spirometry using the GOLD criteria. We assayed A.fumigatus-specific IgE in COPD subjects. In those with A. fumigatus-specific IgE ≥0.35 kUA/L (AS), ABPA was diagnosed with raised serum total IgE and raised A.fumigatus-specific IgG or blood eosinophil count. RESULTS: We found 1315 (8.2%) IRS among 16,071 participants >40 years and diagnosed COPD in 355 (2.2%) subjects. 291 (82.0%) were men and 259 (73.0%) resided in rural areas. The prevalence of AS and ABPA was 17.7% (95% CI, 13.9-21.8) and 6.6% (95% CI, 4.4-8.8). We found a lower percentage predicted FEV1 in COPD subjects with AS than those without (p =.042). CONCLUSIONS: We found an 18% community prevalence of AS in COPD subjects in a specific area in North India. Studies from different geographical areas are required to confirm our findings. The impact of AS and ABPA on COPD requires further research.

Detection of Specific IgE against Molds Involved in Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycoses in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

CONTEXT: Allergic bronchopulmonary mycoses (ABPM) can be due to molds other than Aspergillus fumigatus in patients with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). We aimed to develop immunoassays for the detection of specific IgE (sIgE) directed against five fungal species involved in ABPM: Aspergillus terreus, Scedosporium apiospermum, Lomentospora prolificans, Rasamsonia argillacea, and Exophiala dermatitidis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples (n = 356) from 238 pwCF, collected in eight CF care centers in France, Germany, and Italy, were analyzed by dissociated enhanced lanthanide fluorescent immunoassay (DELFIA®) to assess levels of sIgE directed against antigenic extracts of each fungus. Clinical, biological, and radiological data were collected for each episode. One hundred serum samples from healthy blood donors were used as controls. Sera were classified into four groups depending on the level of sIgE according to the quartile repartition calculated for the pwCF population. A score of 4 for values above the 3rd quartile corresponds to an elevated level of sIgE. RESULTS: PwCF showed higher levels of sIgE than controls. Based on criteria from the ABPA-ISHAM working group, with an additional criterion of "a sIgE score of 4 for at least one non-A. fumigatus mold", we were able to diagnose six cases of ABPM. CONCLUSIONS: Using 417 IU/mL as the threshold for total IgE and the same additional criterion, we identified seven additional pwCF with "putative ABPM". Detection of sIgE by DELFIA® showed good analytical performance and supports the role played by non-A. fumigatus molds in ABPM. However, commercially available kits usable in routine practice are needed to improve the diagnosis of ABPM.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in India.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a lung disorder caused by immune-mediated reactions mounted against Aspergillus fumigatus. The disorder most commonly complicates the course of patients with asthma and cystic fibrosis. From its first description in 1952, significant advances have been made in understanding the pathogenesis and the diagnosis and treatment of ABPA. In the last two decades, most research on ABPA has been published from India. The prevalence and clinical presentation may differ in India from that reported elsewhere. Herein, we review the epidemiology, clinical and radiological characteristics, and distinctive features of ABPA in the Indian subcontinent. To support the review, we surveyed pulmonologists nationwide to understand the challenges in diagnosing and managing ABPA. The survey has yielded valuable insights into the practices associated with the diagnosis and management of ABPA in India.

