Search

Introduction: Rat endovascular trophoblasts (EVasT) express smooth muscle (SM) proteins and contract ex vivo upon exposure to endothelin-1 (ET1) via receptors A and B (ETA, ETB). Presently, we investigated the EVasT response to NOS inhibition (N-Nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride, l-NAME), and potentiation by NO donor [S-Nitroso-N-Acetyl-D,l-Penicillamine (SNAP)] following KCl precontraction. M&M: Luminal surface area (LSA) of remodeled spiral artery rings (SAR) devoid of SM was measured ex vivo upon exposure to l-NAME alone; l-NAME and ET1 representing the combined contractile effect of both ET1 receptors; l-NAME with ET1 and ETA antagonist, representing the isolated contractile effect via ETB. In another experiment we administered SNAP to KCl precontracted SAR. Statistical analysis was performed using 2-way mixed ANOVA and repeated measures.Results: l-NAME reduced LSA by 2.22%, 95% CI [0.83%, 3.60%] compared with control. ET1 and l-NAME reduced LSA immediately, compared with a plateau at 60min by ET1 alone. The isolated ET1 constrictive effect via ETB, reduced LSA by 5.94%; 95% CI [3.47%, 8.41%], significantly more than that obtained via ETA following 36 min of the experiment by 0.88%; 95%CI [0.09%, 1.67%]. Addition of KCl reduced LSA by 11.9%, 95% CI [9.6%, 14.1%]. Addition of SNAP increased LSA by 3.0%, 95% CI [1.7%, 4.3%].Conclusions: EVasT of the rat remodeled spiral artery react to ET1 and KCl similar to vascular SM: contract via both ET1 receptors and KCl and relax by ET1 via ETB and by SNAP. This phenomenon may play a role in rat models of gestational vasoactive systems dysregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular events are clustered in the morning hours, after increases in blood pressure and heart rate that accompany awakening and arising. Similar hemodynamic changes occur during the night after nocturnal awakening and getting up. Such changes are common among older patients who have nocturia frequently and rise to urinate. We tested the hypothesis that nocturia may be associated with increased mortality in a population sample of 456 subjects born from 1920 to 1921, examined in 1990, and followed for total mortality until 2002. At baseline, they were questioned about nocturia (≥2 times at night) as part of a detailed questionnaire and examination. Twelve-year survival was significantly lower (61% vs 72%, p = 0.0206) among subjects reporting nocturia (n = 160, 64% men) compared with those without nocturia (n = 296, 50% men). After accounting for numerous confounders, a proportional hazard model determined the mortality hazard ratio (HR) for nocturia alone to be 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55 to 1.43). The interaction between nocturia and previous coronary heart disease (CHD) was highly significant (p <0.0001), with an interaction variable HR of 2.16 (95% CI 1.01 to 4.61). Survival of patients who had CHD with nocturia (n = 54) versus those without nocturia (n = 65) was 44% versus 66% (p = 0.0201). Among patients with CHD, the mortality HR for nocturia was 2.11 (95% CI 1.16 to 4.00). In conclusion, nocturia is a significant independent predictor of mortality among 70-year-old patients with known CHD and thus warrants special attention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective To determine the association between hypertension at age 90 years, treatment, and 5-year mortality. Design A prospective observational study of a representative community-dwelling birth cohort (born 1920–1921) by the Jerusalem Longitudinal Study (1990–2015). Setting Home-assessment. Participants 480 subjects aged 90, examined 2010–2011. Measurements and Main Outcome: Hypertension was defined as treatment with antihypertensive medication, and/or sitting blood pressure (BP) > 140 mmHg systolic or >90 mmHg diastolic. Subjects were categorized as normotensive (NORMO), untreated hypertensive (NonTx-HTN), and treated hypertensive (Tx-HTN); assessment included activities of daily living (ADL), handgrip strength, and all-cause mortality (2010–2015). Results NORMO, NonTx-HTN, and Tx-HTN prevalence was 12.3% (59/480), 12.7% (61/480), and 75% (360/480). Tx-HTN had higher rates of low education, depression, low physical activity, chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease. Five-year survival was lowest among Tx-HTN and highest among NonTx-HTN versus NORMO among all subjects (51%, 72%, 61%; P = .01), and subgroups with ADL independence (64%, 91%, 74%; n = 265, P = .01), ADL dependence (37%, 55%, 48%; n = 194, P = .36), high grip strength (66%, 85%, 83%; n = 227, P = .04), low grip strength (38%, 60%, 61%; n = 149, P = .06), low comorbidity (64%, 84%, 70%; n = 219, P = .13), and high comorbidity (42%, 60%, 54%; n = 257, P = .12). Unadjusted mortality hazards ratios (HR) were higher for Tx-HTN [HR 1.38; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89–2.15] versus NonTx-HTN (HR 0.7; 95% CI 0.37–1.31) compared to NORMO (HR 1.0). After adjusting for medical and functional covariates, adjusted HRs were higher for Tx-HTN (HR 1.39; 95% CI 0.83–2.33) versus NonTx-HTN (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.31–1.45) compared to NORMO (HR 1.0). Findings were consistent in subsets according to ADL status, grip strength, and comorbidity. Conclusions Untreated hypertension at age 90 years was not associated with increased mortality risk among community-dwelling elderly, irrespective of comorbidity, functional status, or muscle strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the