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BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis patients show reduced physical function and greater risk of increased arterial stiffness because of hypertension, metabolic disturbances, and vascular calcification. Exercise interventions potentially could improve their vascular risk profile. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled pilot clinical study comparing the effects of 6 months of supervised intradialytic exercise training versus home-based exercise training or usual care on physical function and arterial stiffness in hemodialysis patients. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 70 hemodialysis patients from 3 renal units. INTERVENTION: Intradialytic-exercise patients trained 3 times/wk for 6 months on a cycle ergometer and home-based-exercise patients followed a walking program to achieve the same weekly physical activity. Usual-care patients received no specific intervention. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measures were distance traveled during a 6-minute walk test and aortic pulse wave velocity. Secondary outcome measures included augmentation index (augmentation pressure as a percentage of central pulse pressure), peripheral (brachial) and central blood pressures (measured noninvasively using radial tonometry), physical activity, and self-reported physical functioning. Measurements were made at baseline and 6 months. RESULTS: At 6 months, there were no significant differences between changes in 6-minute walk test distance (intradialytic exercise, +14%; home-based exercise, +11%; usual care, +5%), pulse wave velocity (intradialytic exercise, -4%; home-based exercise, -2%; usual care, +5%), or any secondary outcome measure. LIMITATIONS: Lack of medication data limited the analysis of vascular parameters in this study. CONCLUSION: There were no differences between intradialytic or home-based exercise training and usual care for either physical function or vascular parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients on peritoneal and hemodialysis have accelerated atherosclerosis associated with an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The atherosclerosis is associated with increased arterial stiffness, endothelial dysfunction and elevated oxidative stress and inflammation. The aims of this study are to investigate the effects of peritoneal and hemodialysis on arterial stiffness, vascular function, myocardial structure and function, oxidative stress and inflammation in incident patients with end stage kidney disease.Methods: This is an observational study. Eighty stage five CKD patients will be enrolled and followed for one-year. Primary outcome measures will be changes in 1) arterial stiffness measured by aortic pulse wave velocity, 2) oxidative stress assessed by plasma F2 isoprostanes and 3) inflammation measured by plasma pentraxin-3. Secondary outcomes will include additional measures of oxidative stress and inflammation, changes in vascular function assessed using the brachial artery reactivity technique, carotid artery intimal medial thickness, augmentation index and trans thoracic echocardiography to assess left ventricular geometry, and systolic and diastolic function. Patients will undergo these measures at baseline (6-8 weeks prior to starting dialysis therapy), then at six and 12 months after starting dialysis.Discussion: The results of this study may guide the choice of dialysis modality in the first year of treatment. It may also lead to a larger study prospectively assessing the effect of dialysis modality on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.Trial Registration: ACTRN12609000049279. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is evidence that renal transplant recipients have accelerated atherosclerosis manifest by increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The high incidence of atherosclerosis is, in part, related to increased arterial stiffness, vascular dysfunction, elevated oxidative stress and inflammation associated with immunosuppressive therapy. The dietary supplement astaxanthin has shown promise as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent in cardiovascular disease. The aim of this trial is to investigate the effects of astaxanthin supplementation on arterial stiffness, oxidative stress and inflammation in renal transplant patients.Method and Design: This is a randomised, placebo controlled clinical trial. A total of 66 renal transplant recipients will be enrolled and allocated to receive either 12 mg/day of astaxanthin or an identical placebo for one-year. Patients will be stratified into four groups according to the type of immunosuppressant therapy they receive: 1) cyclosporine, 2) sirolimus, 3) tacrolimus or 4) prednisolone+/-azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolate sodium. Primary outcome measures will be changes in 1) arterial stiffness measured by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), 2) oxidative stress assessed by plasma isoprostanes and 3) inflammation by plasma pentraxin 3. Secondary outcomes will include changes in vascular function assessed using the brachial artery reactivity (BAR) technique, carotid artery intimal medial thickness (CIMT), augmentation index (AIx), left ventricular afterload and additional measures of oxidative stress and inflammation. Patients will undergo these measures at baseline, six and 12 months.Discussion: The results of this study will help determine the efficacy of astaxanthin on vascular structure, oxidative stress and inflammation in renal transplant patients. This may lead to a larger intervention trial assessing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.Trial Registration: ACTRN12608000159358. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Previous research identified numerous barriers to general practitioner (GP) use of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk guidelines, and it is unclear whether these issues have been resolved. This study explored recent GP experiences., Method: Interviews with 18 GPs in an Australian state with relatively few COVID-19 cases in 2021 were transcribed and coded using a framework analysis approach, with data mapped to five previously identified CVD risk assessment strategies: absolute risk focused, absolute risk adjusted, clinical judgement, passive disregard and active disregard., Results: GPs used various CVD risk calculators to inform clinical decision making, but there were concerns about accuracy, the role of extra risk factors and less 'personalised' assessment. GPs addressed these concerns by requesting additional tests, subjectively adjusting the CVD risk assessment to account for extra risk factors and focusing on individual risk factors., Discussion: Many barriers to CVD risk assessment guidelines remain. GP support is needed to implement revised guidelines.

