Alessia Giglio

Weather-Related Changes in 24-Hour Blood Pressure Profile. Effects of Age and Implications for Hypertension Management

A downward titration of antihypertensive drug regimens in summertime is often performed on the basis of seasonal variations of clinic blood pressure (BP). However, little is known about the actual interaction between outdoor air temperature and the effects of antihypertensive treatment on ambulatory BP. The combined effects of aging, treatment, and daily mean temperature on clinic and ambulatory BP were investigated in 6404 subjects referred to our units between October 1999 and December 2003. Office and mean 24-hour systolic BP, as well as morning pressure surge, were significantly lower in hot (>90th percentiles of air temperature; 136±19, 130±14, and 33.3±16.1 mm Hg; P<0.05 for all), and higher in cold (<10th percentiles) days (141±12, 133±11, and 37.3±9.5 mm Hg; at least P<0.05 for all) when compared with intermediate days (138±18, 132±14, and 35.3±15.4 mm Hg). At regression analysis, 24-hour and daytime systolic pressure were inversely related to temperature (P<0.01 for all). Conversely, nighttime systolic pressure was positively related to temperature (P<0.02), with hot days being associated with higher nighttime pressure. Air temperature was identified as an independent predictor of nighttime systolic pressure increase in the group of elderly treated hypertensive subjects only. No significant relationship was found between air temperature and heart rate. Our results show for the first time that hot weather is associated with an increase in systolic pressure at night in treated elderly hypertensive subjects. This may be because of a nocturnal BP escape from the effects of a lighter summertime drug regimen and may have important implications for seasonal modulation of antihypertensive treatment.

A new method for assessing 24-h blood pressure variability after excluding the contribution of nocturnal blood pressure fall.

Objectives To assess quantitatively the relationship between nocturnal blood pressure (BP) fall and 24-h BP variability; to propose a new method for computing 24-h BP variability, devoid of the contribution from nocturnal BP fall; and to verify the clinical value of this method. Methods and results We analysed 3863 ambulatory BP recordings, and computed: (1) the standard deviation (SD) of 24-h BP directly from all individual readings and as a weighted mean of daytime and night-time SD (wSD); and (2) the size of nocturnal BP fall. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was assessed by echocardiography in 339 of the patients. The 24-h SD of BP was significantly greater than the 24-h wSD. Nocturnal BP fall was strongly and directly related to 24-h SD, the relationship with 24-h wSD being much weaker and inverse. The difference between SD and wSD was almost exclusively determined by the size of nocturnal BP fall. wSD of systolic BP was significantly related to LVMI, while 24-h SD was not. Conclusion Conventional 24-h SD of BP is markedly influenced by nocturnal BP fall. The weighted 24-h SD of BP removes the mathematical interference from night-time BP fall and correlates better with end-organ damage, therefore it may be considered as a simple index of 24-h BP variability superior to conventional 24-h SD.

Validation of the Omron M5-I, R5-I and HEM-907 automated blood pressure monitors in elderly individuals according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension.

ObjectiveThis study aimed at verifying the accuracy of three automated electronic oscillometric blood pressure measuring devices, namely Omron M5-I (home use upper arm monitor), R5-I (home use wrist monitor) and HEM-907 (professional use upper arm monitor) according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol in elderly individuals. MethodsSequential measurements of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were obtained in 33 participants (aged ≥75 years) using the mercury sphygmomanometer (two observers) and each of the tested devices (one supervisor). A standard adult cuff was always employed during the study because all participants had an arm circumference compatible with such a cuff. According to the European Society of Hypertension validation protocol 99 couples (three pairs per patient) of test device and reference blood pressure measurements were obtained during phase 1 (15 participants studied) and phase 2 (a further 18 participants) for each electronic monitor. ResultsAll devices successfully passed the validation study with a mean (±SD) device−observer difference for systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 0.2±3.6/0.2±3.9 mmHg (Omron M5-I), −1.5±6.2/−0.7±3.7 mmHg (Omron R5-I), and 0.1±5.1/−1.9±4.2 mmHg (Omron HEM-907). SD of the mean difference was lower and thus the precision was better for diastolic than for systolic blood pressure, and for the Omron M5-I than for the other two devices. ConclusionsAccording to the results of the validation study based on the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol the Omron M5-I, R5-I, and HEM-907 may be recommended for clinical use in elderly individuals, without atrial fibrillation or frequent ectopic beats.

