Hypertension

ABPM should be used in resistant hypertension

Nov 26, 2008 13:00 EST

In the largest study of its kind to date, Brazilian researchers have shown that ambulatory BP monitoring is a predictor of future cardiovascular events in patients with resistant hypertension, but office BP is not. (Salles GF et al. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:2340-2346.)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - In the largest study of its kind to date, Brazilian researchers have shown that continually monitoring blood pressure (BP)—called ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM)—is a predictor of future cardiovascular events in patients with resistant hypertension, but office BP is not [1]. Dr Gil F Salles (University Hospital Clementino Fraga Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and colleagues report their findings in the November 24, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Read full article »

(Salles GF et al. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168:2340-2346.)

Inside: Hypertension

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Hypertension

First response: Improving outcomes - is it all about blood pressure?

2 COMMENTS - Jul 25, 2008 11:00 EDT

First hand reports from the joint meeting in Berlin of European Society of Hypertension/ International Society of Hypertension

Hypertension

The weight of evidence mounts for ARBs

10 COMMENTS - Jun 30, 2008 16:20 EDT

New trials and more data suggest a more established role for ARBs

Hypertension

A First Response: ARBs on Center Stage

Oct 1, 2008 13:15 EDT

Data on ARBs continue to impress. Stay informed on the implications of late-breaking trial data from the 2008 ESC meeting with interviews conducted by Dr Weber with Drs Pfeffer, McMurray, Swedberg, and Agabati-Rosei.

Hypertension

Is Aggressive Blood Pressure Lowering Needed in Stage I Hypertension?

6 COMMENTS - Sep 30, 2008 10:16 EDT

Join Drs Weber and Izzo as they take a hard look at stage I hypertensive patients and answer the question: Is lower better?

Hypertension

A focus on nitric oxide

19 COMMENTS - May 30, 2008 11:16 EDT

Hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure: are they all at the mercy of nitric oxide? Join Drs Weber, Cohn, Mason and Cockcroft in a discussion on the role nitric oxide plays in vascular health.

Hypertension

Managing hypertension Combination therapy: The new first line?

Dec 19, 2007 15:40 EST

Clinicians are exploring a new and compelling role for combination therapy in hard-to-treat hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Hypertension

The Cardiorenal Connection Role of Microalbuminuria (MAU) in Cardiovascular Risk Stratification

3 COMMENTS - Dec 19, 2007 15:35 EST

The assessment of microalbuminuria (MAU) is an important prognostic indicator for CVD and renal damage and should be an element in an overall cardiometabolic fitness approach.

Clinical cardiology

Generic drugs in CVD: Just as effective as brand-name pills

5 COMMENTS - Dec 2, 2008 16:00 EST

Twenty years of research show that generic CVD drugs across nine classes are just as good as brand-name agents, yet editorials often boost superiority of brand-name agents. (Kesselheim AS et al. JAMA 2008; 300:2514-2526.)

Lipid/Metabolic

New research reveals how binge drinking could drive atherosclerosis

Dec 2, 2008 13:30 EST

It's not just the amount of alcohol is drunk, but the way that it is drunk that is important when it comes to cardiovascular health. New research suggests a precise mechanism by which binge drinking might contribute to atherosclerosis. (Redmond EM et al. Atherosclerosis; published online before print October 18, 2008.)

MediaPulse

New York Times looks back at minimal impact of massive ALLHAT trial

10 COMMENTS - Nov 28, 2008 15:30 EST

Six years after the 44 000-patient trial was reported, use of generic diuretics never reached the levels that investigators expected. Reasons include patents ending, new drugs emerging, and the advent of combination pills, but also the millions of dollars spent by companies making brand-name antihypertensives.

Hypertension

Off-target toxicity of torcetrapib explained, but questions about future of CETP inhibition linger

Nov 27, 2008 17:00 EST

Two new studies published online this week help shed light on the off-target toxicity of the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib, but the studies conflict regarding the atheroprotective functionality of the HDL cholesterol resulting with the drug. (Vergeer M et al. Nicholls SJ et al. Circulation; published online before print November 25, 2008.)

Heart failure

An emerging picture of heart failure in Africa

Nov 24, 2008 16:00 EST

One of the largest and most comprehensive studies of heart failure to date in Africa has shown that the disease is a big problem and that although the traditional causes of HF—which differ from those seen in Western nations—still predominate, there are signs that the range of etiologies is broadening (Stewart S et al. Circulation 2008; published online before print November 24, 2008.)

Clinical cardiology

Change in heart rate over time predicts mortality

Nov 21, 2008 13:00 EST

The first study to ever assess the prognostic value of a change in heart rate over a number of years has found that increasing HR over time can increase mortality, by around 20%. Conversely, a decline in HR was accompanied by reduced rate of death over the five-year study period. (Jouven et al. Am J Cardiol; published online before print November 7, 2008.)

Hypertension

LVEF data refine ALLHAT message to favor diuretic as HTN monotherapy

3 COMMENTS - Nov 21, 2008 10:15 EST

Chlorthalidone and lisinopril as initial antihypertensive agents were about equally effective at reducing the risk of new systolic heart failure, an analysis suggests; the thiazide was superior at preventing heart failure with preserved EF. (Davis BR et al. Circulation; published online before print November 10, 2008.)

Prevention

Cardiovascular effects of air pollution, even in the comfort of home

Nov 14, 2008 16:45 EST

Researchers who fitted study subjects with "air-pollution vests" to continuously monitor exposure to both indoor and outdoor air pollutants say that people are probably exposed to much higher levels of pollutants than community monitoring stations typically indicate and that this exposure affects both endothelial function and systolic blood pressure. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Interventional/Surgery

New meta-analysis of beta blockers in noncardiac surgery: Time to abandon their use, or not?

3 COMMENTS - Nov 12, 2008 14:00 EST

The use of beta blockers perioperatively to prevent cardiovascular events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery is not justified by current evidence, according to the authors of a new meta-analysis. An update to the guidelines on this issue is under way, says one member of the writing committee, who incidentally does not agree with this overall conclusion. (Bangalore S et al. Lancet; published online before print November 12, 2008. American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Heart failure

I-PRESERVE: Strike three for RAAS inhibition in preserved-LVEF heart failure

7 COMMENTS - Nov 12, 2008 10:45 EST

Four years of treatment with irbesartan, usually on top of other drugs that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, didn't improve outcomes in patients with the common but poorly understood form of heart failure. The trial follows previous negative studies of an ACE inhibitor and a different angiotensin-receptor blocker, respectively, in similar populations. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Hypertension

Hibiscus tea reduces blood pressure

7 COMMENTS - Nov 11, 2008 13:30 EST

Results of a small randomized trial show that hibiscus tea given three times daily reduced systolic blood pressure by about 7 mm Hg in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive subjects. (American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions.)

Prevention

Eliminating inequalities in CHD: Focus on classic risk factors

Nov 6, 2008 18:30 EST

Focusing on the classic risk factors for coronary heart disease and ensuring that best-practice interventions to reduce absolute risk are implemented across the board could largely eliminate socioeconomic differences in CHD deaths, a new British study predicts (Kivimäki M et al. Lancet 2008; 372:1648-1654.)

Acute Coronary Syndrome

New ranolazine indication in US allows first-line use in angina

4 COMMENTS - Nov 6, 2008 17:45 EST

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