Blood Pressure Classification Status in Children With CKD Following Adoption of the 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics Guideline.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Accurate detection of hypertension is crucial for clinical management of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). The 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) clinical practice guideline for childhood hypertension included new normative blood pressure (BP) values and revised definitions of BP categories. In this study, we examined the effect of applying the AAP guideline's normative data and definitions to the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) cohort compared with use of normative data and definitions from the 2004 Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Children and adolescents in the CKiD cohort. EXPOSURE: Clinic BP measurements. OUTCOME: BP percentiles and hypertension stages calculated using the 2017 AAP guideline and the Fourth Report from 2004. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Agreement analysis compared the estimated percentile and prevalence of high BP based on the 2017 guideline and 2004 report to clinic and combined ambulatory BP readings. RESULTS: The proportion of children classified as having normal clinic BP was similar using the 2017 and 2004 systems, but the use of the 2017 normative data classified more participants as having stages 1-2 hypertension (22% vs 11%), with marginal reproducibility (κ=0.569 [95% CI, 0.538-0.599]). Those identified as having stage 2 hypertension by the 2017 guideline had higher levels of proteinuria compared with those identified using the 2004 report. Comparing use of the 2017 guideline and the 2004 report in terms of ambulatory BP monitoring categories, there were substantially more participants with white coat (3.5% vs 1.5%) and ambulatory (15.5% vs 7.9%) hypertension, but the proportion with masked hypertension was lower (40.2% vs 47.8%, respectively), and the percentage of participants who were normotensive was similar (40.9% vs 42.9%, respectively). Overall, there was good reproducibility (κ=0.799 [95% CI, 0.778-0.819]) of classification by ambulatory BP monitoring. LIMITATIONS: Relationship with long-term progression and target organ damage was not assessed. CONCLUSIONS: A greater percentage of children with CKD were identified as having hypertension based on both clinic and ambulatory BP when using the 2017 AAP guideline versus the Fourth Report from 2004, and the 2017 guideline better discriminated those with higher levels of proteinuria. The substantial differences in the classification of hypertension when using the 2017 guideline should inform clinical care.

Short-term Blood Pressure Variability and Incident CKD in Patients With Hypertension: Findings From the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center-High Risk (CMERC-HI) Study.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: The association between short-term blood pressure variability (BPV) and kidney outcomes is poorly understood. This study evaluated the association between short-term BPV and kidney disease outcomes in people with hypertension. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 1,173 hypertensive participants in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center-High Risk (2013-2018) Study with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60mL/min/1.73m2. EXPOSURE: Short-term BPV assessed by average real variability (ARV). OUTCOME: Composite kidney disease outcome (30% decline in eGFR from baseline, new occurrence of eGFR <60mL/min/1.73m2, or onset of UACR >300mg/g). ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Multivariable Cox regression analyses to evaluate the association between systolic and diastolic BP ARV (SBP-ARV and DBP-ARV) and outcomes. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 5.4 [4.1-6.5] years, 271 events of the composite kidney disease outcome occurred (46.5 per 1,000 person-years). Multivariable Cox analysis revealed that the highest SBP-ARV and DBP-ARV tertiles were associated with a higher risk of the composite kidney disease outcome than the lowest tertiles, independent of the 24-hour SBP or DBP levels (HR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.16-2.33], and 1.60 [95% CI, 1.15-2.24] for SBP-ARV and DBP-ARV, respectively). These associations were consistent when SBP-ARV and DBP-ARV were treated as continuous variables (HR per 1.0-unit greater SBP-ARV, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01-1.06]; HR per 1.0-unit greater DBP-ARV, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.01-1.08]). These associations were consistent, irrespective of subgroups (age, sex, 24-hour SBP or DBP, and moderate albuminuria). However, other measures of short-term BPV including SD, coefficient of variation, and dipping patterns were not associated with the composite kidney disease outcome. LIMITATIONS: Observational study design, the use of single measurement of 24-hour BP, lack of information on changes in antihypertensive medication during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term BPV is associated with the development of a composite kidney disease outcome in hypertensive patients.