Objectives: Central aortic BP may predict cardiovascular outcomes better than upper arm brachial BP. In recent years, technology has enabled central BP estimation by recording a peripheral BP waveform from a standard upper arm cuff. The accuracy of these devices is not well documented, and this study aimed to address this issue., Methods: This study was a systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, of observational studies published between 2008 and 2023 that reported accuracy testing of cuff-based central BP devices, compared with reference invasive aortic BP. The primary analysis was stratified according to each commercially available device. Pooled estimates were calculated using random-effects models based on mean differences and standard errors., Results: Six thousand four hundred and fifteen studies were screened, and 27 studies met inclusion criteria (plus one unpublished study). This generated data for seven devices that are commercially available, which were tested among 2125 adult participants. There was very high heterogeneity when all devices were pooled ( I2  = 97.5%), and, when stratified by device, the accuracy of estimated central BP was highly device-dependent (range of accuracy across different devices -12.4 mmHg (-16.3 to -8.5) to 3.2 mmHg (0.2-6.1). Two of the seven commercially available devices had not undergone external validation testing., Conclusion: The accuracy of commercially available cuff-based central BP devices is highly device-specific and not all are accurate for the estimation of central SBP. These findings have major implications for the appropriate interpretation of studies that use cuff-based estimated central BP., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Clinic blood pressure (BP) is recommended for absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment. However, in 'real-world' settings, clinic BP measurement is unstandardised and less reliable compared to more rigorous methods but the impact for absolute CVD risk assessment is unknown. This study aimed to determine the difference in absolute CVD risk assessment using real-world clinic BP compared to standardised BP methods. Participants were patients (n = 226, 59 ± 15 years; 58% female) with hypertension referred to a BP clinic for assessment. 'Real-world' clinic BP was provided by the referring doctor. All participants had unobserved automated office BP (AOBP) and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) measured at the clinic. Absolute CVD risk was calculated (Framingham) using systolic BP from the referring doctor (clinic BP), AOBP and ABPM, with agreement assessed by Kappa statistic. Clinic systolic BP was 18 mmHg than AOBP and daytime ABPM and 22 mmHg higher than 24-h ABPM (p < 0.001). Subsequently, absolute CVD risk scores using clinic BP were higher compared to AOBP, daytime ABPM and 24-h ABPM (10.4 ± 8.1%, 7.8 ± 6.4%, 7.8 ± 6.3%, and 7.3 ± 6.1%, respectively, P < 0.001). As a result, more participants were classified as high CVD risk using clinic BP (n = 89, 40%) compared with AOBP (n = 44, 20%) daytime ABPM (n = 38, 17%) and 24-h ABPM (n = 38, 17%) (p < 0.001) with weak agreement in risk classification (κ = 0.57[0.45-0.69], κ = 0.52[0.41-0.64] and κ = 0.55[0.43-0.66], respectively). Real-world clinic BP was higher and classified twice as many participants at high CVD risk compared to AOBP or ABPM. Given the challenges to high-quality BP measurement in clinic, more rigorous BP measurement methods are needed for absolute CVD risk assessment., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objectives: Low health literacy is associated with