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Background/objectives: Dietary habits are a significant predictor of hypertension (HTN). We aimed to evaluate the long-term association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and HTN incidence., Subjects/methods: This was a prospective study among 1415 non-hypertensive adults (44% men, age: 41 ± 13 years) followed up for 20 years. Anthropometric, lifestyle, and clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated both at baseline and 10 years through the MedDietScore (range: 0-55, higher values indicate greater adherence)., Results: At the 20-year follow-up, 314 new HTN cases were recorded. HTN incidence was 35.5%, 22.5%, and 8.7% in the lowest, middle, and upper tertile of baseline MedDietScore, respectively (p < 0.001). For each 1-point increase in baseline MedDietScore, the 20-year HTN risk decreased by 7% [relative risk (RR): 0.925, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.906, 0.943], and this effect remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and baseline lifestyle and clinical confounders, i.e., body mass index, physical activity, smoking, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, family history of HTN, and presence of hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus (RR: 0.973, 95%CI: 0.949, 0.997). In a similar multiadjusted model, compared to subjects who were consistently away from the Mediterranean diet (in the lowest MedDietScore tertile both at baseline and 10 years), only those who were consistently close (in the middle and upper MedDietScore tertiles both at baseline and 10 years) exhibited a 47% lower 20-year HTN risk., Conclusion: A high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, particularly when longitudinally sustained, is associated with lower incidence of HTN., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Arterial hypertension is a leading cause of death globally. Due to ageing, the rising incidence of obesity, and socioeconomic and environmental changes, its incidence increases worldwide. Hypertension commonly coexists with Type 2 diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, sedentary lifestyle, and smoking leading to risk amplification. Blood pressure lowering by lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive drugs reduce cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Guidelines recommend dual- and triple-combination therapies using renin-angiotensin system blockers, calcium channel blockers, and/or a diuretic. Comorbidities often complicate management. New drugs such as angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, and non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists improve CV and renal outcomes. Catheter-based renal denervation could offer an alternative treatment option in comorbid hypertension associated with increased sympathetic nerve activity. This review summarises the latest clinical evidence for managing hypertension with CV comorbidities., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: L.L. reports speaker honoraria from Medtronic and ReCor Medical. F.M. is supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kardiologie and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB TRR219) and has received scientific support and speaker honoraria from Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Inari, Medtronic, and ReCor Medical. M.A. has received research grants from the French Ministry of Health, the European Horizon 2020 programme, and Quantum Genomics; has received grant support and non-financial support from ReCor Medical and Idorsia; and has received personal fees from AstraZeneca, Alnylam Pharmaceutical, Medtronic, and Poxel Pharma. D.L.B. discloses the following relationships—Advisory Board: Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cardax, CellProthera, Cereno Scientific, Elsevier Practice Update Cardiology, Janssen, Level Ex, Medscape Cardiology, Merck, MyoKardia, NirvaMed, Novo Nordisk, PhaseBio, PLx Pharma, Regado Biosciences, and Stasys; Board of Directors: AngioWave (stock options), Boston VA Research Institute, DRS.LINQ (stock options), Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, TobeSoft; Chair: Inaugural Chair, American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee; Data Monitoring Committees: Acesion Pharma, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Baim Institute for Clinical Research (formerly Harvard Clinical Research Institute, for the PORTICO trial, funded by St Jude Medical, now Abbott), Boston Scientific (Chair, PEITHO trial), Cleveland Clinic (including for the ExCEED trial, funded by Edwards), Contego Medical (Chair, PERFORMANCE 2), Duke Clinical Research Institute, Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai School of Medicine (for the ENVISAGE trial, funded by Daiichi Sankyo; for the ABILITY-DM trial, funded by Concept Medical), Novartis, Population Health Research Institute; Rutgers University (for the NIH-funded MINT Trial); Honoraria: American College of Cardiology (Senior Associate Editor, Clinical Trials and News, ACC.org; Chair, ACC Accreditation Oversight Committee), Arnold and Porter law firm (work related to Sanofi/Bristol-Myers Squibb clopidogrel litigation), Baim Institute for Clinical Research (formerly Harvard Clinical Research Institute; RE-DUAL PCI clinical trial steering committee funded by Boehringer Ingelheim; AEGIS-II executive committee funded by CSL Behring), Belvoir Publications (Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter), Canadian Medical and Surgical Knowledge Translation Research Group (clinical trial steering committees), Cowen and Company, Duke Clinical Research Institute (clinical trial steering committees, including for the PRONOUNCE trial, funded by Ferring Pharmaceuticals), HMP Global (Editor in Chief, Journal of Invasive Cardiology), Journal of the American College of Cardiology (Guest Editor; Associate Editor), K2P (Co-Chair, interdisciplinary curriculum), Level Ex, Medtelligence/ReachMD (CME steering committees), MJH Life Sciences, Oakstone CME, Piper Sandler, Population Health Research Institute (for the COMPASS operations committee, publications committee, steering committee, and USA national co-leader, funded by Bayer), Slack Publications (Chief Medical Editor, Cardiology Today’s Intervention), Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (Secretary/Treasurer), WebMD (CME steering committees), Wiley (steering committee); Other: Clinical Cardiology (Deputy Editor), NCDR-ACTION Registry Steering Committee (Chair), VA CART Research and Publications Committee (Chair); Research Funding: Abbott, Acesion Pharma, Afimmune, Aker Biomarine, Amarin, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Beren, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Scientific, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cardax, CellProthera, Cereno Scientific, Chiesi, CSL Behring, Eisai, Ethicon, Faraday Pharmaceuticals, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Forest Laboratories, Fractyl, Garmin, HLS Therapeutics, Idorsia, Ironwood, Ischemix, Janssen, Javelin, Lexicon, Lilly, Medtronic, Merck, Moderna, MyoKardia, NirvaMed, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Owkin, Pfizer, PhaseBio, PLx Pharma, Recardio, Regeneron, Reid Hoffman Foundation, Roche, Sanofi, Stasys, Synaptic, The Medicines Company, 89Bio; Royalties: Elsevier (Editor, Braunwald’s Heart Disease); Site Co-Investigator: Abbott, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, CSI, Endotronix, St Jude Medical (now Abbott), Philips, Svelte; Trustee: American College of Cardiology; Unfunded Research: FlowCo, Takeda. S.E. has received scientific support and speaker honoraria from Medtronic, ReCor Medical, AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Bayer, and Novartis. K.K. has received research grants from Asteras Pharma, Taisho Pharmaceutical, and Boehringer Ingelheim Japan, and honoraria from AstraZeneca, Kowa, Sanofi, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, and Boehringer Ingelheim Japan outside the submitted work. G.P. reports speaker honoraria from Omron Healthcare, Bayer, and Servier. P.R. reports consulting for Bayer, CinCor, G3P, Idorsia, and KBP; honoraria from Ablative Solutions, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corvidia, CVRx, Fresenius, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Relypsa Inc., a Vifor Pharma Group Company, Roche, Sanofi, Sequana Medical, Servier, and Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma; Cofounder: CardioRenal, a company developing potassium and creatinine sensors for home monitoring. M.P.S. is supported by an NHMRC Research Fellowship and has received consulting fees, and/or travel and research support from Medtronic, Abbott, Novartis, Servier, Pfizer, and Boehringer Ingelheim. K.K.T. has nothing to declare. R.R.T. Consultant to Medtronic, BD, AXIO, and Jansen, Royalty from UpToDate; grants from NIH. C.T. has received speaker honoraria from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Servier, Sanofi, Medtronic, Novartis, and ReCor Medical. M.A.W. reports consulting and research payments from Medtronic, ReCor Medical, Ablative Solutions, Johnson & Johnson, and Urovant. T.W. reports speaker honoraria from Astra Zeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Daiichy Sankyo, Medtronic, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, and Servier and research support from Medtronic. M.B. reports personal fees from Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Vifor, Servier, Medtronic, and Novartis; and grants from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and AstraZeneca, all outside the submitted work., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Since the publication of the 2018 European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension (ESC/ESH) Guidelines for the Management of Arterial Hypertension, several high-quality studies, including randomised, sham-controlled trials on catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) were published, confirming both the blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy and safety of radiofrequency and ultrasound RDN in a broad range of patients with hypertension, including resistant hypertension. A clinical consensus document by the ESC Council on Hypertension and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions (EAPCI) on RDN in the management of hypertension was considered necessary to inform clinical practice. This expert group proposes that RDN is an adjunct treatment option in uncontrolled resistant hypertension, confirmed by ambulatory BP measurements, despite best efforts at lifestyle and pharmacological interventions. RDN may also be used in patients who are unable to tolerate antihypertensive medications in the long term. A shared decision-making process is a key feature and preferably includes a patient who is well informed on the benefits and limitations of the procedure. The decision-making process should take (i) the patient's global cardiovascular (CV) risk and/or (ii) the presence of hypertension-mediated organ damage or CV complications into account. Multidisciplinary hypertension teams involving hypertension experts and interventionalists evaluate the indication and facilitate the RDN procedure. Interventionalists require expertise in renal interventions and specific training in RDN procedures. Centres performing these procedures require the skills and resources to deal with potential complications. Future research is needed to address open questions and investigate the impact of BP-lowering with RDN on clinical outcomes and potential clinical indications beyond hypertension., (This article has been co-published with permission in the European Heart Journal and EuroIntervention. All rights reserved. © the European Society of Cardiology and the Authors 2023. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal's style. Either citation can be used when citing this article.)

