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Objective Real-life management of patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among European Society of Hypertension Excellence Centres (ESH-ECs) is unclear : we aimed to investigate it. Methods A survey was conducted in 2023. The questionnaire contained 64 questions asking ESH-ECs representatives to estimate how patients with CKD are managed. Results Overall, 88 ESH-ECS representatives from 27 countries participated. According to the responders, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, calcium-channel blockers and thiazides were often added when these medications were lacking in CKD patients, but physicians were more prone to initiate RAS blockers (90% [interquartile range: 70–95%]) than MRA (20% [10–30%]), SGLT2i (30% [20–50%]) or (GLP1-RA (10% [5–15%]). Despite treatment optimisation, 30% of responders indicated that hypertension remained uncontrolled (30% (15–40%) vs 18% [10%–25%]) in CKD and CKD patients, respectively). Hyperkalemia was the most frequent barrier to initiate RAS blockers, and dosage reduction was considered in 45% of responders when kalaemia was 5.5–5.9 mmol/L. Conclusions RAS blockers are initiated in most ESH-ECS in CKD patients, but MRA and SGLT2i initiations are less frequent. Hyperkalemia was the main barrier for initiation or adequate dosing of RAS blockade, and RAS blockers’ dosage reduction was the usual management.

A high cholesterol level in the blood is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and its related conditions such as heart attack and stroke. The treatment of hypercholesterolemia aims to lower the elevated concentration of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. This therapy relies on lifestyle changes and the use of medications. In Switzerland, treatment options now include not only statins and the cholesterol absorption inhibitor Ezetimibe, but also Bempedoic acid, the two proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors Evolocumab and Alirocumab, and the small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA)-based drug Inclisiran. Zusammenfassung Ein zu hoher Cholesterinspiegel im Blut ist mit einem höheren Risiko für Arteriosklerose und seine Folgeerkrankungen wie Herzinfarkt und Hirnschlag verbunden. Die Behandlung der Hypercholesterinämie zielt darauf ab, die erhöhte Konzentration des Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)-Cholesterins im Blut zu senken. Dabei stützt sich die Therapie auf eine Änderung des Lebensstils und den Einsatz von Medikamenten. Hier stehen in der Schweiz ‒ neben Statinen und dem Cholesterinabsorptionshemmer Ezetimibe ‒ mittlerweile auch Bempedoinsäure, die beiden Proprotein-Convertase-Subtilisin/Kexin vom Typ 9 (PCSK9)-Inhibitoren Evolocumab und Alirocumab sowie der small interfering Ribonukleinsäure (siRNA)-basierte Wirkstoff Inclisiran zur Verfügung. PEER REVIEWED ARTICLE Peer Reviewers: Dr. Christoph Auf der Maur, Kardiologie Auf der Maur. Luzern, Switzerland One anonymous peer reviewer Received: January 23, 2024; accepted after peer review: June 20, 2024.

Abstract Aims Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a metabolically highly active tissue modulating numerous pathophysiological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between EAT thickness and endothelial function in patients with heart failure (HF) across the entire ejection fraction spectrum. Methods and results A total of 258 patients with HF with an ejection fraction across the entire spectrum [HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), n = 168, age 60.6 ± 11.2 years; HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), n = 50, mean age 65.1 ± 11.9 years; HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF), n = 32, mean age 65 ± 12] were included. EAT was measured with transthoracic echocardiography. Vascular function was assessed with flicker‐light‐induced vasodilation of retinal arterioles (FIDart%) and flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD%) in conduit arteries. Patients with HFrEF have less EAT compared with patients with HFpEF (4.2 ± 2 vs. 5.3 ± 2 mm, respectively, P