degree of morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) and its relationship with markers of cardiovascular alterations in untreated middle-aged hypertensives. We studied 241 patients (mean age, 36.6 ± 10.7 years). Subjects with higher sleep-through MBPS (st-MBPS) were older ( P = .003), had higher carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) ( P = .05) and lower E/A ratio ( P = .01) than those with lower MBPS. Subjects with higher prewakening MBPS (pw-MBPS) had significantly higher deceleration time ( P = .01) compared with those with lower pw-MBPS. St-MBPS correlated significantly with age, cIMT values, 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP, and systolic BP night-time fall. The significant correlations between pw-MBPS and cIMT values, deceleration time, 24-hour diastolic BP and systolic BP night-time fall were observed. A relationship between MBPS and cardiovascular alterations was observed both in dippers and nondippers, although in non-dippers, it was less pronounced. The results may imply a possible link between MBPS and markers of cardiovascular alterations in untreated hypertensive subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: White-coat hypertension and masked hypertension have clinical and prognostic consequences. However, reproducibility of these phenomena is unknown. We examined the reproducibility of the white-coat and masking effects with real-life ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Methods: In a retrospective analysis of a prospectively assembled ABPM database there were 196 subjects (age 58±16 years, 59% female, 73% treated for hypertension) who underwent repeat ABPM for standard clinical indications. White-coat hypertension (or isolated manual uncontrolled hypertension) was defined as normal (<135/85 mmHg) awake blood pressure (BP) and abnormal (≥140/90 mmHg) manual BP. Masked hypertension (or isolated ambulatory uncontrolled hypertension) was defined as abnormal awake BP with normal manual BP. Results: Treated and untreated subjects had similar distribution among hypertension subgroups; 16% white-coat hypertension (in treated subjects, isolated manual uncontrolled hypertension), 13% masked hypertension (in treated subjects, isolated ambulatory uncontrolled hypertension), 59% uncontrolled hypertension, 12% normal blood pressure (or controlled hypertension). In the second session the prevalence of white-coat and masked hypertension increased. Of 31 subjects with white-coat hypertension in the first session 19 (61%) remained ambulatory normotensive in the second session, while 18 of 25 (72%) masked hypertensive subjects remained ambulatory hypertensive. The reproducibility of the systolic manual–awake blood pressure difference was not inferior to that of other ambulatory variables. In untreated subjects the reproducibility of white-coat hypertension, masked hypertension and the white-coat effect was even better. Conclusion: In a real-life ABPM database, we found white-coat hypertension and the masking phenomenon to be reasonably reproducible, as compared to other BP variables. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: Hypertension is among the most common chronic complaints of older people. Among very old people with common co morbidities, it remains uncertain whether the benefits of long-term treatment seen among younger people, are also observed. Our objective was to assess the relationship of blood pressure (BP) at age 85 with 5-year all-cause mortality. Design: A longitudinal prospective cohort study, of an age-homogenous, representative sample born 1920–1921. Setting: Community-based home assessments. Participants: West Jerusalem residents (1159) born 1920–1921, all aged age 85 during 2005–2006, currently enrolled in the Jerusalem Longitudinal Study. Intervention: None. Measurements: Comprehensive geriatric assessment of numerous health variables. BP was determined as the average of 6 measurements, from 2 separate home visits. Hypertension (HTN) defined as either treatment with antihypertensive medications, or blood pressure >140 mm Hg systolic, or >90 mm Hg. The study outcome was all-cause 5-year mortality. Mortality data were collected from the National Ministry of Interior. Results: One hundred and nine (9.4%) were normotensive, 152 (13.1%) untreated, and 898 (77.5%) treated hypertensives. Treatment rate was 78%, and controlled hypertension rate 38%. During 5 years 328 (28.3%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log rank analysis showed no difference in mortality between normotensive, untreated and treated hypertensive subjects according to sex. Treated subjects with controlled Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) had lowest survival rate of 67%, P = .029. Continuous SBP yielded a hazard ratio (HR) for mortality of 1.00, (95% CI 0.95–1.01), after adjusting in Cox proportional hazard models for sex, heart failure, physical activity, self-rated health, diabetes, coronary and cerebrovascular diseases, smoking and antihypertensive therapy. Results were unaffected after excluding 114 deaths within the first 2-years of follow-up. Similar results were found when examining BP either as a dichotomous variable, according to treatment, or pulse pressure. Conclusions: Raised SBP was not associated with increased 5-year mortality among a representative cohort of community-dwelling 85-year-olds. Indeed, before adjustment for co morbidities, subjects with controlled SBP tended to have a worse survival. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]