worse health outcomes, including for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, general practitioners (GPs) have limited support to identify and address patient health literacy needs in CVD prevention consultations. This study explored GPs' experiences of patient health literacy needs during CVD risk assessment and management consultations., Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 18 GPs in Tasmania, Australia in 2021. A Framework Analysis approach was used to code transcripts to a thematic framework., Results: GPs perceptions on patient health literacy informed three themes: 1. Methods of estimating health literacy; 2. GPs' perceptions about the impact of health literacy on CVD prevention including risk factor knowledge and behaviours; and 3. Strategies for communicating with patients experiencing health literacy challenges. The findings show that while no formal tools were used to assess health literacy in this sample, perceived health literacy can change GPs' communication and prevention strategies., Conclusion: The findings raise concerns about the equity of choices made available to patients, based on subjective perceptions of their health literacy level., Practice Implication: GPs could be better supported to assess and address patient health literacy needs in CVD prevention consultations., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Carissa Bonner reports financial support was provided by National Health and Medical Research Council. Carissa Bonner reports financial support was provided by Heart Foundation. Mark R. Nelson reports a relationship with Novartis Lipid Advisory Board that includes: board membership. CB and MRN are involved in the current CVD prevention guideline revision released in July 2023., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary prevention guidelines classify people at high risk and recommended for pharmacological treatment based on clinical criteria and absolute CVD risk estimation. Despite relying on similar evidence, recommendations vary between international guidelines, which may impact who is recommended to receive treatment for CVD prevention. Objective: To determine the agreement in treatment recommendations according to guidelines from Australia, England and the United States. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 2647). Adults ≥ 40 years were classified as high-risk and recommended for treatment according to Australia, England and United States CVD prevention guidelines. Agreement in high-risk classification and recommendation for treatment was assessed by Kappa statistic. Results: Participants were middle aged, 49% were male and 38% were white. The proportion recommended for treatment was highest using the United States guidelines (n = 1318, 49.8%) followed by the English guidelines (n = 1276, 48.2%). In comparison, only 26.6% (n = 705) of participants were classified as recommended for treatment according to the Australian guidelines. There was moderate agreement in the recommendation for treatment between the English and United States guidelines (κ = 0.69 [0.64-0.74]). In comparison, agreement in recommendation for treatment was minimal between the Australian and United States guidelines (κ = 0.47 [0.43-0.52]) and weak between the Australian and English guidelines (κ = 0.50 [0.45-0.55]). Conclusions: Despite similar evidence underpinning guidelines, there is little agreement between guidelines regarding the people recommended to receive treatment for CVD prevention. These findings suggest greater consistency in high-risk classification between CVD prevention guidelines may be required.