Dipping Status, Ambulatory Blood Pressure Control, Cardiovascular Disease, and Kidney Disease Progression: A Multicenter Cohort Study of CKD.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring allows concurrent evaluation of BP control and nocturnal BP dipping status, both related to adverse outcomes. However, few studies have assessed the prognostic role of combining information on dipping status and achieved ambulatory BP in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 906 patients with hypertension and CKD attending 1 of 3 Italian nephrology clinics. EXPOSURE: Four groups were defined by simultaneously classifying systolic ambulatory BP levels as being at goal (daytime SBP <135 and nighttime SBP <120 mm Hg) or above goal, and the presence or absence of nocturnal dipping (nighttime to daytime SBP ratio of <0.9 versus ≥0.9). OUTCOME: The composite of time to initiation of maintenance dialysis or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline ≥50%, and the composite of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate risks of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular disease in the 4 exposure groups where nocturnal dipping with systolic ambulatory BP at goal was the reference group. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 63.8 years, 61% were male, and 26.4% had diabetes; eGFR was 41.1 ± 20.8 mL/min/1.73 m2. The dipping prevalence in each of the 4 groups was as follows: nocturnal dipping with ambulatory BP at goal, 18.6%; no nocturnal dipping with ambulatory BP at goal, 20.5%; nocturnal dipping with ambulatory BP above goal, 11.8%; and no nocturnal dipping with ambulatory BP above goal, 49.1%. Among patients with ambulatory BP above goal, the risk of cardiovascular events was greater in the absence (HR, 2.79 [95% CI, 1.64-4.75]) and presence (HR, 2.05 [95% CI, 1.10-3.84]) of nocturnal dipping. The same held true for risk of kidney disease progression (HRs of 2.40 [95% CI, 1.58-3.65] and 2.11 [95% CI, 1.28-3.48] in the absence and presence of nocturnal dipping, respectively). Patients at the ambulatory BP goal but who did not experience nocturnal dipping had an increased risk of the cardiovascular end point (HR, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.15-3.68]) and the kidney disease progression outcome (HR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.17-2.82]). LIMITATIONS: Lack of a diverse cohort (all those enrolled were White). Residual uncontrolled confounding. CONCLUSIONS: Systolic ambulatory BP above goal or the absence of nocturnal dipping, regardless of ambulatory BP, is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression among patients with CKD. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring improves the identification of individuals at high risk of clinical disease outcomes. Those with uncontrolled ambulatory BP are known to have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and kidney disease progression, particularly when their ambulatory BP does not decline by at least 10% at night. Whether this is also true for patients with presence of optimal ambulatory BP levels but a BP pattern of no nighttime decline is largely unknown. We measured ambulatory BP in 900 Italian patients with CKD and followed them for several years. We found that, independent of ambulatory BP level, the absence of nighttime reductions in BP was associated with worsening of CKD and more frequent cardiovascular events. The absence of nighttime declines in BP is an independent risk factor for adverse events among patients with CKD. Future studies are needed to examine whether treating the absence of nighttime declines in BP improves clinical outcomes.

The risk of cardiovascular comorbidity in children with Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with Behcet disease (BD) may experience long term morbidity caused by different forms of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to assess the risk for cardiovascular comorbidity in pediatric BD patients with and without vascular involvement, independent of the contribution of traditional risk factors. METHODS: Pediatric patients classified as BD according to the 2015 International Pediatric BD criteria were included in the study. Twenty-four-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), transthoracic echocardiography, and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) measurements were performed. Patients with an active disease and have other known risk factors for cardiovascular disease were not included in the study. RESULTS: Thirty-one children and adolescents with pediatric BD (16 female, 51.6%; F/M: 1.06) were enrolled in the study. Among all BD patients 10 patients (34.4%) had abnormal ABPM. Carotid IMT values, mean arterial pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure by ABPM and the prevalence of abnormal ABPM, non-dipping, and ambulatory hypertension were similar between patients with and without vascular involvement. The echocardiography measurements showed that BD patients with vascular involvement had significantly higher velocity and velocity time integral of the left ventricle outflow tract which may point out increased stiffness of the aorta. CONCLUSION: Pediatric BD patients with vascular involvement may tend to have more cardiovascular risk factors. However, cardiovascular assessment should be considered in all BD patients regardless of the involved systems. We suggest that ABPM may accurately define hypertension and cardiovascular risk in BD.