Aims: The HEYMANS study observed patients receiving evolocumab as part of routine clinical hyperlipidemia management. It was designed to capture data on clinical parameters relevant to health authorities and physicians. Methods: This was a European multi-country observational cohort serial chart review study; data on the Swiss cohort are reported here. Patients were prescribed evolocumab as per the Swiss reimbursement criteria in force at the time and were invited chronologically. The study consisted of a 6-month period prior to initiation of evolocumab, a 12-month core observation period (entered by 75 patients, completed by 74 patients), and an 18-month extended observation period (entered by 40 patients, completed by 34 patients). The primary objective was to describe the clinical characteristics of patients receiving evolocumab. Secondary objectives included to describe lipid levels, evolocumab use, and patterns of use of other lipid-lowering therapies (LLT, that is, statins and/or ezetimibe) over time. The study was conducted in the Swiss cohort between May 2017 and June 2021. Results: Patients who received evolocumab in Swiss routine practice mostly were in secondary prevention (93%) and had a history of statin intolerance (85%) with 53% receiving no background LLT. One-third had familial hypercholesterolemia. Patients initiated evolocumab at a median low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of 3.6 mmol/L, which decreased by 54% within 3 months to 1.6 mmol/L and was stable thereafter. Overall, 61% achieved the LDL-C goal of 50% within 3 months and LDL-C reductions were maintained over time. Guideline-recommended LDL-C goals for this very high-risk cohort were more frequently attained in patients receiving a combination of statin and/or ezetimibe and evolocumab. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02770131.

AIMS: Many cardiovascular events occur in seemingly healthy individuals.We set out to assess the predictive value of atherosclerosis imaging in combination with cardiovascular risk calculators in subjects aged 40–65 years. METHODS: We compared PROCAM (PROspective CArdiovascular Münster study), SCORE (Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation) and SCORE2 with carotid ultrasound (total plaque area, TPA) in subjects without cardiovascular disease. In this prospective cohort study, follow-up was obtained by phone or mail from patients; or from clinical records, if needed. RESULTS: In 2842 subjects (mean age 50±8 years; 38% women), cardiovascular events occurred in 154 (5.4%) of them over an mean follow-up period of 5.9 (range 1–12) years, specifically: 41 cases of AMI (myocardial infarction), 16 strokes, 21 CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting), 41 PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) and 35 CAD (coronary artery disease). Mean PROCAM risk was 5±6%, mean SCORE risk was 1.3±1.6% and mean SCORE2 risk was 5±3%. Both for the primary outcome (major adverse cardiovascular events, MACEs, i.e. AMI + strokes) and the secondary outcome (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, ASCVD, i.e. MACEs + CABG + CAD + PTCA), hazards increased significantly for TPA tertiles and SCORE2 post-test risk between 6.7 to 12.8 after adjustment for risk factors (age, smoke, sex, systolic blood pressure, lipids, medication) and after adjustment for results from PROCAM, SCORE and SCORE2. Model performance was statistically improved regarding model fit in all models using TPA. Net reclassification improvement for SCORE2 with TPA post-test risk increased significantly by 24% for MACEs (p = 0.01) and 39% for ASCVD (p

In secondary hypertension, elevated blood pressure is caused by a known and/or potentially treatable underlying disease. Although the prevalence of secondary hypertension depends on the patient population and the thoroughness of applied diagnostic approaches, arterial hypertension is classified in 90 to 95% as primary in nature. In young patients, individuals without a family history of hypertension, late onset of hypertension or worsening of a previous well-controlled hypertension as well as in patients who have a difficult to treat hypertension, the prevalence of secondary hypertension is significantly higher. Because the identification and the specific therapy of secondary hypertension may result in normalisation or improvement of elevated blood pressure in many cases, a targeted diagnostics is of great importance.

Abstract Aims Cardiac involvement in systemic amyloidosis is a marker of particularly poor prognosis. Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is characterized by extracellular amyloid deposits inducing heart failure and symptoms of cardiac microvascular disease. While amyloid deposition is most common in the myocardium but also seen in pericardium and endocardium, atria, and vasculature, the role of (micro‐)vascular dysfunction in CA pathophysiology remains still elusive. Because vascular function is associated with cardiovascular risk and severity of heart failure and represents a potential therapeutic target in CA, the present study investigated retinal vascular function, flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD), and pulse‐wave analysis and velocity (PWA/PWV) in patients with CA. Methods and results Flicker‐induced arterial dilatation (FIDa) was measured using dynamic retinal vessel analysis additionally to FMD and PWA/PWV. Thirty‐three patients with CA [age 67 years [interquartile range, IQR, 62, 74], 14 with amyloid light‐chain (AL) and 19 with transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis] were prospectively included in this cross‐sectional, observational study and 70 healthy individuals (age 53 years [IQR 39, 67]) served as control. Potential confounders were balanced using entropy balancing propensity score analysis [inverse probability weighting (IPW)]. FIDa was reduced in CA patients (1.52 ± 1.73% vs. 3.09 ± 1.96%, P