Device-Guided Paced Breathing in the Home Setting Effects on Exercise Capacity, Pulmonary and Ventricular Function in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: A Pilot Study

Background— Regular slow breathing is known to improve autonomic cardiac regulation and reduce chemoreflex sensitivity in heart failure. We explored the acceptability and usefulness of a device for paced slow breathing at the home setting. Methods and Results— In this open pilot study, 24 patients with chronic heart failure (61% males, mean age, 64±9 years; New York Heart Association class, 2.81±0.01) were randomized to a control group receiving conventional treatment (n=12) or to a group receiving conventional treatment and device-guided paced breathing (n=12). Groups were comparable for age, therapies, and clinical characteristics. They were evaluated at baseline and again after 10 weeks by Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary stress test, and quality of life (Minnesota Quality of Life questionnaire). The treatment group was instructed to use the equipment for 18 minutes twice daily. The device is a computerized box connected to a belt-type respiration sensor and to headphones; it generates musical tones (based on the user’s breathing rate and inspiration ratio), which guide the user to progressively and effortlessly slow his or her breathing rate <10 breaths/min. The treatment group showed high compliance to the device (90% of the prescribed sessions were completed). Blinded analysis of data demonstrated increased ejection fraction and decreased estimated pulmonary pressure in the echocardiograms of the treated group versus controls and favorable changes in New York Heart Association class, Ve/Vco2, FEV1, and a quality of life measure, as well (all P <0.05). Conclusions— This pilot investigation demonstrates that device-guided paced breathing at home is feasible and results in an improvement in clinically relevant parameters for patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction. Received February 12, 2008; accepted July 23, 2008.Background—Regular slow breathing is known to improve autonomic cardiac regulation and reduce chemoreflex sensitivity in heart failure. We explored the acceptability and usefulness of a device for paced slow breathing at the home setting. Methods and Results—In this open pilot study, 24 patients with chronic heart failure (61% males, mean age, 64±9 years; New York Heart Association class, 2.81±0.01) were randomized to a control group receiving conventional treatment (n=12) or to a group receiving conventional treatment and device-guided paced breathing (n=12). Groups were comparable for age, therapies, and clinical characteristics. They were evaluated at baseline and again after 10 weeks by Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary stress test, and quality of life (Minnesota Quality of Life questionnaire). The treatment group was instructed to use the equipment for 18 minutes twice daily. The device is a computerized box connected to a belt-type respiration sensor and to headphones; it generates musical tones (based on the user’s breathing rate and inspiration ratio), which guide the user to progressively and effortlessly slow his or her breathing rate <10 breaths/min. The treatment group showed high compliance to the device (90% of the prescribed sessions were completed). Blinded analysis of data demonstrated increased ejection fraction and decreased estimated pulmonary pressure in the echocardiograms of the treated group versus controls and favorable changes in New York Heart Association class, Ve/Vco2, FEV1, and a quality of life measure, as well (all P<0.05). Conclusions—This pilot investigation demonstrates that device-guided paced breathing at home is feasible and results in an improvement in clinically relevant parameters for patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction.

Effects of selective and nonselective beta-blockade on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure under hypobaric hypoxia at altitude

Background Little is known about the effects of cardiovascular drugs at high altitude. Objective To assess 24-h blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during short-term altitude exposure in healthy normotensive persons treated with carvedilol or nebivolol. Methods Participants were randomized in double-blind to placebo, nebivolol 5 mg once daily or carvedilol 25 mg b.i.d. Tests were performed at sea level (baseline and after 2 weeks treatment) and on second to third day at altitude (Monte Rosa, 4559 m), still on treatment. Data collection included conventional BP, 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), oxygen saturation (SpO2), Lake Louise Score and adverse symptoms score. Results Twenty-four participants had complete data (36.4 ± 12.8 years, 14 men). Both beta-blockers reduced 24-h BP at sea level. At altitude 24-h BP increased in all groups, mainly due to increased night-time BP. Twenty-four-hour SBP at altitude was lower with carvedilol (116.4 ± 2.1 mmHg) than with placebo (125.8 ± 2.2 mmHg; P < 0.05) and intermediate with nebivolol (120.7 ± 2.1 mmHg; NS vs. others). Rate of nondipping increased at altitude and was lower with nebivolol than with placebo (33 vs. 71%; P = 0.065). Side effects score was higher with carvedilol than with placebo (P = 0.04), and intermediate with nebivolol. SpO2 at altitude was higher with placebo (86.1 ± 1.2%) than with nebivolol (81.7 ± 1.1%; P = 0.07) or carvedilol (81.1 ± 1.1%; P = 0.04). Conclusions Both carvedilol and nebivolol partly counteract the increase in BP at altitude in healthy normotensive individuals but are associated with a lower SpO2. Carvedilol seems more potent in this regard, whereas nebivolol more effectively prevents the shift to a nondipping BP profile and is better tolerated.