Nebulized amphotericin B for preventing exacerbations in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is complicated by exacerbations in more than one-third of the subjects. Whether nebulized amphotericin B (NAB) therapy prevents ABPA exacerbations remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the frequency of subjects remaining exacerbation-free, one year after initiating NAB. The key secondary objectives were the time to first exacerbation and the safety of NAB therapy. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for studies evaluating ≥5 subjects of ABPA managed with NAB. We report the pooled proportion of ABPA subjects remaining exacerbation free after one year. For the randomized controlled trials (RCTs), we estimate the pooled risk difference (RD) of exacerbation-free status at one year with NAB versus the control arm. RESULTS: We included five studies for our analysis; three were observational (n = 28) and two RCTs (n = 160). The pooled proportion (95% confidence interval [CI]) of subjects remaining exacerbation free with NAB at one year was 76% (62-88). The pooled RD (95% CI) of an exacerbation-free status at one year was 0.33 (-0.12 to 0.78) and was not significantly different between the NAB and control arms. The time to first exacerbation was longer with NAB than with the standard therapy. No serious adverse events were reported with NAB. CONCLUSION: NAB does not improve exacerbation-free status at one year; however, weak evidence suggests it delays ABPA exacerbations. More research using different dosing regimens is required.

Masked Hypertension in Healthy Children and Adolescents: Who Should Be Screened?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The goal is to review masked hypertension (MH) as a relatively new phenomenon when patients have normal office BP but elevated out-of-office BP. Firstly, it was described in children in 2004. It has received increased attention in the past decade. RECENT FINDINGS: The prevalence of MH in different pediatric populations differs widely between 0 and 60% based on the population studied, definition of MH, or method of out-of-office BP measurement. The highest prevalence of MH has been demonstrated in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD), obesity, diabetes, and after heart transplantation. In healthy children but with risk factors for hypertension such as prematurity, overweight/obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or positive family history of hypertension, the prevalence of MH is 9%. In healthy children without risk factors for hypertension, the prevalence of MH is very low ranging 0-3%. In healthy children, only patients with the following clinical conditions should be screened for MH: high-normal/elevated office BP, positive family history of hypertension, and those referred for suspected hypertension who have normal office BP in the secondary/tertiary center.

Severe parental phenotype associates with hypertension in children with ADPKD.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of hypertension in children with autosomal polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) may be beneficial, but screening children at risk of ADPKD remains controversial. We investigated determinants of hypertension in children with ADPKD to help identify a subgroup of children at risk of ADPKD for whom screening for the disease and/or its complications would be more relevant. METHODS: In a retrospective study including consecutive children with ADPKD aged 5-18 years and followed at Saint-Luc Hospital Brussels between 2006 and 2020, we investigated the potential association between genotype, clinical characteristics and parental phenotype, and presence of hypertension. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure > P95 during 24-h ambulatory monitoring or anti-hypertensive therapy use. Parental phenotype was considered severe based on age at kidney failure, Mayo Clinic Imaging Classification and rate of eGFR decline. RESULTS: The study enrolled 55 children with ADPKD (mean age 9.9 ± 2.2 years, 45% male), including 44 with a PKD1 mutation and 5 with no mutation identified. Nine (16%) children had hypertension. Hypertension in children was associated with parental phenotype severity (8/27 (30%) children with severe parental phenotype vs. 1/23 (4%) children with non-severe parental phenotype (p = 0.03)) and height-adjusted bilateral nephromegaly (6/9 (67%) children with bilateral nephromegaly vs. 3/44 (7%) children without bilateral nephromegaly (p < 0.001)). CONCLUSIONS: Severe parental phenotype is associated with higher prevalence of hypertension in children with ADPKD. Hence, children of parents with severe ADPKD phenotype may be those who will most benefit from screening of the disease and/or yearly BP measures. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Predictors of kidney complications and analysis of hypertension in children with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine incidence of kidney complications in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. METHODS: Pediatric allogeneic HSCT patients were included. Post-transplantation urinary system complications were collected from medical records and glomerular filtration rates at last visit compared with clinical parameters. Additionally, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed. RESULTS: The study included 165 pediatric patients. Acute kidney injury (AKI) developed in 125 (75.8%) patients of whom 54 (43.2%) had stage 1, 36 (28.8%) stage 2, and 35 (28%) stage 3 AKI. Primary malignant disease and viral infection post-HSCT were associated with increased risk of AKI (OR: 4; 95%CI: 1.2-13, p = 0.022 and OR: 2.9; 95%CI: 1.2-6.8, p = 0.014, respectively). Mean duration of post-HSCT follow-up was 4.4 ± 2.5 years, during which time 8 patients had chronic kidney disease (CKD) (stage 1, 4 patients; stage 2, 3 patients; stage 3, 1 patient). CKD incidence was higher in patients in whom stem cell product was bone marrow + cord blood and mobilized peripheral blood, compared to bone marrow alone (40-37.5% versus 5.1%, p = 0.002). Based on 24-h ABPM, 14.7% and 7.4% of patients with normal office blood pressure had pre-hypertension and hypertension, respectively. In patients with albuminuria/severe albuminuria, daytime and nighttime systolic SDS scores were higher than those without albuminuria/severe albuminuria (p = 0.010 and p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of AKI is higher in pediatric HSCT patients with primary malignant disease and those with documented viral infection. Our study highlights the beneficial role of 24-h ABPM as a routine part of standard care of pediatric HSCT recipients.