Abstract Background and Aims Sustained neurohormonal activation plays a central role in the progression of heart failure (HF). Other endocrine axes may also be affected. It was the aim of this study to examine the endocrine profile (thyroid, parathyroid, glucocorticoid, and sex hormones) in a contemporary sample of patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (EF) on established disease‐modifying therapy. Methods This study prospectively measured morning fasting hormones in 52 ambulatory and stable HF patients with EF

Summary: Background: Arterial hypertension is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Identification of secondary hypertension in its various forms is key to preventing and targeting treatment of cardiovascular complications. Simplified diagnostic tests are urgently required to distinguish primary and secondary hypertension to address the current underdiagnosis of the latter. Methods: This study uses Machine Learning (ML) to classify subtypes of endocrine hypertension (EHT) in a large cohort of hypertensive patients using multidimensional omics analysis of plasma and urine samples. We measured 409 multi-omics (MOmics) features including plasma miRNAs (PmiRNA: 173), plasma catechol O-methylated metabolites (PMetas: 4), plasma steroids (PSteroids: 16), urinary steroid metabolites (USteroids: 27), and plasma small metabolites (PSmallMB: 189) in primary hypertension (PHT) patients, EHT patients with either primary aldosteronism (PA), pheochromocytoma/functional paraganglioma (PPGL) or Cushing syndrome (CS) and normotensive volunteers (NV). Biomarker discovery involved selection of disease combination, outlier handling, feature reduction, 8 ML classifiers, class balancing and consideration of different age- and sex-based scenarios. Classifications were evaluated using balanced accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, AUC, F1, and Kappa score. Findings: Complete clinical and biological datasets were generated from 307 subjects (PA=113, PPGL=88, CS=41 and PHT=112). The random forest classifier provided ∼92% balanced accuracy (∼11% improvement on the best mono-omics classifier), with 96% specificity and 0.95 AUC to distinguish one of the four conditions in multi-class ALL-ALL comparisons (PPGL vs PA vs CS vs PHT) on an unseen test set, using 57 MOmics features. For discrimination of EHT (PA + PPGL + CS) vs PHT, the simple logistic classifier achieved 0.96 AUC with 90% sensitivity, and ∼86% specificity, using 37 MOmics features. One PmiRNA (hsa-miR-15a-5p) and two PSmallMB (C9 and PC ae C38:1) features were found to be most discriminating for all disease combinations. Overall, the MOmics-based classifiers were able to provide better classification performance in comparison to mono-omics classifiers. Interpretation: We have developed a ML pipeline to distinguish different EHT subtypes from PHT using multi-omics data. This innovative approach to stratification is an advancement towards the development of a diagnostic tool for EHT patients, significantly increasing testing throughput and accelerating administration of appropriate treatment. Funding: European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 633983, Clinical Research Priority Program of the University of Zurich for the CRPP HYRENE (to Z.E. and F.B.), and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (CRC/Transregio 205/1).

TRIAL DESIGN: In the Special Program University Medicine-Acute Coronary Syndromes (SPUM-ACS) observational study (clinical trial registration: NCT01000701), a multicentre before-after clinical trial, we assessed 5-year outcome after acute coronary syndrome, comparing a systematic with an opportunistic smoking cessation counselling phase. METHODS: We studied smokers who were hospitalised for acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and we assessed self-reported smoking cessation, incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality 5 years after hospital discharge. In the observational phase, from August 2009 to October 2010, only smokers who requested smoking cessation counselling received it during hospitalisation. In the interventional phase, from November 2010 to February 2012, hospitalised smokers with ACS were systematically offered intensive smoking cessation counselling including four telephone calls within 2 months of discharge. Because of the before-after design, the care givers were aware of study phase. The objective was to assess whether systematic counselling to every smoker with ACS has an impact on the long-term smoking cessation rate, incidence of cardiovascular events and mortality. Missing data on smoking cessation were analysed with multiple imputation. The study was not powered to assess differences in 5-year smoking cessation rates or cardiovascular outcomes. RESULTS: Overall, 458 smokers with ACS were included at baseline (225 during the intervention phase and 233 during the observation phase). At 5 years, 286 (62.4%) reported their smoking status (140 for the intervention phase and 146 for the observation phase) and 51 (11.1%) had died. There was no statistically significant difference in the abstinence rate between the interventional phase (75/140, 54%), and the observational phase (68/146, 47%), with a risk ratio with multiple imputation adjusted for age, sex, education and ACS type of 1.13 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84–1.51, p = 0.4). The 5-year risk of major acute cardiovascular event was similar in the intervention phase as compared with the observational phase. The multivariate adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality was 0.84 (95% CI 0.45–1.60, p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: In this controlled long-term interventional study, systematic intensive smoking cessation counselling in all hospitalised smokers with ACS did not increase 5-year smoking cessation rates, nor decrease cardiovascular event recurrence, as compared with opportunistic smoking cessation counselling during hospitalization.