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been increasing rapidly worldwide, affecting 25-30% of the population. Fatty liver index (FLI) is a validated marker of NAFLD and can be used as a screening tool for hepatic steatosis. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between FLI and the risk of major cardiovascular events in never treated hypertensive patients. We included 903 hypertensive patients without a history of cardiovascular disease (mean age 52.7 ± 11.4 years; men 55%; baseline clinic BP 149.8 ± 15.2/95.5 ± 10.1 mmHg). Participants were prospectively evaluated for a mean follow-up period of 5.2 ± 3.2 years with at least one annual visit. Patients were also categorized into two groups using an FLI of 60 units. The incidence of cardiovascular events during follow-up was 8.5% (n = 77). Patients with FLI < 60 (n = 625) had a better BP control compared to their counterparts with FLI ≥ 60 (n = 278) during follow up (43% vs 33%, p = 0.02). Cox-regression analysis indicated that FLI (Hazard Ratio [HR], 1.05; 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.03-1.07, p < 0.001), FLI z-scores (HR, 3.66; 95% CI, 2.22-6.04) and high-risk FLI (HR, 7.5; 95% CI, 3.12-18.04) were independent determinants of the outcome after adjustment for baseline and follow-up variables. Stratification by diabetes mellitus indicated that FLI predicted the outcome to a greater extent in those with than those without diabetes (P-interaction < 0.001). In conclusion, FLI has an independent prognostic value for the incidence of cardiovascular events in newly diagnosed, never-treated hypertensive patients. Therefore, FLI might identify higher-risk patients in the primary prevention of hypertension., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Japanese Society of Hypertension.)