Long-term follow-up of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis treated with glucocorticoids: A study of 182 subjects.

BACKGROUND: The long-term outcomes of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) are poorly characterised. METHODS: We retrospectively included treatment-naïve subjects of acute stage ABPA-complicating asthma from three randomised trials. All the subjects received oral prednisolone for 4 months and were monitored every 6 weeks for 6 months and then every 6 months. Our primary objective was to estimate the incidence rate and the frequency of subjects experiencing ABPA exacerbation. The key secondary objectives were to evaluate the factors predicting ABPA exacerbation and the changes in serum total IgE seen during treatment. RESULTS: We included 182 subjects. Eighty-one (44.5%) patients experienced 120 exacerbations during 512 patient-years of follow-up. The incidence rate of ABPA exacerbations was 234/1000 patient-years. Most (73/81, 90.1%) subjects experienced ABPA exacerbation within three years of stopping therapy. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, peripheral blood eosinophil count ≥1000 cells/µL (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.43; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26-4.67), the extent of bronchiectasis (aOR 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.18), age (aOR 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-0.99), and female sex (aOR 2.16; 95% CI, 1.10-4.24) independently predicted ABPA exacerbation after adjusting for serum total IgE and high-attenuation mucus. The best cut-off for serum total IgE after 6 weeks for identifying treatment response and ABPA exacerbations was a 20% decline and a 50% increase, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ABPA exacerbations were common within 3 years of stopping treatment. Age, female sex, peripheral blood eosinophilia and the extent of bronchiectasis predicted ABPA exacerbations. The optimal serum total IgE cut-off for defining ABPA response and exacerbations is a 20% decline and a 50% increase, respectively.

Comparison of office, home and ambulatory blood pressure measurements in hypertensive and suspected hypertensive SWICOS participants.

PURPOSE: Hypertension should be confirmed with the use of home BP measurement (HBPM) or 24h ambulatory BP measurement (ABPM). The aim of our study was to compare measurements obtained by OBPM, HBPM and ABPM in individuals with elevated OBPM participating in the population-based Swiss Longitudinal Cohort Study (SWICOS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants with OBPM ≥140/90 mmHg assessed their BP using HBPM and ABPM. The cut-off for hypertension was ≥135/85 mmHg for HBPM, ≥130/80 mmHg for ABPM. White-coat hypertension (WCH) was defined as normal HPBM and ABPM in participants not taking antihypertensive drugs. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as hypertension in HBPM or ABPM despite antihypertensive treatment. RESULTS: Of 72 hypertensive subjects with office BP ≥140/90 mmHg and valid measurements of HBPM and ABPM, 39 were males (aged 62.8 ± 11.8y), 33 were females (aged 57.4 ± 14.2y). Hypertension was confirmed with HBPM and ABPM in 17 participants (24%), with ABPM only in 24 further participants (33%), and with HBPM only in 2 further participants (3%). Participants who had hypertension according to ABPM but not HBPM were younger (59 ± 11 y versus 67 ± 16 y; p < 0.001) and more frequently still working (83% versus 23%; p < 0.001). The prevalence of WCH was 28%. Among the 32 subjects taking antihypertensive drugs, uncontrolled hypertension was found in 49%. CONCLUSION: This population-based study found a high prevalence of WCH and potential uncontrolled hypertension among individuals with elevated OBPM. This study, therefore, supports the ESH recommendations of complementing OBPM by ABPM or HBPM. The use of HBPM instead of ABPM for the confirmation of hypertension in individuals with elevated OBPM might lead to underdiagnosis and uncontrolled hypertension, in particular in the younger working population. In these individuals, this study suggests using ABPM instead of HBPM.