BackgroundLow-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In confirmatory trials, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor alirocumab substantially lowered LDL-C and reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, the routine clinical use of alirocumab in Switzerland has not yet been studied.MethodsIn this prospective nation-wide cohort study, we aimed to investigate the patient profile and routine clinical efficacy and safety of alirocumab in 207 patients with ASCVD or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia and increased LDL-C despite maximally tolerated statin therapy. LDL-C was measured at baseline and after 3-months follow-up.ResultsOverall, mean age was 63 ± 11 years, 138 (67%) were men, and 168 (81%) had statin intolerance (SI). Patients with SI had a higher baseline LDL-C (4.3 ± 1.4 vs. 3.3 ± 1.4 mmol/l; p < 0.001) and less frequently ASCVD (71% vs. 95%; p = 0.002). After 3 months of treatment with alirocumab, LDL-C was reduced from 4.1 ± 1.5 to 2.0 ± 1.2 mmol/l (50.5%; p < 0.001). Mean absolute and relative reductions in LDL-C were similar in patients with vs. without SI (2.2 ± 1.2 vs. 1.9 ± 1.3 mmol/l; p = 0.24 and 49.0 vs. 56.6%; p = 0.11, respectively). In total, adverse events were recorded in 25 (12%) patients, with no new safety signals.ConclusionsIn routine clinical practice, alirocumab was predominantly used in patients with SI suggesting that the great majority of patients with insufficient LDL-C control who would be candidates for alirocumab are not receiving this therapeutic option in Switzerland. LDL-C lowering was potent and similar in patients with and without SI, replicating the favorable efficacy-safety profile of alirocumab from randomized trials.

Patients diagnosed with ischemia without obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) comprise the group of patients with primary microvascular angina (MVA). The pathophysiology underlying ischemia and angina is multifaceted. Differences in vascular tone, collateralization, environmental and psychosocial factors, pain thresholds, and cardiac innervation seem to contribute to clinical manifestations. There is evidence suggesting potential interactions between the clinical manifestations of MVA and non-cardiac conditions such as abnormal function of the central autonomic network (CAN) in the central nervous system (CNS), pain modulation pathways, and psychological, psychiatric, and social conditions. A few unconventional non-pharmacological and pharmacological techniques targeting these psychosocial conditions and modulating the CNS pathways have been proposed to improve symptoms and quality of life. Most of these unconventional approaches have shown encouraging results. However, these results are overall characterized by low levels of evidence both in observational studies and interventional trials. Awareness of the importance of microvascular dysfunction and MVA is gradually growing in the scientific community. Nonetheless, therapeutic success remains frustratingly low in clinical practice so far. This should promote basic and clinical research in this relevant cardiovascular field investigating, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Standardization of definitions, clear pathophysiological-directed inclusion criteria, crossover design, adequate sample size, and mid-term follow-up through multicenter randomized trials are mandatory for future study in this field.