Background: Pathology services represent an ideal setting to integrate absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimation when patients attend for routine cholesterol testing. This study aimed to explore the process of implementing CVD risk estimation into point-of-care service delivery by pathology staff to inform future implementation and sustainability., Methods: A new service for CVD risk estimation via a self-directed screening station was implemented into 14 pathology service sites across Tasmania, Australia. Before implementation, observations at pathology services (n = 26) and semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 26 pathology staff (88% female, 77% aged 41-60 years) to identify factors that could impact implementation of the service. The process of implementation was then evaluated using participant observations and clinical trial recruitment data. Transcripts and field notes were analysed thematically according to the Medical Research Council Framework and used to develop a programme logic model to understand how the service could be adapted to be successfully integrated into routine workflow at pathology services., Results: Eight key themes were identified during the pre-implementation phase as important factors that could impact upon integration of CVD risk estimation into pathology services. Themes related to factors within the organisation, including available resources, logistics and workflow, as well as having sufficient time to complete the intervention. Additional factors related to the individual motivations of staff, collaborative leadership and patient characteristics. Success of implementation varied among sites, requiring the trialling of different strategies to support uptake of the service and patient recruitment., Conclusions: Implementing CVD risk estimation into point-of-care pathology services required an understanding of the core implementation components specific to each context, and for implementation strategies to be targeted to the individual and organisational contexts. The generated programme logic model may be useful in guiding future implementation endeavours within these services and aiding the selection of apt implementation strategies., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04896021, registered 19/05/2021, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04896021., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Cuff blood pressure (BP) is recommended for guiding hypertension management. However, central BP has been proposed as a superior clinical measurement. This study aimed to determine whether controlling hypertension as measured by central BP was beneficial in reducing left ventricular mass index beyond control of standard cuff hypertension., Methods: This multicenter, open-label, blinded-end point trial was conducted in individuals treated for uncomplicated hypertension with controlled cuff BP (<140/90 mm Hg) but elevated central BP (≥0.5 SD above age- and sex-specific normal values). Participants were randomized to 24-months intervention with spironolactone 25 mg/day (n=148) or usual care control (n=153). The primary outcome was change in left ventricular mass index measured by cardiac MRI. Cuff and central BPs were measured by clinic, 7-day home and 24-hour ambulatory BPs., Results: At 24-months, there was a greater reduction in left ventricular mass index (-3.2 [95% CI, -5.0 to -1.3] g/m 2 ; P =0.001) with intervention compared with control. Cuff and central BPs were lowered by a similar magnitude across all BP measurement modes (eg, clinic cuff systolic BP, -6.16 [-9.60 to -2.72] mm Hg and clinic central systolic BP, -4.96 [-8.06 to -1.86] mm Hg; P ≥0.48 all). Secondary analyses found that changes in left ventricular mass index correlated to changes in BP, with the magnitude of effect nearly identical for BP measured by cuff (eg, 24-hour systolic BP, β, 0.17 [0.02-0.31] g/m 2 ) or centrally (24-hour systolic BP, β, 0.16 [0.01-0.32] g/m 2 )., Conclusions: Among individuals with central hypertension, spironolactone had beneficial effects in reducing LV mass. Secondary analyses showed that changes in LV mass were equally well associated with lower measured standard cuff BP and central BP., Registration: URL: https://www.anzctr.org.au/; Unique identifier: ACTRN12613000053729., Competing Interests: Disclosures J.E. Sharman is principal investigator of a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia partnership grant (S0026615) that includes a medical technology company that manufactures a central blood pressure (BP) device, not referred to in this article. He has no personal financial conflicts relating to BP technology. S. Stewart is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Fellowship (GNT 1135894). The other authors report no conflicts.

