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Objective: In patients with resistant hypertension, percutaneous placement of an iliac arteriovenous coupler device leads to a reduction of blood pressure (BP) via decreased total vascular resistance and improved arterial compliance. However, long-term efficacy and safety need to be further explored. We report on the first case of 3.5-year follow-up in a patient who underwent implantation of an iliac arteriovenous coupler device. Results: A patient with resistant hypertension was admitted to hospital. Despite treatment with six anti-hypertensive drugs, his BP was poorly controlled. Previously, he had undergone renal denervation, which did not cause a significant BP decrease. Therefore, an arteriovenous coupler device was implanted, leading to an immediate and significant BP decrease. The patient was discharged with an office BP of 122/71 mmHg. After 3 months, there was a sustained BP decrease (−14/9 mmHg), whereas later, it was fluctuant (office BP: 147–173/85–95 mmHg, ABPM: 153–166/81–94 mmHg) probably due to medication non-adherence confirmed by a urinary toxicological screening test. Follow-up right heart catheterization showed changes in hemodynamic parameters related to volume congestion, which were accompanied by progressive dyspnea and weight gain. This was controlled by an optimized diuretic therapy. Additionally, an invasive closure maneuver was performed, leading to an immediate BP increase after closure and a similar decrease after re-opening of the anastomosis, verifying its proper long-term function. Conclusion: The implantation of an iliac arteriovenous coupler device appears to be a promising and effective method to decrease BP and therefore reduce cardiovascular risk in patients with severe, treatment-resistant hypertension.

Background: In a large cross-sectional analysis we analyzed various vascular parameters in the renal, retinal and systemic circulation, with the goal to identify which vascular parameter of early organ damage is the earliest that can be clinically detected. Methods: In 111 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and 54 subjects without T2DM we assessed urinary albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), retinal capillary flow (RCF), intercapillary distance (ICD) as parameters of capillary rarefaction, wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) of the retinal arterioles [all assessed by Scanning Laser Doppler Flowmetry], and central systolic pressure(cSBP) and central pulse pressure (cPP) [measured by pulse wave analysis, Syphygmocor]. Results: Compared to subjects without T2DM, patients with type 2 diabetes (duration: mean 63.9 ± 56.4, range 1-271 months) were older (59.8 ± 7.3 vs. 43.4 ± 12.9 years, p Non-T2DM-subjects (n=54)Patients with T2DM (n= 111)Unadjusted p-valueAge- gender- adjusted p-valueAdjusted p-value (potential confounders)ICD (µm)20.8 ± 3.523.9 ± 5.1 Conclusion: These data suggest that at similar blood pressure capillary rarefication in the retinal circulation (ICD), eGFR in the renal circulation and central pulse pressure (cPP) of large arteries are earlier detectable than vascular remodeling of the micro- (WLR, RCF, UACR) and macrocirculation (cSPB) in patients with T2DM. Disclosure R.E. Schmieder: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer AG, Berlin-Chemie AG, Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Other Relationship; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited. Other Relationship; Self; Novartis AG. Consultant; Self; Novartis AG. Speaker's Bureau; Self; Servier. D. Kannenkeril: None. M.V. Karg: None. A. Bosch: None. J.M. Harazny: None. C. Ott: None.

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are increasingly used in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH). There is experimental evidence for blood pressure (BP) independent effects of mineralocorticoid receptor blockade on cardiovascular target organ damage. We hypothesized that low-dose eplerenone (50 mg) will reduce left ventricular mass (LVM) beyond its BP-lowering effects.We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group study in 51 patients with TRH. Patients were allocated to receive either eplerenone 50 mg or placebo for 6 months, while other antihypertensive agents could be added in both groups to achieve a BP target of less than 140/90 mmHg. LVM was assessed by MRI before and after treatment.Baseline office BP was similar in the eplerenone and the placebo group (166 ± 21/91 ± 15 versus 159 ± 19/94 ± 8 mmHg, n.s.). BP was similarly reduced in the eplerenone versus the placebo group (-35 ± 20/-15 ± 11 versus -30 ± 19/-13 ± 7 mmHg, n.s.). However, LVM was reduced only in the eplerenone group (from 155 ± 33 to 136 ± 33 g, P 0.001), but not in the placebo group (152 ± 32 versus 148 ± 38 g, P = 0.45).Despite similar BP-lowering, only patients with TRH who were allocated to eplerenone experienced a reduction of LVM. Thus, our data suggest that in patients with TRH, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists should be used preferentially in order to achieve an effective reduction of LVM along with the improvement of BP control.

Objective:Epidemiological evidence suggests a link between noise exposure and increased incidence of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The kidney as long-term regulator of blood pressure might play a role in the underlying pathophysiological mechanism. The aim of this study is to inv