In treated hypertensive patients, there is a substantial residual cardiovascular (CV) risk that cannot be assessed by the available prediction models. This risk can be associated with subclinical organ damage, such as increased left ventricular mass (LVM) and arterial stiffness. However, it remains unknown which of these two CV markers better predicts coronary artery disease (CAD). A prospective cohort study was used to answer the above question. The study sample consisted of 1033 patients with hypertension (mean age 55.6 years, 538 males) free of CAD at baseline, who were followed for a mean period of 6 years. At baseline, all subjects underwent a complete echocardiographic study and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement. Hypertensive individuals who developed CAD (2.8%) compared to those without CAD at follow-up, had a higher baseline LVM index (by 16.7 g/m 2 , p < 0.001), higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (21% greater, p = 0.027) and greater prevalence of high PWV levels at baseline (21% greater, p = 0.019). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that baseline age >65 years (HR = 2.067, p = 0.001), male gender (HR = 3.664, p = 0.001), baseline chronic kidney disease (HR = 2.020, p = 0.026), baseline diabetes mellitus (HR = 1.952, p = 0.015) and baseline LVH (HR = 2.124 p = 0.001) turned out to be independent predictors of CAD, whereas high PWV levels were not. LVH proved to be an independent prognosticator of CAD in contrast to arterial stiffness that was not related to CAD after accounting for established confounders. Therefore, LVM can reliably help physicians to identify high-risk hypertensives in whom an intensified therapeutic management is warranted., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Background: We investigated whether fatty liver index (FLI), a surrogate marker of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is associated with hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) in never-treated hypertensive patients without diabetes mellitus., Methods: We performed both clinic and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements, and calculated the FLI for all participants. A FLI of no less than 60 indicates a high-risk of underlying NAFLD, whereas a FLI of less than 60 indicates lower risk. We evaluated left ventricular mass (LVM) by echocardiography, arterial stiffness by carotid--femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), capillary rarefaction by nailfold capillaroscopy, as well as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR). HMOD was defined according to the categorical thresholds for each domain, except for capillary rarefaction in which case the categorization of patients was made by the median., Results: We included 146 hypertensive patients (men, 43.8%; mean age, 56.6 ± 10.8 years; BMI, 30.3 ± 4.9 kg/m2; FLI, 57.2 ± 27.7; office, systolic/diastolic, and 24-h BP, 153.5 ± 15.8/94.7 ± 9.8 mmHg, and 140.5 ± 9.9/83.8 ± 9 mmHg, respectively). Patients with FLI at least 60 (n = 76) were younger, with higher BMI and 24-h SBP, compared with patients with FLI less than 60 (n = 70). FLI was associated with HMOD after adjustment (LVM indexed to height, P = 0.004; PWV, P = 0.047; reduced capillary density, P = 0.001; and logACR, P = 0.003). High-risk FLI phenotype and FLI z scores increased the likelihood of any HMOD by 3.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.6-7.1) and 5.4 (95% confidence interval, 2.3-15.0) times, respectively. However, the increased number of HMOD domains has progressively stopped being determined by the FLI z scores (P = 0.65)., Conclusion: High-risk FLI pattern was associated with various HMOD, and may re-classify never-treated hypertensive patients without diabetes mellitus into a higher cardiovascular risk level., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To evaluate whether different hypertension phenotypes, namely, isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) and systolic/diastolic hypertension (SDH) have a differential outcome effect by clinic and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) measurements., Methods: We prospectively evaluated in 569 never-treated patients with sustained hypertension (age 52.6 ± 11.6 years; men 55%; clinic BP 150 ± 15/95.5 ± 10 mmHg, systolic/diastolic; 24-h ambulatory BP 128.9 ± 12.6/80.6 ± 9.7) the incidence of major cardiovascular (CV) events within 5 years, after adjustment for confounders, including the rate of BP control and the weighted follow-up BP., Results: All participants received antihypertensive drug treatment (mean number of drugs 1.9 ± 1.1; follow-up visits 4.6/patient). Average clinic BP achieved during follow-up was 136 ± 12.6/83.9 ± 9.4 mmHg, with 39% of participants having clinic BP less than 140/90 mmHg in at least 75% of their visits, and 24% in 25-75% of visits. Prevalence of hypertension phenotypes defined using BP differed from that using ambulatory BP, whereas integration of both BP measurements reclassified the initial phenotype to another in 18% of participants. Although, no differential outcome effect was observed between clinic IDH and SDH assessed using clinic or ambulatory BP measurements, clinic BP-based ISH was associated with a higher outcome incidence than the IDH and SDH phenotypes (hazard ratio 4.8, 95% confidence interval 1.4-17.0, P = 0.015). ISH diagnosed by integration of clinic and ambulatory BP, also increased the outcome (hazard ratio 4.0, 95% confidence interval 1.0-15.6, P = 0.046)., Conclusion: In hypertensive patients at low/moderate CV risk, IDH and SDH phenotypes defined by clinic BP measurements, equally determined CV events but to a lower extent compared with ISH., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The efficacy of renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) has been affirmed by a number of recent clinical studies, despite controversies in this field over the last five years. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that hypertension experts debate the merits of RDN by revealing and expressing their personal beliefs and perspectives regarding this procedure., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Greek leaders of the Hypertension Excellence Centers with the use of a closed-type questionnaire specifically designed to elicit information and evaluate the respondent's views and perspectives about RDN efficacy, safety and ideal target patient population., Results: A total of 36 participants completed the survey. Based on the results, RDN was considered efficient (91.7%) and safe (94.5%), while the overwhelming majority of the participants felt confident in the long-term efficacy (88.9%) of the intervention and that it lacks reliable predictors of blood pressure response (94.5%). Patients with resistant (91.7%), ultra-resistant (94.4%), and uncontrolled hypertension (80.6%) were suggested as ideal candidates for RDN. Establishing a close co-operation between interventionalists and hypertension experts was considered essential to ensure the efficacy (97.2%) as well as the safety (97.3%) of the procedure., Conclusion: The vast majority of Greek hypertension experts surveyed were convinced of the efficacy and safety of RDN based on the preponderance of available scientific and clinical data. Identification of the ideal patient group remains controversial. Respondents generally agreed on the necessity of building close collaborative relationships between interventionalists and hypertension experts in order to improve RDN clinical outcome., (Copyright © 2021 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This ESH Position Paper 2021 with updated proposed recommendations was deemed necessary after the publication of a set of new pivotal sham-controlled randomized clinical trials (RCTs), which provided important information about the efficacy and safety of endovascular device-based renal denervation (RDN) for hypertension treatment. RDN is effective in reducing or interrupting the sympathetic signals to the kidneys and decreasing whole body sympathetic activity. Five independent, fully completed, sham-controlled RCTs provide conclusive evidence that RDN lowers ambulatory and office blood pressure (BP) to a significantly greater extent than sham treatment. BP-lowering efficacy is evident both in patients with and without concomitant antihypertensive medication. The average decrease of 10 mmHg in office BP is estimated to lower the incidence of cardiovascular events by 25-30%, based on meta-analyses of RCTs using pharmacological treatment. Neither peri-procedural, nor short-term or long-term adverse events or safety signals (available up to 3 years) have been observed. Implementing RDN as an innovative third option in the armamentarium of antihypertensive treatment requires a structured process that ensures the appropriate performance of the endovascular RDN procedure and adequate selection of hypertensive patients. The latter should also incorporate patients' perspective and preference that needs to be respected in a shared decision-making process., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Epidemiological studies have shown that chronically elevated resting heart rate (HR) is significantly associated with organ damage, morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients including hypertensive patients. Evidence is also available that an increased HR reflects sympathetic nervous system overdrive which is also known to adversely affect organ structure and function and to increase the risk of unfavourable outcomes in several diseases. The causal relationship between elevated HR, organ damage, and cardiovascular outcomes can thus be explained by its relationship with sympathetic cardiovascular influences although evidence of sympathetically-independent adverse effect of HR increases per se makes it more complex. Interventions that target HR by modulating the sympathetic nervous system have therefore a strong pathophysiological and clinical rationale. As most clinical guidelines now recommend the use of combination therapies in patients with hypertension, it might be desirable to consider as combination components drugs which lower HR, if HR is elevated such as, according to guideliines, when it is above 80 b/min., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Use of drug combinations is recommended by hypertension guidelines for most patients because of the greater blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect compared with monotherapy. However, no evidence is available on outcome benefits of treatment strategies based on drug combinations vs. simpler treatment regimens, using data from randomized clinical trials (RCTs). We evaluated drug combination therapies of different complexity., Methods: Electronic databases were searched for BP-lowering RCTs that compared combination treatment or monotherapy vs. placebo, no-treatment or less-complex treatment. Combination treatment was considered as follows: background treatment continued during follow-up on top of the trial drug(s) of interest and drug(s) were added to the initial drug(s) of interest in the majority of the patients. Monotherapy was considered whenever pre-randomization treatment was withdrawn or absent and a single drug was administered at randomization. Complexity of treatment indicates the higher averaged number of daily medications used in the eligible RCTs., Results: We selected 93 trials (290 304 patients; follow-up, 3.9 years). The on-treatment mean number of drugs was 2.10 and 0.99 in the more and less actively treated patients, respectively. Compared with placebo, no-treatment or less-complex treatment, combination treatments of any complexity (mean number of drugs, 1.40 vs. 0.41, 2.32 vs. 0.48, 2.56 vs. 1.62 and 3.14 vs. 2.19) were associated with reduction of all or most fatal and nonfatal outcomes. There was also an increased rate of side effects leading to treatment discontinuation, although in absolute numbers the benefit usually prevailed., Conclusion: These data provide randomized-based trial evidence that antihypertensive combination treatment up to three or more drugs is protective. The net benefit, however, may be attenuated when side effects are considered., (Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) constitutes the complex anatomic and physiologic interface between the intravascular compartment and the central nervous system, and its integrity is paramount for the maintenance of the very sensitive homeostasis of the central nervous system. Arterial hypertension is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The BBB has been shown to be disrupted in essential hypertension. BBB integrity is important for central autonomic control and this may be implicated in the pathophysiology of hypertension. On the other hand, evidence from experimental studies indicates that BBB disruption can be present in both hypertensive disease and dementia syndromes, suggesting a possibly key position of loss of BBB integrity in the pathophysiological pathways linking arterial hypertension with cognitive decline. Although much still remains to be elucidated with respect to the exact underlying mechanisms, the discovery of novel pathological pathways has changed our understanding of adult dementia and central nervous system disease overall, pointing out-in parallel-new potential therapeutic targets. The aim of this review is to summarize current scientific knowledge relevant to the pathophysiologic pathways that are involved in the disruption of the BBB function and potentially mediate hypertension-induced cognitive impairment. In parallel, we underline the differential cognition-preserving effect of several antihypertensive agents of similar blood pressure-lowering capacity, highlighting the presence of previously under-recognized BBB-protective actions of these drugs.