With the rising prevalence of hypertension, especially in Africa, understanding the dynamics of socio-demographic and lifestyle factors is key in managing hypertension. To address existing gaps in evidence of these factors, this study was carried out. A cross-sectional survey using a modified WHO STEPS questionnaire was conducted among 3782 adult Nigerians selected from an urban and a rural community in one state in each of the six Nigerian regions. Among participants, 56.3% were women, 65.8% were married, 52.5% resided in rural areas, and 33.9% had tertiary education. Mean ages (SD) were 53.1 ± 13.6 years and 39.2 ± 15.0 years among hypertensive persons and their normotensive counterparts respectively. On lifestyle, 30.7% had low physical activity, 4.1% consumed tobacco currently, and 35.4% consumed alcohol currently. In comparison to unmarried status, being married (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.41-2.50) or widowed (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.05-2.36) was significantly associated with hypertension, compared with never married. Compared with no formal education, primary (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.12-1.85), secondary (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.04-1.81), and tertiary education (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.57-2.60) were associated with hypertension. Low physical activity (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05-1.42), alcohol consumption, (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02-1.37), and unemployment status (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.07-1.88) were also associated with hypertension. Our study indicates an association of socio-demographic and lifestyle factors with hypertension, hence, there is a need for counselling, health education and policy formulation and implementation targeting these factors to prevent and control hypertension., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The VALID BP project was initiated to increase the availability of validated blood pressure measuring devices (BPMDs). The goal is to eliminate non validated BPMDs and minimise over- and underdiagnosis of hypertension caused by inaccurate readings. This study was undertaken to assess the potential return on investment in the VALID BP project. The Framework to Assess the Impact of Translational Health Research was applied to the VALID BP project. This paper focuses on the implementation of the cost benefit analysis aspect of this framework to monetise past research investment and model future research costs, implementation costs, and benefits. Analysis was based on reasoned assumptions about potential impacts from availability and use of validated BPMDs (assuming an end goal of 100% validated BPMDs available in Australia by 2028) and improved skills leading to more accurate BP measurement. After 5 years, with 20% attribution of benefits, there is a potential $1.14-$1.30 return for every dollar spent if the proportion of validated BPMDs and staff trained in proper BP measurement technique increased from 20% to 60%. After eight years (2020-2028) and assuming universal validation and training coverage, the returns would be between $2.70 and $3.20 per dollar spent (not including cost of side effects of unnecessary medication or downstream patient impacts from unmanaged hypertension). This modelled economic analysis indicates there will be positive downstream economic benefits if the availability of validated BPMDs is increased. The findings support ongoing efforts toward a universal regulatory framework for BPMDs and can be considered within more detailed future economic analyses., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Importance: Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) begins in early life, the extent to which blood pressure (BP) at different life stages contributes to CVD is unclear., Objective: To determine the relative contribution of BP at different life stages across the early-life course from infancy to young adulthood with carotid intima-media thickness (IMT)., Design, Setting, and Participants: The analyses were performed in 2022 using data gathered from July 1989 through January 2018 within the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project, a randomized, infancy-onset cohort of 534 participants coupled with annual BP (from age 7 months to 20 years), biennial IMT measurements (from ages 13 to 19 years), who were followed up with again at age 26 years., Exposures: BP measured from infancy (aged 7 to 13 months), preschool (2 to 5 years), childhood (6 to 12 years), adolescence (13 to 17 years), and young adulthood (18 to 26 years)., Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were carotid IMT measured in young adulthood at age 26 years. Bayesian relevant life-course exposure models assessed the relative contribution of BP at each life stage., Results: Systolic BP at each life stage contributed to the association with young adulthood carotid IMT (infancy: relative weight, 25.3%; 95% credible interval [CrI], 3.6-45.8; preschool childhood: relative weight, 27.0%; 95% CrI, 3.3-57.1; childhood: relative weight, 18.0%; 95% CrI, 0.5-40.0; adolescence: relative weight, 13.5%; 95% CrI, 0.4-37.1; and young adulthood: relative weight, 16.2%; 95% CrI, 1.6-46.1). A 1-SD (at single life-stage) higher systolic BP accumulated across the life course was associated with a higher carotid IMT (0.02 mm; 95% CrI, 0.01-0.03). The findings for carotid IMT were replicated in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study that assessed systolic BP from childhood and carotid IMT in adulthood (33 to 45 years)., Conclusion and Relevance: In this cohort study, a life-course approach indicated that accumulation of risk exposure to BP levels at all life stages contributed to adulthood carotid IMT. Of those, the contribution attributed to each observed life stage was approximately equal. These results support prevention efforts that achieve and maintain normal BP levels across the life course, starting in infancy.