Transthoracic bioimpedance and brain natriuretic peptide levels accurately indicate additional diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic advanced systolic heart failure

Diastolic dysfunction in patients with heart failure has prognostic relevance, possibly because of its relationship with worsening haemodynamic status. In the quest for simpler indexes of haemodynamic status in patients, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels have been proposed as a surrogate of diastolic function. To date, the value of combining BNP levels with non‐invasive haemodynamic monitoring by transthoracic electric bioimpedance (TEB) for the prediction of diastolic function has not been evaluated.

Device-Guided Paced Breathing in the Home SettingCLINICAL PERSPECTIVE

Background— Regular slow breathing is known to improve autonomic cardiac regulation and reduce chemoreflex sensitivity in heart failure. We explored the acceptability and usefulness of a device for paced slow breathing at the home setting. Methods and Results— In this open pilot study, 24 patients with chronic heart failure (61% males, mean age, 64±9 years; New York Heart Association class, 2.81±0.01) were randomized to a control group receiving conventional treatment (n=12) or to a group receiving conventional treatment and device-guided paced breathing (n=12). Groups were comparable for age, therapies, and clinical characteristics. They were evaluated at baseline and again after 10 weeks by Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary stress test, and quality of life (Minnesota Quality of Life questionnaire). The treatment group was instructed to use the equipment for 18 minutes twice daily. The device is a computerized box connected to a belt-type respiration sensor and to headphones; it generates musical tones (based on the user’s breathing rate and inspiration ratio), which guide the user to progressively and effortlessly slow his or her breathing rate <10 breaths/min. The treatment group showed high compliance to the device (90% of the prescribed sessions were completed). Blinded analysis of data demonstrated increased ejection fraction and decreased estimated pulmonary pressure in the echocardiograms of the treated group versus controls and favorable changes in New York Heart Association class, Ve/Vco2, FEV1, and a quality of life measure, as well (all P <0.05). Conclusions— This pilot investigation demonstrates that device-guided paced breathing at home is feasible and results in an improvement in clinically relevant parameters for patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction. Received February 12, 2008; accepted July 23, 2008.Background—Regular slow breathing is known to improve autonomic cardiac regulation and reduce chemoreflex sensitivity in heart failure. We explored the acceptability and usefulness of a device for paced slow breathing at the home setting. Methods and Results—In this open pilot study, 24 patients with chronic heart failure (61% males, mean age, 64±9 years; New York Heart Association class, 2.81±0.01) were randomized to a control group receiving conventional treatment (n=12) or to a group receiving conventional treatment and device-guided paced breathing (n=12). Groups were comparable for age, therapies, and clinical characteristics. They were evaluated at baseline and again after 10 weeks by Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary function, cardiopulmonary stress test, and quality of life (Minnesota Quality of Life questionnaire). The treatment group was instructed to use the equipment for 18 minutes twice daily. The device is a computerized box connected to a belt-type respiration sensor and to headphones; it generates musical tones (based on the user’s breathing rate and inspiration ratio), which guide the user to progressively and effortlessly slow his or her breathing rate <10 breaths/min. The treatment group showed high compliance to the device (90% of the prescribed sessions were completed). Blinded analysis of data demonstrated increased ejection fraction and decreased estimated pulmonary pressure in the echocardiograms of the treated group versus controls and favorable changes in New York Heart Association class, Ve/Vco2, FEV1, and a quality of life measure, as well (all P<0.05). Conclusions—This pilot investigation demonstrates that device-guided paced breathing at home is feasible and results in an improvement in clinically relevant parameters for patients with heart failure and systolic dysfunction.

