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Background and objective: Erectile dysfunction, which is common in men with hypertension, has been reported as a common adverse effect of many antihypertensive drug classes, including β-blockers and diuretics. Atenolol and nebivolol are both β1-selective blockers, but nebivolol is a new-generation compound with nitric oxide-mediated vasodilating activity. The aim of the study was to compare the effects of nebivolol and atenolol ± chlorthalidone on the sexual function of hypertensive men. Methods: A total of 131 male patients (mean age 47.3 ± 4.6 years) with newly diagnosed hypertension were included in the study. All the patients were married and had not previously experienced any erectile dysfunction. After a 4-week placebo run-in period, patients were randomised to receive 12 weeks’ therapy with nebivolol 5 mg/day (n = 43), atenolol 50 mg/day (n = 44), or atenolol 50 mg/day + chlorthalidone 12.5 mg/day (n = 44), according to a double-blind design. After 4 weeks of treatment, drug dosage could be doubled in patients not responding to therapy. Erectile function (instances of successful intercourse/month) was assessed by means of a questionnaire at the end of the placebo run-in period (baseline) and at the end of double-blind treatment. Blood pressure was also assessed at these times. Results: At the end of the 12-week, double-blind treatment period, the mean number of episodes of satisfactory sexual intercourse per month was significantly decreased from baseline in the groups receiving atenolol (from 7.0 to 3.7; p < 0.01) and atenolol + chlorthalidone (from 6.4 to 2.8; p < 0.01). In contrast, the mean number of episodes of satisfactory sexual intercourse per month remained constant in the group of patients receiving nebivolol (6.4 during the baseline assessment and 6.0 during the last month of treatment). Blood pressure and heart rate were significantly decreased from baseline in all treatment groups. Conclusion: Increased release of nitric oxide associated with nebivolol may counteract the detrimental effect of β-blockade on penile erection, thereby allowing maintenance of sexual activity in previously untreated hypertensive men compared with a significant decrease observed in the sexual activity of men receiving atenolol-based treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the past decade, many studies have indicated that the combination of low doses of different classes of antihypertensive agents may be more efficacious than monotherapy while minimizing the likelihood of dose-dependent adverse effects (AEs).Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether combination therapy with lower doses of candesartan and a calcium antagonist, felodipine, would be more effective and tolerable in controlling mild to moderate hypertension compared with either drug used alone.Methods: In this 18-week, single-center, double-blind, crossover study, patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were randomized to 1 of 2 treatment groups after a 2-week placebo washout period. Patients in group 1 received candesartan 16 mg once daily and patients in group 2 received felodipine 5 mg once daily, for 6 weeks. All patients then received half-dose combination therapy (candesartan 8 mg plus felodipine 2.5 mg, once daily) for 6 weeks. Finally, patients received 6 weeks of monotherapy with the alternate medication (group 1 received felodipine 5 mg once daily and group 2 received candesartan 16 mg once daily).Results: Thirty patients (18 men, 12 women; mean [SD] age, 54.0 [4.9] years; range, 39–62 years) were included in the study. During both monotherapy periods, candesartan and felodipine significantly reduced blood pressure (BP) (both P<0.001). BP further decreased with combination therapy (P<0.001 in both groups). Overall, 90.0% (27/30) of the patients achieved the target BP at the end of combination therapy. The incidence of AEs was similar with combination therapy compared with either monotherapy.Conclusions: In this study population, candesartan and felodipine had additive effects when used in combination, even at low doses, in the treatment of hypertension. Therefore, the combination of candesartan and felodipine is an effective alternative to that of candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is well documented. However, few studies have been conducted on the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with isolated systolic hypertension without LVH.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with systolic hypertension without LVH and (2) estimate the effect of a perindopril/indapamide combination, which does not have an antiarrhythmic effect, on the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias.Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed isolated systolic hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] >160 mm Hg) and a control group of normotensive patients were enrolled. During the 2-week washout period, patients underwent physical examination (including blood pressure measurements), ambulatory electrocardiography monitoring, echocardiography, and laboratory urine and blood tests. Absence of LVH was confirmed by echocardiographic examination. The group of hypertensive patients received 1 tablet of 2 mg perindopril/0.625 mg indapamide per day for a total of 4 weeks. Physical examinations and ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring were repeated after treatment.Results: A total of 60 hypertensive (mean age, 63.1 years; mean SBP, 176.8 ± 3.1 mm Hg; mean diastolic blood pressure, 82.6 ± 2.9 mm Hg) and 60 normotensive patients were enrolled. Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring indicated that 18 of the 60 hypertensive patients (30%) had ventricular arrhythmias: 17 had ventricular premature contractions (>100/24 h) and 1 had ventricular tachycardia plus ventricular premature contractions. In the control group, 7 of 60 subjects (11.7%) had ventricular premature contractions. The difference between the 2 groups in incidence of ventricular arrhythmias was significant (P < 0.01). After treatment, mean SBP decreased to 136.1 ± 3.2 mm Hg, and ventricular premature contractions were found in 9 of 60 hypertensive patients (15%) (P < 0.02 vs pretreatment).Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that in patients with isolated systolic hypertension without LVH, (1) the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmia is higher than in normotensive patients and (2) treatment with perindopril/indapamide decreases the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Pulmonary hypertension guidelines recommend invasive right heart catheterization for diagnosis and clinical follow-up. Our aim was to compare non-invasive impedance cardiography with invasive techniques for cardiac index measurements and mortality prediction in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Methods: Between 2008 and 2018, 284 right heart catheterizations were performed for the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in 215 patients with mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mm Hg, and at least 2 methods used for cardiac output measurement were included in the study retrospectively. Patients were evaluated with Pearson’s correlation in 3 groups: estimated Fick (eFick) method and thermodilution (group 1), eFick method and impedance cardiography (group 2), and thermodilution and impedance cardiography (group 3). We also compared the predictive power of cardiac index measured by different methods for 1-year overall mortality and hospitalizations. Results: There were strong and moderate positive correlations in groups 1 and 3, respectively (r=0.634, P < .001, r=0.534, P=.001), and the weakest correlation was in group 2 (r=0.390, P=.001). The mean difference (bias) between eFick method versus impedance cardiography, impedance cardiography vs. thermodilution, and eFick method vs. thermodilution was 0.6 mL/min, 0.47 mL/min, and −0.2 mL/min respectively, but limits of agreement were wide. In both groups, cardiac index <2.5 L/min/m² as measured by thermodilution significantly predicted 1-year mortality. Also, impedance cardiography was better than eFick method in predicting mortality (P=.02). Conclusions: Our single-center real-life data showed that for cardiac output and cardiac index measurements, impedance cardiography provides a moderate correlation with thermodilution and is fair with eFick method methods. Moreover, thermodilution appeared superior to both eFick method and impedance cardiography, while impedance cardiography was even better than eFick method in predicting 1-year adverse events, including total mortality and hospitalization, in patients with pulmonary hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and adult cardiology practice patterns for PH in our country. Methods: We evaluated preliminary survey data of 1501 patients with PH (females, 69%; age, 44.8±5.45) from 20 adult cardiology centers (AdCCs). Results: The average experience of AdCCs in diagnosing and treating patients with PH was 8.5±3.7 years. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) was the most frequent group (69%) followed by group 4 PH (19%), group 3 PH (8%), and combined pre- and post-capillary PH (4%). PAH associated with congenital heart disease (APAH-CHD) was the most frequent subgroup (47%) of PAH. Most of the patients' functional class (FC) at the time of diagnosis was III. The right heart catheterization (RHC) rate was 11.9±11.6 per month. Most frequently used vasoreactivity agent was intravenous adenosine (60%). All patients under targeted treatments were periodically for FC, six-minute walking test, and echo measures at 3-month intervals. AdCCs repeated RHC in case of clinical worsening (CW). The annual rate of hospitalization was 14.9±19.5. In-hospital use of intravenous iloprost reported from 16 AdCCs in CWs. Bosentan and ambrisentan, as monotreatment or combination treatment (CT), were noted in 845 and 28 patients, respectively, and inhaled iloprost, subcutaneous treprostinil, and intravenous epoprostenol were noted in 283, 30, and four patients, respectively. Bosentan was the first agent used for CT in all AdCCs and iloprost was the second. Routine use of antiaggregant, anticoagulant, and pneumococcal and influenza prophylaxis were restricted in only two AdCCs. Conclusion: Our nationwide data illustrate the current status of PH regarding clinical characteristics and practice patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute heart failure syndrome is a heterogeneous group, which requires distinct therapeutic approaches. Diuretics and/or vasodilators for patients with high blood pressure and inotropic agents for patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction and evidence of hypoperfusion are kept in the forefront. Early initiation of therapy along with accurate and early diagnosis in acute heart failure reduces mortality and morbidity significantly. Therefore, it is critically important to develop algorithms, which could easily be followed by all physicians. In this paper, in parallelism with heart failure guidelines and utilizing data of the clinical studies, performed by colleagues of our country in this area, therapeutic algorithms compatible with the conditions of our country are suggested for distinct clinical presentations of acute heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]