Background: The menopausal transition is widely believed to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, based on the notion that estrogen is cardioprotective in women. While aortic stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease, it has been unclear whether this risk increases during menopause., Objective: This study aimed to determine the association between changes in menopausal status and aortic stiffness., Main Outcome Measures: Menopausal status was classified using the Stages of Reproductive Aging in Women criteria in a stratified random sample of Australian women aged 40-80 years, at three time-points over 14 years (n = 469 in 2001-02 and 2005, and n = 323 in 2014). Aortic stiffness was measured non-invasively via carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity at each time point. Mixed modeling was employed to determine the independent associations between menopausal status and aortic stiffness accounting for multiple covariates including age, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, medications, cholesterol, waist circumference, smoking and diabetes status., Results: There was no evidence to support an association between the menopausal transition and an acceleration of aortic stiffness. However, there was an acceleration of aortic stiffness in the late (8+ years) postmenopause phase, after accounting for age and traditional cardiovascular risk factors (0.122 [95%CI: 0.106, 0.139] m/s/year; p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The menopausal transition is not associated with major changes in aortic stiffness beyond normal age-related effects. However, the clinically significant acceleration in aortic stiffness observed in late postmenopause may contribute to greater cardiovascular risk in this later life phase. Study registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, reference ACTRN12618000005257., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

There is limited information on the knowledge and practice of salt-reduction in China. The purpose of this study was to describe the status of the knowledge and practice of salt-reduction among the Chinese population from a nationally representative survey stratified according to hypertension status. The association between hypertensive status and salt-reduction knowledge and practice was calculated using multivariate hierarchical logistic regression adjusting for related confounders. The study included 179,834 participants; 51.7% were women, and the mean age was 44 years. The levels of overall salt-reduction knowledge (7.9%) and practice (37.1%) were low. The percentage of the use of salt-control spoons and low-sodium salt was 10.7% and 12.2%. The aging population (≥60 years) had the lowest levels of salt-reduction knowledge (5.7%) than other age groups (P < 0.0001). People living in rural areas (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.81) had lower odds of using salt-control spoons. Females (OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.36) had higher odds of using salt-control spoons. People living in rural areas (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.63) had lower odds of using low-sodium salt. Females (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.13, 1.41) and people living in the southern region (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.83) had higher odds of using low-sodium salt. Our work highlights the need to promote education related to hypertension, salt-reduction knowledge and methods among the public and the need to strengthen strategies for the popularization of salt-reduction knowledge and practices among males, people living in rural areas, people living in the northern region and the aging population in China., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke) and death. An international panel of experts convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts compiled lifestyle management recommendations as first-line strategy to prevent and control hypertension in adulthood. We also recommend that lifestyle changes be continued even when blood pressure-lowering medications are prescribed. Specific recommendations based on literature evidence are summarized with advice to start these measures early in life, including maintaining a healthy body weight, increased levels of different types of physical activity, healthy eating and drinking, avoidance and cessation of smoking and alcohol use, management of stress and sleep levels. We also discuss the relevance of specific approaches including consumption of sodium, potassium, sugar, fibre, coffee, tea, intermittent fasting as well as integrated strategies to implement these recommendations using, for example, behaviour change-related technologies and digital tools., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Arterial stiffness, as measured by arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV), is an established biomarker for cardiovascular risk and target-organ damage in individuals with hypertension. With the emergence of new devices for assessing PWV, it has become evident that some of these