What is already known?Comparing blood pressure measurements in the doctor's office or clinic (OBPM) with out-of-office measurements (either self-measurement at home (HBPM) or ambulatory over 24 hours during both day and night times (ABPM)) improves the accuracy of hypertension diagnosis.Why was the study done?This study was done to provide additional information by comparing HBPM and ABPM in individuals with elevated OPBMs (≥140/≥90mmHg), who participated in the Swiss Longitudinal Cohort Study (SWICOS)What was found?Our study confirmed differences between office and out-of-office measurements. In 60% of the study participants, ABPM or HBPM confirmed the elevated OBPM but only around half of these participants were treated with antihypertensive drugs. A high proportion of the participants (28%) had white coat hypertension.What does this study add?Our study adds to the literature already available on this issue by reporting on data obtained from a cohort of individuals living in a countryside area of Southern Switzerland.This study also showed that HBPM might underestimate BP in the younger working population.How might this impact on clinical practice?The findings of this population-based study support the European Society of Hypertension recommendations for wider use of out-of-office blood pressure measurement for the confirmation of hypertension in individuals with elevated OBPM to avoid underdiagnosis and uncontrolled hypertension.In the young working population, ABPM should be used instead of only HBPM to confirm hypertension.

Seasonal variation in diurnal blood pressure pattern.

AIMS: To explore the relationship between diurnal blood pressure (BP) pattern and season. METHODS: A total of 6765 eligible patients (average age 57.35 ± 15.53 years; male 51.8%; hypertensives 68.8%) from 1 October 2016 to 6 April 2022 were enrolled, who were divided into four dipper groups, dipper, non-dipper, riser, and extreme-dipper, according to the diurnal BP pattern calculated using their ambulatory BP monitoring data. The season which the patient was in was determined by the time of ambulatory BP monitoring examination. RESULTS: Among the 6765 patients, 2042 (31.18%) were grouped into dipper, 380 (5.6%) into extreme-dipper, 1498 (22.1%) into riser and 2845 (42.1%) into non-dipper. Only the dipper subjects showed age difference among seasons, with the average age significantly lower in winter. There was no seasonal difference in age for the other types. No seasonal difference was revealed in gender, BMI, hypertension or not. Diurnal BP patterns significantly differed among seasons (P < .001). Post hoc tests with Bonferroni correction indicated the significantly different diurnal BP pattern between any two seasons (P < .001), but not between spring and autumn (P = .257), and the significance of the P value was assessed at 0.008 (0.05/6) after Bonferroni correction. Multinomial logistic regression suggested season as an independent contributor to diurnal BP pattern. CONCLUSION: Diurnal BP pattern is influenced by season.

Vortex Formation Time is a Novel Measure for Early Detection of Diastolic Abnormalities in Adolescents with Hypertension.