Background: Lowering blood pressure (BP) leads to reduced risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular mortality. Single-pill combination therapies may deliver better BP control than increasing the dose of monotherapies or using more drugs separately.Objectives: The aim of the present observational study was to investigate the real-life use and the effect of first line or replacement single-pill combination therapies containing irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) on systolic BP (SBP) control rate in patients with hypertension.Methods: Overall, 780 patients with moderate or severe hypertension either untreated (289; 37%) or uncontrolled (491; 63%) with previous therapy were included in the “First Line CombinAtion Therapy in the Treatment of Stage II and III Hypertension” (FLASH) prospective Swiss national-wide cohort study. All recruited patients received single-pill antihypertensive combination therapy containing HCTZ and irbesartan. BP was measured at baseline and after 8-weeks follow-up according to guidelines.Results: Mean reductions in office systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) were 23.7 ± 13.7/11.7 ± 8.5 mmHg, with reductions of 26.9 ± 14.1/13.0 ± 8.8 mmHg or 21.8 ± 13.1/11.0 ± 8.3 mmHg when the single-pill combination of irbesartan/HCTZ was given as first line or replacement treatment, respectively (p < 0.001 for differences between first line and replacement treatment in both SBP and DBP). The guidelines-recommended goals were reached in 368 (47%), 492 (63%), and 312 (40%) patients for SBP, DBP, and SBP/DBP, respectively. The SBP control rate was higher when the combination was used as first line treatment (52 vs. 44%; p = 0.043). Overall, 145 adverse events were recorded; hypotension in 12 (1.5%) cases, hypokalaemia in 9 (1.2%), and hyperkalaemia in 3 (0.4%).Conclusions: The single-pill combination of irbesartan/HCTZ was well-tolerated and achieved substantial reductions in both systolic and diastolic BP. The SBP control rate was greater when the combination was prescribed as first line treatment as suggested by recent ESC/ESH guidelines.

Carotid ultrasound allows rapid and reliable quantification of atherosclerosis in humans. Although the definition of carotid plaque is not uniform, intimal thickening of at least 1.5 mm is currently defined as plaque. Plaque can be easily quantified by tracing the plaque area, a software-independent low-cost technique. More sophisticated quantifications involve 3D volume acquisitions, which is software-dependent and not widely available. Carotid plaque has a higher prognostic impact than intimal thickening, and carotid plaque volume showed comparable prognostic power to coronary calcifications. According to the latest European Joint ESC guidelines, carotid artery scanning should be considered for adjusting the level of risk especially in intermediate-risk subjects. There are various methods to incorporate results from imaging into clinical decision making, such as using arterial age instead of chronological age in risk equations or post-test risk calculations using the sensitivity and the specificity of the results from a given carotid plaque burden. In subjects with low or intermediate cardiovascular risk, the search for atherosclerosis may be appropriate and ultrasound of the carotid or the femoral arteries could be the primary method applied (depending on local expertise). Assessment of carotid total plaque presence, progression, stability and regression over time may be a valuable clinical tool for optimising the intensity of preventive therapies.

Abstract A fundamental tenet of heart failure (HF) pathophysiology hinges on a propensity for fluid retention leading to blood volume (BV) expansion and hemodilution. Whether this can be applied to heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) remains uncertain. The present study sought to determine BV status and key hormones regulating fluid homeostasis and erythropoiesis in HFpEF patients. BV and hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) were determined with high‐precision, automated carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing in 20 stable HFpEF patients (71.5 ± 7.3 years, left ventricular ejection fraction = 55.7 ± 4.0%) and 15 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched control individuals. Additional measurements comprised key circulating BV‐regulating hormones such as pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (proANP), copeptin, aldosterone and erythropoietin (EPO), as well as central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness via carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Carotid–femoral PWV was increased (+20%) in HFpEF patients versus control individuals. With respect to hematological variables, plasma volume (PV) did not differ between groups, whereas BV was decreased (−14%) in HFpEF patients. In consonance with the hypovolemic status, Hbmass was reduced (−27%) in HFpEF patients, despite they presented more than a twofold elevation of circulating EPO (+119%). Plasma concentrations of BV‐regulating hormones, including proANP (+106%), copeptin (+99%), and aldosterone (+62%), were substantially augmented in HFpEF patients. HFpEF patients may present with hypovolemia and markedly reduced Hbmass, underpinned by a generalized overactivation of endocrine systems regulating fluid homeostasis and erythropoiesis. These findings provide a novel perspective on the pathophysiological basis of the HFpEF condition.