How to improve the assessment of 24-h blood pressure variability

An increased 24-h blood pressure variability, expressed as SD of 24-h average ambulatory blood pressure values, is associated with target organ damage and cardiovascular risk in hypertension, while a physiological nocturnal blood pressure fall has been associated with reduced cardiovascular risk. Nocturnal blood pressure fall, however, may contribute markedly to the overall blood pressure variability. The aim of our study was to quantitatively assess the contribution of nocturnal blood pressure fall to 24-h blood pressure variability, and to propose a new method for computing 24-h blood pressure variability correcting for nocturnal blood pressure fall. From a large database of ambulatory blood pressure recordings obtained in two hypertension centres (Milan, Italy and Krakow, Poland), we selected 1995 recordings of a sufficiently high quality (≥70% valid readings, ≥1 measure/h). We calculated (1) blood pressure variability, as SD of 24-h mean blood pressure, both directly from all 24-h individual readings and as a weighted mean of separately computed daytime and night-time blood pressure SD; and (2) the size of nocturnal blood pressure fall. The weighted mean SD of 24-h blood pressure was significantly lower than the corresponding direct 24-h SD of blood pressure. The size of the difference between direct SD and weighted mean SD was strongly correlated with the absolute size of nocturnal blood pressure fall (SD: r=0.89 and 0.86 for systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively, P<0.001 for all). The 24-h SD of blood pressure is markedly influenced by the size of nocturnal blood pressure fall, while the weighted mean SD is not. The inclusion of nocturnal blood pressure fall in the calculation of 24-h blood pressure variability may thus lead to the overestimating of this phenomenon. Given that blood pressure variability and fall at night may have opposite prognostic significance, it may be advisable to calculate 24-h SD as the weighted mean of daytime and night-time values, which excludes the interference of night-time blood pressure fall on overall blood pressure variability and allows a more precise assessment of the clinical value of 24-h blood pressure variability. The actual clinical relevance of this new parameter has to be assessed by longitudinal outcome studies.

Lung ultrasound and transthoracic impedance for noninvasive evaluation of pulmonary congestion in heart failure

Background In patients with heart failure, many indexes are available for noninvasive identification of pulmonary congestion: E/E’ at echocardiography; plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) (pg/ml); number of B-lines at lung ultrasound; and transthoracic conductance [thoracic fluid content (TFC)TT = 1/&OHgr;] at impedance cardiography (ICG). Methods We obtained 75 measures from 50 patients (72 ± 10 years, NYHA 2.4 ± 0.7, ejection fraction 31 ± 7%), 25 of them studied before and after intravenous diuretics, in whom we assessed the following: E/e’ from Doppler echocardiogram; BNP plasma levels; presence and number of B-lines at lung ultrasound; and TFCTT from ICG. We determined the relationship among these indexes and their change with treatment, and compared B-lines and TFC for the diagnosis of pulmonary congestion. Finally, we considered the timing and the personnel required for performing and interpreting each test. Results A mutual relationship was observed between all the variables. After clinical improvement, changes in each variable were of similar direction and magnitude. Congestion (estimated by chest radiograph) was present in 59% of the patients: TFC value and B-line number had the best sensitivity and specificity for its detection. BNP determination and ICG assessment were performed by a nurse (15 min), and echocardiography and lung ultrasound were performed by a cardiologist (15 min). Conclusion The correlation between all indexes and their consensual change after improvement of the clinical status suggests that they all detect pulmonary congestion, and that using at least two indexes improves sensitivity and specificity. The choice among the methods may be determined by the patient characteristics or by the clinical setting.

Acute effects of levosimendan on mitral regurgitation and diastolic function in patients with advanced chronic heart failure

Background We analyzed the inodilator properties of levosimendan in patients with chronic heart failure and severe functional mitral regurgitation. Methods We studied 20 patients under optimal treatment and in stable clinical condition (New York Heart Association 3.19 ± 0.66; 70 ± 7 years). Levosimendan was infused as a bolus (12 μg/kg in 10 min) followed by a 24-h infusion (0.1–0.2 μg/kg per min). Before and after infusion, Doppler echocardiography, brain natriuretic peptide determination and noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring with bioimpedance cardiography were performed. Results Levosimendan improved left ventricular ejection fraction (ejection fraction 31 ± 4 from 27 ± 4, P < 0.05), decreased brain natriuretic peptide (333 ± 139 from 629 ± 63 pg/ml, P < 0.01), reduced mitral valve effective regurgitant orifice area to 27 ± 5 from 36 ± 7 mm2 (P < 0.01) and the velocity of displacement of mitral annulus [ratio between E and E′ waves on Doppler and tissue Doppler (E/E′) from 22.7 ± 1.6 to 13.1 ± 0.6, P < 0.01]. Noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring showed increased acceleration index (a marker of inotropism), and reduced peripheral resistances and thoracic fluid content (P < 0.01). After 4 weeks of washout, some of these effects were still evident. Conclusion In patients with chronic heart failure and functional mitral regurgitation, levosimendan acutely improved systolic and diastolic function, reduced mitral regurgitation and modulated neurohormonal activation, with a tendency for these changes to persist over a short-term follow-up.