Pediatric hypertension (HTN) has demonstrated an upward trend in recent years. Adolescent HTN has been linked to adult HTN, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions. Thus, it is essential that HTN and its associated cardiac abnormalities be diagnosed and treated early to minimize lifelong adverse effects. In this study, we evaluated whether vortex formation time (VFT), a validated echocardiogram measure of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, correlated with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and HTN in adolescents. Echocardiogram data including systolic and diastolic function indices and ABPM data from 2015 to 2022 in adolescents age 13-21 years were analyzed retrospectively. We found that VFT was significantly lower in adolescents with HTN compared to those without HTN (3.69 ± 1.39 vs. 4.50 ± 1.73, p = 0.02). Standard echocardiographic indices of systolic and diastolic function were similar between the two groups, except indexed left atrial volume. Higher overall systolic blood pressure (SBP) (ß = - 0.01, CI - 0.02, - 2.2 × 10-3, p = 0.02), mean wake SBP (ß = - 0.01, CI - 0.02, - 9.4 × 10-4, p = 0.03), and mean sleep SBP (ß = - 0.01, CI - 0.02, - 1.2 × 10-3, p = 0.03) were significantly associated with lower VFT. This study demonstrates that VFT correlates to ABPM data and can be used a novel diagnostic measure in adolescents with HTN.

Preliminary Study on the Effect of a Night Shift on Blood Pressure and Clock Gene Expression.

Night shift work has been found to be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. One of the underlying mechanisms seems to be that shift work promotes hypertension, but results have been variable. This cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of internists with the aim of performing a paired analysis of 24 h blood pressure in the same physicians working a day shift and then a night shift, and a paired analysis of clock gene expression after a night of rest and a night of work. Each participant wore an ambulatory blood pressure monitor (ABPM) twice. The first time was for a 24 h period that included a 12 h day shift (08.00-20.00) and a night of rest. The second time was for a 30 h period that included a day of rest, a night shift (20.00-08.00), and a subsequent period of rest (08.00-14.00). Subjects underwent fasting blood sampling twice: after the night of rest and after the night shift. Night shift work significantly increased night systolic blood pressure (SBP), night diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR) and decreased their respective nocturnal decline. Clock gene expression increased after the night shift. There was a direct association between night blood pressure and clock gene expression. Night shifts lead to an increase in blood pressure, non-dipping status, and circadian rhythm misalignment. Blood pressure is associated with clock genes and circadian rhythm misalignement.

Ambulatory central BP and arterial stiffness in patients with and without intradialytic hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Increased arterial stiffness is suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of intradialytic-hypertension (IDH). Ambulatory pulse-wave-velocity (PWV) is an independent predictor for all-cause-mortality in haemodialysis and its prognostic power is better than office PWV. This is the first study examining ambulatory central blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness parameters in patients with and without IDH. METHODS: This study examined 45 patients with IDH (SBP rise ≥10 mmHg from pre- to post-dialysis and post-dialysis SBP ≥150 mmHg) in comparison with 197 patients without IDH. All participants underwent 48-h ABPM with Mobil-O-Graph-NG; parameters of central haemodynamics, wave reflection and PWV were estimated. RESULTS: Age, dialysis vintage and interdialytic weight gain did not differ between-groups. IDH patients had higher 48-h cSBP (131.7 ± 16.2 vs. 119.2 ± 15.2 mmHg, p < 0.001), 48-h cDBP (86.7 ± 12.7 vs. 79.6 ± 11.5 mmHg, p < 0.001) and 48-h cPP (45.5 ± 10.4 vs. 39.8 ± 10.0 mmHg, p = 0.001) compared to patients without IDH. Similarly, during day- and nighttime periods, cSBP/cDBP and cPP levels were higher in IDH-patients compared to non-IDH. Forty-eight-hour augmentation pressure and index, but not AIx(75) were higher in IDH patients; 48-h PWV (10.0 ± 2.0 vs. 9.2 ± 2.1 m/s, p = 0.017) was significantly higher in patients with IDH. The two study groups displayed different trajectories in central BP and PWV over the course of the recording; IDH patients had steadily high values of the above variables during the 2 days of the interdialytic-interval, whereas non-IDH patients showed a gradual elevation, with significant increases from the 1st to 2nd 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: IDH patients have significantly higher levels of ambulatory central BP and arterial stiffness parameters and a different course over the 48-h period compared with non-IDH patients. Increased arterial stiffness could be a prominent factor associated with the high burden of cardiovascular disease in this population.