Background/Aims: Despite availability of a broad spectrum of blood pressure (BP)-lowering drugs many hypertensive patients do not attain BP goals. We aimed to evaluate the influence of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) on patient’s awareness and attainment of BP goals under antihypertensive treatment with irbesartan alone or in combination with hydro-chlorothiazide. Methods: In total, 1,268 patients with arterial hypertension were enrolled in the Factors Influencing Results in anti-hypertenSive Treatment (FIRST) study by 348 general practitioners and internal medicine specialists across Switzerland. Patients selected for HBPM received detailed information and training on BP self-management. The study endpoints included patient’s awareness and attainment of BP goals, and the efficacy and tolerability of antihypertensive treatment at 3 months. Results: Overall, the mean age was 61±13 years and 616 (49%) were women. The mean systolic/diastolic BP was 161±17/96±11 mmHg, and 239 (19%) patients had diabetes mellitus. 758 (60%) patients were instructed to use HBPM. Both the proportion of patients aware of their BP goals (81% vs. 70%; p< 0.001) and the percentage of patients reaching their BP goal (64% vs. 57%; p=0.028) were higher in those with vs. without HBPM. The mean reduction in systolic/diastolic BP was 23.8/13.2 mmHg. Only 35 (3.0%) patients discontinued antihypertensive therapy. Conclusion: In a large Swiss cohort of patients with arterial hypertension, information and training on BP self-measurement and direct involvement of patients by using HBPM led to improvement in BP control. Treatment with irbesartan alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide was well tolerated and markedly reduced BP.

Preventive therapy in primary care is guided by risk thresholds for future cardiovascular events. We aimed to assess whether the sensitivity of various risk calculators for the detection of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (TPA80) could be improved by lowering risk thresholds in younger age groups. We compared sensitivity, specificity, and discriminatory performance of SCORE, SCORE-HDL, PROCAM, AGLA, FRAM and PCE coronary risk calculators to detect total plaque area > 80 mm2 (TPA80), a coronary risk equivalent, in age groups 40–55, 56–65, 66–75 from Germany (DE, N = 2942) and Switzerland (CH, N = 2202) during the years 2002 to 2016. All calculators showed good to moderate discriminatory performance to detect TPA80 with AUC ranging from 0.74 (CH-AGLA) to 0.87 (DE- SCORE), but the sensitivity of high risk risk thresholds varied widely from 39% for DE-FRAM-CVD to 5% for CH-AGLA. Lowering of the risk threshold increased sensitivity substantially at the expense of minor losses in specificity, but the sensitivity generally remained

OBJECTIVE About 50% of acute coronary syndromes occur in patients classified as being at low coronary risk. We aimed to assess the potential preventive benefit of carotid plaque imaging with ultrasound. METHODS We assessed the prevalence of “old” arteries (vascular age ≥70 years; VA70) in 3248 healthy subjects aged 40–65 years from the Swiss region of Olten and the German region of Koblenz. We compared sensitivity, specificity and discriminatory performance of SCORE, PROCAM and AGLA coronary risk calculators to detect VA70 for various decision thresholds and performed reclassification and cost-efficiency analysis. RESULTS VA70 was found in one out of eight subjects. Sensitivity for VA70 was 6% at the 10% AGLA threshold in women and 30% in men in the Olten area, which was confirmed for the Koblenz area with PROCAM (sensitivity 8% in women, 56% in men). Results were similar for SCORE. The discriminatory performance ranged between 0.69 and 0.82. Reclassification from low risk to a higher risk category occurred in 17–35% of patients. Analysis showed that carotid imaging for CHF 100 per person was highly cost efficient. CONCLUSIONS In subjects aged 40–65 years, the prevalence of old arteries is one out of eight and the detection rate of AGLA and SCORE is lower in women (6% for PROCAM) than for men (30%) at the 10% threshold. Carotid imaging may be used to reclassify subjects from low to intermediate or high cardiovascular risk. Our method is highly cost efficient at a price of CHF 100 per examination.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) represents the most common cause of death worldwide. The consumption of natural polyphenol-rich foods, and cocoa in particular, has been related to a reduced risk of CVD, including coronary heart disease and stroke. Intervention studies strongly suggest that cocoa exerts a beneficial impact on cardiovascular health, through the reduction of blood pressure (BP), improvement of vascular function, modulation of lipid and glucose metabolism, and reduction of platelet aggregation. These potentially beneficial effects have been shown in healthy subjects as well as in patients with risk factors (arterial hypertension, diabetes, and smoking) or established CVD (coronary heart disease or heart failure). Several potential mechanisms are supposed to be responsible for the positive effect of cocoa; among them activation of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, increased bioavailability of NO as well as antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is the aim of this review to summarize the findings of cocoa and chocolate on BP and vascular function.