Background: Meta-analyses from randomized outcome-based trials have challenged the role of beta-blockers for the treatment of hypertension. However, because they often include trials on diseases other than hypertension, the role of these drugs in the choice of the blood pressure (BP)-lowering treatment strategies remains unclear., Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomized trials that compared beta-blockers vs. placebo/no-treatment/less-intense treatment (BP-lowering trials) or beta-blockers vs. other antihypertensive agents in patients with or without hypertension (comparison trials). Among BP-lowering trials and according to baseline comorbidity, we separately considered trials in hypertension, trials without chronic heart failure or acute myocardial infarction, and trials with either chronic heart failure or acute myocardial infarction. Seven fatal and nonfatal outcomes were calculated (random-effects model) for BP-lowering or comparison trials., Results: A total of 84 BP-lowering or comparison trials (165 850 patients) were eligible. In 67 BP-lowering trials (68 478 patients; mean follow-up 2.5 years; baseline SBP/DBP, 136/82 mmHg), beta blockers were associated with a lower incidence of major cardiovascular events [risk ratio 0.85 and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.78-0.92] and all-cause death (risk ratio 0.81 and 95% CI 0.75-0.86). Restriction of the analysis to five trials recruiting exclusively hypertensive patients (18 724 patients; mean follow-up 5.1 years; baseline SBP/DBP 163/94 mmHg), a -10.5/-7.0 mmHg BP decrease was accompanied by reduction of major cardiovascular events by 22% (95% CI, 6-34). In 24 comparison trials (103 764 patients, 3.92 years of mean follow-up), beta-blockers compared with other agents were less protective for stroke and all-cause death in all trials and in trials conducted exclusively in hypertensive patients (averaged risk ratio increase 20 and 6%, respectively, for both cases)., Conclusion: Compared with other antihypertensive agents, beta-blockers appear to be substantially less protective against stroke and overall mortality. However, they exhibit a substantial risk-reducing ability for all events when prescribed to lower BP in patients with modest or more clear BP elevations, and therefore can be used as additional agents in hypertensive patients.