devices yield results that display significant discrepancies compared with previous devices. This discrepancy underscores the importance of comprehensive validation procedures and the need for international recommendations., Methods: A stepwise approach utilizing the modified Delphi technique, with the involvement of key scientific societies dedicated to arterial stiffness research worldwide, was adopted to formulate, through a multidisciplinary vision, a shared approach to the validation of noninvasive arterial PWV measurement devices., Results: A set of recommendations has been developed, which aim to provide guidance to clinicians, researchers, and device manufacturers regarding the validation of new PWV measurement devices. The intention behind these recommendations is to ensure that the validation process can be conducted in a rigorous and consistent manner and to promote standardization and harmonization among PWV devices, thereby facilitating their widespread adoption in clinical practice., Conclusions: It is hoped that these recommendations will encourage both users and developers of PWV measurement devices to critically evaluate and validate their technologies, ultimately leading to improved consistency and comparability of results. This, in turn, will enhance the clinical utility of PWV as a valuable tool for assessing arterial stiffness and informing cardiovascular risk stratification and management in individuals with hypertension., Competing Interests: Disclosures A.P. Avolio is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of CardieX. P. Boutouyrie has participated in the past in the validation of multiple devices, among them Popmètre and WITHINGS Body Cardio. P. Boutouyrie has research grants with WITHINGS for the development of connected health devices. P. Boutouyrie, P. Segers, and R.M. Bruno are involved as researchers in an H2020 project working on the development of an integrated silicon photonics-based device that aims to measure pulse wave velocity. S. Laurent received research grants and honoraria as a speaker or chairperson and has been on the advisory board of Servier Laboratories, SOM Biotech, and WITHINGS. J. Baulmann has an interest in Redwave Medical GmbH and received equipment and lecture fees from IEM GmbH, BPLab, SMT Medical GmbH & Co, SOT Medical Systems, and Tensiomed. J.A. Chirinos received University of Pennsylvania research grants from the National Institutes of Health, Fukuda-Denshi, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Microsoft, and Abbott. J.A. Chirinos was named inventor in a University of Pennsylvania patent for the use of inorganic nitrates/nitrites for the treatment of heart failure and preserved ejection fraction and patent applications for the use of biomarkers in heart failure. J.A. Chirinos received payments for editorial roles from the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and Wiley. J.A. Chirinos received research device loans from ATCOR Medical, Fukuda-Denshi, Unex, Uscom, NDD Medical Technologies, Microsoft, and MicroVision Medical. S.S. Daskalopoulou is a cofounder of the start-up PLAKK that aims to identify individual atherosclerotic plaque instability and stroke risk using artificial intelligence methods. C.C. Mayer is an inventor (not holder) of a patent that is partly used in the ARCSolver algorithm in the Mobil-O-Graph 24h PWA Monitor (IEM GmbH). A.E. Schutte received speaker honoraria from Servier, Novartis, Abbott, Sanofi, Omron, Aktiia, and Medtronic. E.M. Urbina was on the Data Safety Monitoring Board of Astellas, Inc, and received an honorarium from Targus Medical, Inc. I. Tan was an employee of ATCOR Medical. E. Bianchini is a cofounder of QUIPU s.r.l., a spin-off company of the Italian National Research Council and the University of Pisa developing software for medical devices.

Mountain biking is growing in participation but carries risk for severe injury and burden on health systems. Little is known about the impact of these injuries on emergency medical services, definitive healthcare, and factors contributing to accidents. This review aimed to determine the health service impacts of severe mountain bike trauma and risk factors, with a view to understanding critical gaps and needs. A systematic online search was conducted using the databases PubMed and MEDLINE complete and grey literature relating to mountain bike injury since the databases' inception to July 2023. The results show that although mountain biking has relatively high injury rates that are increasing, the impacts on health services were rarely documented, with some evidence indicating that even small increases in injuries from race events can overwhelm local health services. Severe injuries were more common in downhill disciplines. However, the definitions of what constitutes severe injury were variable. Severe injuries were more common in downhill disciplines, influenced by the rider skill level, demographics, participation in competitive events, trail design, environmental factors, and healthcare availability. Further research in these areas is needed, along with the more consistent reporting of injury severity.