Local vascular injury is detectable with optical coherence tomography (OCT) after catheter-based renal denervation (RDN). However, it is unclear whether the number and type of vascular lesions or the number of ablation points could affect blood pressure (BP) reduction. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of vascular injury induced by RDN detected with OCT and the number of ablation points on BP response after 1, 3 and 6 months. METHODS: RDN was either performed with a Simplicity® catheter or an EnligHTNTM multielectrode basket followed by OCT. BP was recorded prospectively as office measurement and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24-h ABPM) at each time point. Correlations between type and number of vascular lesions, as well as ablation points, on BP reduction were performed. RESULTS: Out of 16 patients, two were lost to BP follow-up. We documented a BP reduction at 1, 3 and 6 months in both office and 24-h ABPM. The Δmean office systolic BP (SBP) reduction was –18.75 ± 24.55 mm Hg, –20.58 ± 16.92 mm Hg and –18.75 ± 29.39 mm Hg, respectively, and the Δmean 24h-ABPM SBP reduction was –6.50 ± 23.45 mm Hg, –16.88 ± 26.64 mm Hg and –13.89 ± 21.20 mm Hg, respectively. The number of vascular lesions did not correlate with office and 24h-SBP and diastolic BP reduction. However, there was a correlation between ablation points and office Δmean SBP reduction at 6 months (p

PRINCIPLES: As a result of the relatively low sensitivity of coronary risk charts, such as the Swiss coronary risk calculator (Arbeitsgruppe Lipide und Atherosklerose, AGLA), for detecting subjects with future myocardial infarction, the performance of arterial age (aa) as a surrogate marker for chronological age (ca) was tested. METHODS: In a practice based sample, burden of carotid plaque was obtained with ultrasound, using total plaque area (TPA). In this derivation cohort, sex-specific 5-year groups of mean TPA were calculated in subjects aged between 35 and 79 years. The arterial age formula was found by fitting an exponential function on these data. AGLAca and AGLAaa were tested externally for their ability to detect 13 myocardial infarctions in 684 subjects (validation cohort). RESULTS: The derivation cohort included 1,500 subjects (mean age 59 ± 9 years, mean TPA 54 ± 52 mm2, 5% diabetics, 43% women). Arterial age was found to be y = 5.4175e0.0426x in men and y = 4.1942e0.0392x in women. Mean 10-year AGLAca coronary risk was comparable to AGLAaa (8% ± 9% vs 9% ± 15%). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of AGLAca and AGLAaa results showed areas under the curve of 0.65 (p = 0.041) and 0.78 (p

Transcatheter (or percutaneous) renal denervation is a novel technique developed for the treatment of resistant hypertension. So far, only one randomised controlled trial has been published, which has shown a reduction of office blood pressure. The Swiss Society of Hypertension, the Swiss Society of Cardiology, The Swiss Society of Angiology and the Swiss Society of Interventional Radiology decided to establish recommendations to practicing physicians and specialists for good clinical practice. The eligibility of patients for trancatheter renal denervation needs (1.) confirmation of truly resistant hypertension, (2.) exclusion of secondary forms of hypertension, (3.) a multidisciplinary decision confirming the eligibility, (4.) facilities that guarantee procedural safety and (5.) a long-term follow-up of the patients, if possible in cooperation with a hypertension specialist. These steps are essential until long-term data on safety and efficacy are available.

The recommendations of international scientific societies for the treatment of hypertension in the geriatric population are different. Lack of outcome trials, non-standardised terminology as well as differing levels of evidence contribute to the inconsistencies in the guidelines. This review article compares six international guidelines (ESH-ESC 2007/2009, SHG 2009, DHL 2008, CHEP 2010, NICE 2011 and JNC7 2003) as well as the consensus document of the ACCF/AHA 2011 in terms of their recommendations of drug classes, target blood pressure values and the use of combination therapy. Generally, antihypertensive therapy appears to be clinically beneficial in geriatric patients. Target blood pressure values of