Despite the availability of a numerous antihypertensive agents, hypertension treatment and control rates remain low in many countries. The role of the sympathetic nervous system has long been recognized, but recent sham control renal denervation studies demonstrated conflicting results. In this reviewe paper, the authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine outcomes of sham-controlled studies utilizing new technologies and procedures. Six published randomized, sham-controlled studies were included in this meta-analysis. Of those, three trials used the first-generation radiofrequency renal denervation device and technique and the other three used second-generation devices and techniques. In total, 981 patients with hypertension were randomized in all 6 trials to undergo renal denervation (n = 585) or sham procedure (n = 396). Overall, renal denervation resulted in a decrease of 24-hours systolic ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) by 3.62 mm Hg (95% CI: -5.28--1.96; I 2  = 0%), compared to sham procedure (GRADE: low). Renal denervation also reduced daytime systolic ABP by 5.51 mm Hg (95% CI: -7.79--3.23; I 2  = 0%), compared to sham procedure but not nighttime systolic ABP. Office systolic blood pressure was reduced by 5.47 mm Hg (95% CI -8.10--2.84; I 2  = 0%), compared to sham control. Further analysis demonstrated that second-generation devices were effective in reducing blood pressure, whereas the first-generation devices were not. These results indicate that effective renal denervation can result in significant and clinically meaningful blood pressure reduction. The second-generation devices provide better renal nerve ablation., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Hypertension is a major risk of cardiovascular diseases. This study's aim was to examine associations between hypertension and a priori known lifestyle risk factors, including weight status and Mediterranean diet adherence. The study included a representative sample of the adult population (N = 3775 (40.8% males)), from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS), which took place from September 2013 to May 2015. Demographic and anthropometric data were collected using validated questionnaires, and blood pressure (BP) measurements were performed for the two main metropolitan areas (N = 1040; 41.1%). Hypertension diagnosis was according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) guidelines. Weighted proportions, extended Mantel-Haenszel (M-H) analyses, and multiple logistic regressions (for the survey data) were performed. Mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were 118.6 mmHg and 72.2 mmHg respectively, with both values being higher in males compared to females in all age groups ( p < 0.001). Study participants with hyperlipidemia or diabetes, and those overweight, were almost twice as likely to be hypertensives, with the odds increasing to 4 for those obese ( p for all, < 0.05). Stricter Mediterranean diet adherence significantly decreased the likelihood of hypertension by 36% (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.439, 0.943), and a significant interaction was found between Mediterranean diet adherence and weight status on hypertension. The presence of hypertension is clustered with comorbidities, but is significantly associated with modifiable risk factors, including Mediterranean diet and weight status, underlining the need for personalized medical nutritional treatment.

Arterial hypertension is a well-established cardiovascular risk factor, and blood pressure (BP) control has largely improved the prognosis of hypertensive patients. A number of studies have assessed the role of BP levels in the prognosis of patients with acute coronary syndromes. Pathophysiologic links of hypertension to acute myocardial infarction (MI) include endothelial dysfunction, autonomic nervous system dysregulation, impaired vasoreactivity, and a genetic substrate. A history of hypertension is highly prevalent among patients presenting with MI, and some, but not all, studies have associated it with a worse prognosis. Some data support that low levels of admission and in-hospital BP may indicate an increased risk for subsequent events. Risk scores used in patients with MI have, therefore, included BP levels and a history of hypertension in their variables. Of note, good long-term BP control, ideally initiated prior to discharge, should be pursued in order to improve secondary prevention., (©2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Cardio-oncology aims to mitigate adverse cardiovascular manifestations in cancer survivors, but treatment-induced hypertension or aggravated hypertension has received less attention in these high cardiovascular risk patients., Methods: In this systematic review, we searched literature for contemporary data on the prevalence, pathophysiologic mechanisms, treatment implications and preventive strategies of hypertension in patients under antineoplastic therapy., Results: Several classes of antineoplastic drugs, including mainly vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors, cisplatin derivatives, corticosteroids or radiation therapy were consistently associated with increased odds for new-onset hypertension or labile hypertensive status in previous controlled patients. Moreover, hypertension constitutes a major risk factor for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, which is the most serious cardiovascular adverse effect of antineoplastic therapy. Despite the heterogeneity of pooled studies, the pro-hypertensive profile of examined drug classes could be attributed to common structural and functional disorders. Importantly, certain antihypertensive drugs are considered to be more effective in the management of hypertension in this population and may partially attenuate indirect complications of cancer treatment, such as progressive development of cardiomyopathy and/or cardiovascular death. Nonpharmacological approaches to alleviate hypertension in cancer patients are also described, albeit adjudicated as less effective in general., Conclusion: A growing body of evidence suggests that multiple antineoplastic agents increase the rate of progression of hypertension. Physicians need to balance the life-saving cancer treatment and the inflated risk of adverse cardiovascular events due to suboptimal management of hypertension in order to achieve improved clinical outcomes and sustained survival for their patients.

Background: Arterial stiffness is linked to the progression of atherosclerosis, while activation of vitamin D receptor exerts favorable cardiovascular effects in patients with renal insufficiency. In this study, we investigated the effects of oral treatment with paricalcitol, a potent vitamin D receptor activator, on arterial stiffness and osteopontin, a marker of atherosclerosis, in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and secondary hyperparathyroidism., Methods: We followed up 29 treated hypertensive patients (mean age: 74.1 years, 19 men, office blood pressure = 132/85 mmHg) with CKD stages 3-5 (mean glomerular filtration rate [GFR] = 19.4 ml/min/1.73 m 2 ) who were on therapy with oral paricalcitol for 1 year. The control group consisted of 10 age-, sex-, and GFR-matched hypertensive patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism., Results: After 1 year of treatment with paricalcitol compared to baseline, there was no statistical difference in levels of GFR, office blood pressure, and osteopontin (p = NS for all), while carotid-femoral PWV was reduced from 11.8 ± 2.6 m/s to 11.2 ± 2.4 m/s (p < 0.05). The control group exhibited no significant changes in carotid-femoral PWV (p = NS)., Conclusions: Treatment with oral paricalcitol in hypertensive subjects suffering from CKD stages 3-5 and secondary hyperparathyroidism is accompanied by amelioration of arterial stiffness as reflected by the reduction of carotid-femoral PWV., (Copyright © 2018 Hellenic Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Orthostatic hypertension (OHT), that is, sustained increase in blood pressure after standing, is an increasingly recognized cardiovascular disorder having been examined in much fewer studies compared with orthostatic hypotension (OH). However, in both OHT and OH, dysfunction of the autonomous nervous system is considered to be the primary pathophysiological disturbance, while significant associations with essential hypertension have been observed. Although in many studies OHT has been related to subclinical or clinical target organ damage, there is also evidence denying such an association. Because OHT is defined variably across different studies, the comparison of relevant outcomes is at least problematic. Since evidence about OHT treatment is exclusively based on limited non-randomized studies, no specific recommendations have been developed. Therefore, both the prognostic role and the clinical significance of OHT remain largely undefined. The aim of the present review is to summarize the available evidence regarding the definition, diagnosis, pathophysiology, prognostic role and treatment of OHT and highlight potential clinical implications of this underestimated condition., (©2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Hypertension (HT) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and might precipitate pathology of the aortic valve., Objective: To investigate the association of HT with aortic dysfunction (including both aortic regurgitation and stenosis) and the impact of antihypertensive treatment on the natural course of underlying aortic disease., Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature for all relevant articles assessing the correlation between HT and phenotype of aortic disease., Results: Co-existence of HT with aortic stenosis and aortic regurgitation is highly prevalent in hypertensive patients and predicts a worse prognosis. Certain antihypertensive agents may improve haemodynamic parameters (aortic jet velocity, aortic regurgitation volume) and remodeling of the left ventricle, but there is no strong evidence of benefit regarding clinical outcomes. Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, among other vasodilators, are well-tolerated in aortic stenosis., Conclusion: Several lines of evidence support a detrimental association between HT and aortic valve disease. Therefore, HT should be promptly treated in aortic valvulopathy. Despite conventional wisdom, specific vasodilators can be used with caution in aortic stenosis., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered cardiac arrhythmia globally and substantially increases the risk for thromboembolic disease. Albeit, 20% of all cases of AF remain undiagnosed. On the other hand, hypertension amplifies the risk for both AF occurrences through hemodynamic and non-hemodynamic mechanisms and cerebrovascular ischemia. Under this prism, prompt diagnosis of undetected AF in hypertensive patients is of pivotal importance., Method: We conducted a review of the literature for studies with biomarkers that could be used in AF diagnosis as well as in predicting the transition of paroxysmal AF to sustained AF, especially in hypertensive patients., Results: Potential biomarkers for AF can be broadly categorized into electrophysiological, morphological and molecular markers that reflect the underlying mechanisms of adverse atrial remodeling. We focused on P-wave duration and dispersion as electrophysiological markers, and left atrial (LA) and LA appendage size, atrial fibrosis, left ventricular hypertrophy and aortic stiffness as structural biomarkers, respectively. The heterogeneous group of molecular biomarkers of AF encompasses products of the neurohormonal cascade, including NT-pro BNP, BNP, MR-pro ANP, polymorphisms of the ACE and convertases such as corin and furin. In addition, soluble biomarkers of inflammation (i.e. CRP, IL-6) and fibrosis (i.e. TGF-1 and matrix metalloproteinases) were assessed for predicting AF., Conclusion: The reviewed individual biomarkers might be a valuable addition to current diagnostic tools but the ideal candidate is expected to combine multiple indices of atrial remodeling in order to effectively detect both AF and adverse characteristics of high risk patients with hypertension., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

In recent years, the Angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor [Ang-(1-7)/Mas] sub-branch of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) in the brain, and Angiotensin Type 2 Receptors (AT2R), have attracted scientific interest, as there is evidence that they constitute an essential pathway in cardiovascular regulation, in health and in disease. By acting centrally, the Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis - that has been termed 'the axis of good'- can exert blood pressure-lowering effects, while also favourably altering baroreflex sensitivity and noradrenergic neurotransmission. Thus, research has focused on the possible neuro- and cardioprotective effects of this pathway in the setting of cardiovascular disease, ultimately aiming to evaluate the potential for development of novel therapeutic strategies based on its modulation. We summarize the available evidence from experimental studies in this context, aiming to assess current limits of scientific knowledge relevant to this newly-described 'player' in haemodynamic regulation, that may become a potential therapeutic target., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Spectral Doppler ultrasonography provides the evaluation of renal resistive index (RRI), a noninvasive and reproducible measure to investigate arterial compliance and/or resistance. RRI seems to possess an important role in the evaluation of diverse cases of secondary hypertension. In essential hypertension, RRI is associated with subclinical markers of target organ damage and reflects renal disease progression beyond albuminuria and creatinine clearance. Also, RRI can estimate cardiovascular and renal risk. The evaluation of RRI may also help the therapeutic decisions. Given its simple assessment, RRI emerges as a simple method and a "multifunctional" tool that could help on the cardiovascular risk evaluation of the hypertensive patient., (©2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

: This ESH update was deemed necessary with the publication of new results of sham-controlled randomized blinded prospective trials with renal denervation (RDN). Proof of concept studies and first randomized trials (some were sham-controlled) displayed discrepant results about the efficacy of RDN. Three sham-controlled randomized trials of the 2.0 generation yielded now similarity in the average blood pressure decrease following RDN. Reduction of ambulatory blood pressure was approximately 5 to 7 mmHg and of office blood pressure 10 mmHg. Such a decrease in blood pressure by pharmacologic therapy has been found to be associated with lower incidence of cardiovascular events in particular with respect to heart failure and stroke by roughly 25%. Nevertheless, some questions about renal denervation are unanswered. The heterogeneity of the blood pressure-lowering response point to the clinical need to identify predictors for efficacy, and questions on long-term safety could not have been answered due to the short duration of the sham-controlled randomized clinical trials.

Background/purpose: Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) has been introduced to lower blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic activity in patients with uncontrolled hypertension with at best equivocal results. It has been postulated that anatomic and procedural elements introduce unaccounted variability and yet little is known of the impact of renal anatomy and procedural parameters on BP response to RDN., Methods/materials: Anatomical parameters such as length and diameter were analyzed by quantitative vascular analysis and the prevalence of accessory renal arteries and renal artery disease were documented in 150 patients with resistant hypertension undergoing bilateral RDN using a mono-electrode radiofrequency catheter (Symplicity Flex, Medtronic)., Results: Accessory renal arteries and renal artery disease were present in 56 (37%) and 14 patients (9%), respectively. At 6-months, 24 h-ambulatory BP was reduced by 11/6 mm Hg (p < 0.001 for both). Change of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was not related to the presence of accessory renal arteries (p = 0.543) or renal artery disease (p = 0.598). Patients with at least one main renal artery diameter ≤ 4 mm had a more pronounced reduction of 24 h-ambulatory SBP compared to patients where both arteries were >4 mm (-19 vs. -10 mmHg; p = 0.038). Neither the length of the renal artery nor the number of RF ablations influenced 24 h-ambulatory BP reduction at 6 months., Conclusions: 24 h-ambulatory BP lowering was most pronounced in patients with smaller renal artery diameter but not related to renal artery length, accessory arteries or renal artery disease. Further, there was no dose-response relationship observed with increasing number of ablations., Condensed Abstract: Because little is known of the impact of renal anatomy and procedural parameters on blood pressure (BP) response to renal denervation (RDN), anatomical and procedural data were analyzed in 150 patients undergoing bilateral RDN. BP lowering was most pronounced in patients with smaller renal artery diameter but not related to renal artery length, the presence of renal artery disease or accessory renal arteries. Further, there was no dose-response relationship observed with increasing number of ablations., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Results of the SPRINT study have been disputed, based on the assumption that unattended BP measurements do not correlate with usual BP measurements. In this study, the authors investigated the correlation of unattended SPRINT-like measurements with other conventional measurements. All BP measurements were taken with the patient seated in a comfortable chair with the legs uncrossed and not speaking during the procedure. For the purpose of this study, sixty-five patients, mostly male (93%), were recruited from our hypertension clinic and all were on antihypertensive medication (av 3.0 ± 1.1). Patients were at high cardiovascular risk with high rates of comorbidities, av age 68 ± 12 years, 49% with diabetes, 34% with mild CKD (CKD 1-3, average eGFR 55.0 ± 13 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), and 20% with history of stable coronary artery disease. All BP measurements were similar with no statistically significant difference (one-way ANOVA, P = 0.621). Compared to unattended SPRINT BP values (139.77 ± 19.22/75.42 ± 11.72 mm Hg), the clinic BP measurements were numerically slightly higher but with a NS P value (P = 0.163). Similarly, unattended BP measurements were similar to values taken by the clinic physician. In a smaller cohort of 11 patients, the authors compared unobserved vs observed SPRINT-like BP measurements, and in 13 patients, the authors compared unobserved SPRINT-like BP measurements to average home BP measurements (Table 3). There were no significant differences between any of the subgroups (one-way ANOVA, P = 0.816 for systolic and P = 0.803 for diastolic). The authors conclude that unattended BP measurements taken (the SPRINT way) are similar to other conventional office blood pressure measurements., (©2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To provide a comprehensive review summarizing the existing evidence on the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hypertension (HT) independent of other components of metabolic syndrome., Methods: We searched the literature through Medline and the Cochrane Library for studies evaluating the relationship between hypertension and fatty liver disease., Results: Studies testing this association are limited, but agree that HT and fatty liver disease are inter-related independent of other components of the metabolic syndrome such as obesity and diabetes mellitus. Clinical evidence shows that NAFLD is associated with new-onset HT, whereas increased blood pressure is related to the development of fatty liver disease and the possible subsequent progression to liver fibrosis. Insulin resistance and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) might provide potential pathophysiologic links between these clinical entities. Until further evidence is available, patients with HT should be meticulously evaluated and treated for fatty liver disease and vice versa. RAAS inhibitors have been tested in NAFLD, presenting a favorable profile by decreasing insulin resistance and fibrosis progression., Conclusion: NAFLD and HT are associated independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Insulin resistance appears to be the main linking mechanism. Although RAAS inhibitors are the most beneficial treatment option for HT in patients with NAFLD, randomized studies on the administration of these agents in HT patients with NAFDL are warranted to provide optimal treatment options in these high cardiovascular risk individuals.

There is robust evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies showing that elevated heart rate (HR) constitutes a powerful predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension, underlining the significance of HR measurement in them. Autonomous nervous system dysfunction and atherosclerosis are important features in the pathogenesis of the untoward events. However, the relationship between HR and blood pressure (BP) is complex and differs depending on the type of BP measurement which is considered. This differentiation implicates complex physiological mechanisms and is of clinical importance regarding the divergent effect of the different types of antihypertensive agents on these parameters. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between HR and BP based on epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies.

Aims: Prospective observational studies have suggested that renal denervation (RDN) is associated with target organ damage (TOD) regression. Our aim is to review and meta-analyze the available evidence for the effect of RDN on TOD., Methods: We searched literature for studies with eligible content and performed random-effect meta-analyses for the following outcomes: left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left atrial volume index (LAVI), E to A wave velocities of trans-mitral inflow (E/A) and E wave velocity to Em velocity from tissue Doppler imaging (E/Em), central augmentation index (AIx) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV)., Results: Seventeen studies (n = 698 patients) were incorporated in the present meta-analysis. RDN led to a regression of LVMI by 14.17 g/m (95% CI -18.33 to -10.01, P < 0.001) and by 4.75 g/m (95% CI -7.83 to -1.67, P = 0.003) for echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance, respectively. The pooled effect of RDN to E/A was not significant [0.04 (95% CI -0.03 to 0.12, P = 0.252)], whereas a decline of E/Em [-0.73 (95% CI -1.38 to -0.08, P = 0.03)] was observed. The pooled effect to LAVI [-1.67 ml/m (95% CI -4.60 to 1.27, P = 0.266)] reached statistical significance only in sensitivity analysis. RDN had beneficial effects in both AIx [-7.05 (95% CI -9.12 to -4.98, P < 0.001)] and PWV [1.54 m/s (95% CI -2.16 to -0.92, P < 0.001)]. Metaregression analysis revealed an independent effect of RDN on TOD regarding baseline blood pressure and blood pressure reduction., Conclusion: Catheter-based RDN can favorably affect TOD.

Data regarding the prognosis of resistant hypertension (RHTN) with respect to its severity is limited. We investigated the cardiovascular risk of severe RHTN in a prospective observational study. A cohort of 1700 hypertensive patient with treated uncontrolled HTN was followed for a mean period of 3.6 ± 1.8 years. At baseline, standard clinical and laboratory workup was performed, including testing for secondary causes of RHT where applicable. Three groups were identified depending on presence of RHTN (office-based uncontrolled HTN under at least three drugs including a diuretic) and levels of office systolic blood pressure (BP): 1187 patients (70%) without RHTN, 313 (18%) with not-severe RHTN (systolic BP < 160 mmHg) and 200 (12%) with severe RHTN (systolic BP ≥ 160 mmHg). Endpoint of interest was cardiovascular morbidity set as the composite of coronary heart disease and stroke. During follow-up, incidence rates of cardiovascular events per 1000 person-years were 7.1 cases in the non-RHTN group, 12.4 cases in the not-severe RHTN group and 18 cases in the severe RHTN group. Unadjusted analysis showed that compared to uncontrolled patients without RHTN, patients with not-severe RHTN exhibited a similar risk but patients with severe RHTN had a significantly higher risk, by 2.5 times (CI: 1.28-4.73, p = 0.007). Even after multivariate adjustment for established risk factors including BP levels and isolated systolic HTN, severe RHTN remained as an independent predictor of the cardiovascular outcome (OR: 2.30, CI: 1.00-5.29, p = 0.05). In conclusion, among treated yet uncontrolled hypertensive patients, severe RHTN exhibits a significantly higher cardiovascular risk indicating the need for prompt management.

Purpose of Review: Hypertension consists a major risk factor for cardiovascular events. Despite the proven effectiveness of antihypertensive treatment, approximately half of hypertensive patients have inadequate blood pressure control. Non-adherence to medication has been shown to be an important barrier to achieving adequate blood pressure control and nurse interventions can substantially improve therapeutic compliance. We sought to evaluate the role of nurse interventions in alleviating non-adherence to medication in patients with hypertension by performing a systematic review of the literature for all relevant articles., Recent Findings: Ten clinical studies were identified. The majority of studies reported beneficial effect of nursing intervention on treatment adherence in hypertensive patients. Telephone contacts and home visits were found to be the most effective educational approaches. Although comorbidities are considered to be an important barrier to adherence, there was not enough evidence to elucidate this aspect. Identifying specific factors that affect behavioral change in the setting of a successful intervention was difficult due to high heterogeneity among studies regarding materials and methods. Nursing interventions were shown to alleviate non-adherence to medication in patients with hypertension. Large well designed clinical trials are needed to evaluate specific factors that are associated with effective interventions.

Purpose of Review: To summarize the evidence regarding the distribution of renal nerves and their patterns of anatomic variations in animal and human settings. Moreover, the methodology and results of studies regarding renal nerve stimulation (RNS) in both preclinical and clinical models are presented., Recent Findings: There are differences regarding the number and the size of renal fibers, as well as their distance from the lumen in the diverse parts of the main renal arteries and the branches. In both animals and humans, RNS is safe and results in an increase of blood pressure (BP) while the effect on heart rate varies. In this context, the ConfidenHT™ system constitutes an integrated solution for effective RNS in humans. Due to the diversity of renal nerve anatomy in humans, arterial areas for more effective renal denervation cannot be homogenously defined. The concept of mapping of renal nerves can improve completeness of renal denervation therapies by means of integrated RNS solutions such as the ConfidenHT™ system.

Objectives: Although mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs) have been proposed as effective fourth-line blood pressure (BP)-lowering agents in resistant hypertension, this effect in hypertension at-large is unclear. We evaluated whether MRAs-mediated BP lowering is both effective and safe against controls and whether the extent of BP lowering differs between resistant hypertension and nonresistant hypertension ., Methods: We searched Medline and the Cochrane Collaboration Library databases from 1991 to mid-September 2017 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), in which MRAs were compared with placebo or other active drugs. Main outcomes were SBP and DBP lowering and treatment-related discontinuations. Continuous outcome variables were pooled as mean difference and the categorical variables as risk ratios, both with 95% confidence interval (CI). The risk of bias was assessed by using the Cochrane collaboration tool., Results: We included 21 RCTs (2736 patients) of MRAs compared either with placebo or with active agents. Whenever all selected trials were analyzed together (MRAs versus controls), the resulting BP reduction was -7.6 (95% CI -10 to -5.3) mmHg for SBP and -2.5 (95% CI -4.2 to -0.8) mmHg for DBP, while limiting our analysis to MRAs versus placebo mean difference was increased by -2.1/-1.3 mmHg. We find no differential BP lowering between resistant hypertension and non-resistant hypertension. Treatment-related discontinuations were not different compared with either placebo or active comparators., Conclusion: As the extent of BP lowering following treatment with MRAs in patients with and without resistant hypertension was similar and not accompanied by increased rate of treatment-related discontinuations compared with other active comparators, these agents may have a role in BP lowering in already treated hypertensive patients who did not reach target BP values.

: European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend calculation of estimated glomerular filtration rate and evaluation of urinary albumin excretion rate as routine tests in the initial evaluation and during the follow-up of all hypertensive patients. However, from a clinical point of view, renal ultrasound - a noninvasive, readily available and cheap imaging modality - could contribute to the better evaluation of a hypertensive patient by identifying common causes of secondary hypertension (HTN) originating from the kidney and more recently by detecting renal injury in severe or long-standing essential HTN by measuring renal resistive indexes. The purpose of this review is to summarize the actual evidence which could support a larger use of renal ultrasound in the work-up of patients with newly diagnosed HTN.

Arterial hypertension is a disease that still affects a major part of the population worldwide, and leads to fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. From the CDC statistical analysis, as regarding to United States, 1 of every 3 adults has high blood pressure, and οnly about half (54%) of them have it under control. Furthermore, all that leads to a nation cost about $46 billion each year. Efforts to find new ways to regulate arterial hypertension are therefore imperative. In our days, a lot of references have been made to the use of a new therapeutic combination, that of azilsartan - an innovative ARB, in combination with chlorthalidone. Ιn fact, it is a combination now prescribed in a number of countries. A significant number of trials shows both azilsartan vs popular antihypertensive drugs, as well as chlorthalidone vs chlorothiazide, to present a better antihypertensive effect. This effect is even greater when the two substances are combined. In this article, we will try to present the latest findings concerning the efficacy, safety and clinical utility of this combination, as well as its adverse events, in comparison with other widely used therapeutic options., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)