Objective: Exaggerated exercise blood pressure (BP) is independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. However, it is unknown how individual CVD risk factors may interact with one another to influence exercise BP. The aim of this study was to quantify direct and indirect associations between CVD risk factors and exercise BP, to determine what CVD risk factor/s most-strongly relate to exercise BP., Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 660 participants (44 ± 2.6 years, 54% male) from the population-based Childhood Determinants of Adult Health Study had BP measured during low-intensity fixed-workload cycling. CVD risk factors were measured, including body composition, clinic (rest) BP, blood biomarkers, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Associations between CVD risk factors and exercise BP were assessed using linear regression, with direct and indirect pathways of association assessed via structural equation model., Results: Sex, waist-to-hip ratio, fitness, and clinic BP were independently associated with exercise systolic BP (SBP), and along with age, had direct associations with exercise SBP (p < 0.05 all). Most CVD risk factors were indirectly associated with exercise SBP via a relation with clinic BP (p < 0.05 all). Clinic BP, waist-to-hip ratio, and fitness were most-strongly associated (direct and indirect association) with exercise SBP (β[95% CI]: 9.35 [8.04, 10.67], 4.91 [2.56, 7.26], and -2.88 [-4.25, -1.51] mm Hg/SD, respectively)., Conclusion: Many CVD risk factors are associated with exercise BP, mostly with indirect effects via clinic BP. Clinic BP, body composition, and fitness were most-strongly associated with exercise BP. These results may elucidate how lifestyle modification could be a primary strategy to decrease exaggerated exercise BP-related CVD risk., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Despite high blood pressure being the leading preventable risk factor for death, only 1 in 3 patients achieve target blood pressure control. Key contributors to this problem are clinical inertia and uncertainties in relying on clinic blood pressure measurements to make treatment decisions., Methods: The NEXTGEN-BP open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled trial will investigate the efficacy, safety, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of a wearable blood pressure monitor-based care strategy for the treatment of hypertension, compared to usual care, in lowering clinic blood pressure over 12 months. NEXTGEN-BP will enroll 600 adults with high blood pressure, treated with 0 to 2 antihypertensive medications. Participants attending primary care practices in Australia will be randomized 1:1 to the intervention of a wearable-based remote care strategy or to usual care. Participants in the intervention arm will undergo continuous blood pressure monitoring using a wrist-wearable cuffless device (Aktiia, Switzerland) and participate in 2 telehealth consultations with their primary care practitioner (general practitioner [GP]) at months 1 and 2. Antihypertensive medication will be up-titrated by the primary care practitioner at the time of telehealth consults should the percentage of daytime blood pressure at target over the past week be <90%, if clinically tolerated. Participants in the usual care arm will have primary care consultations according to usual practice. The primary outcome is the difference between intervention and control in change in clinic systolic blood pressure from baseline to 12 months. Secondary outcomes will be assessed at month 3 and month 12, and include acceptability to patients and practitioners, cost-effectiveness, safety, medication adherence and patient engagement., Conclusions: NEXTGEN-BP will provide evidence for the effectiveness and safety of a new paradigm of wearable cuffless monitoring in the management of high blood pressure in primary care., Trial Registration: ACTRN12622001583730., Competing Interests: Disclosures JES is principal investigator of a National Health and Medical Research Council partnership grant (S0026615) on cardiovascular disease risk assessment; among the partners listed on that grant is a medical technology company that manufactures a central BP monitor. AES received speaker honoraria from device manufacturers, Omron and Aktiia. GSS received consulting and lecture fees from several manufacturers for developing blood pressure measuring technologies., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Hypertension management is directed by cuff blood pressure (BP), but this may be inaccurate, potentially influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and health costs. This study aimed to determine the impact on CVD events and related costs of the differences between cuff and invasive SBP., Methods: Microsimulations based on Markov modelling over one year were used to determine the differences in the number of CVD events (myocardial infarction or coronary death, stroke, atrial fibrillation or heart failure) predicted by Framingham risk and total CVD health costs based on cuff SBP compared with invasive (aortic) SBP. Modelling was based on international consortium data from 1678 participants undergoing cardiac catheterization and 30 separate studies. Cuff underestimation and overestimation were defined as cuff SBP less than invasive SBP and cuff SBP greater than invasive SBP, respectively., Results: The proportion of people with cuff SBP underestimation versus overestimation progressively increased as SBP increased. This reached a maximum ratio of 16 : 1 in people with hypertension grades II and III. Both the number of CVD events missed (predominantly stroke, coronary death and myocardial infarction) and associated health costs increased stepwise across levels of SBP control, as cuff SBP underestimation increased. The maximum number of CVD events potentially missed (11.8/1000 patients) and highest costs ($241 300 USD/1000 patients) were seen in people with hypertension grades II and III and with at least 15 mmHg of cuff SBP underestimation., Conclusion: Cuff SBP underestimation can result in potentially preventable CVD events being missed and major increases in health costs. These issues could be remedied with improved cuff SBP accuracy., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinics (RACPCs) provide safe and efficient follow-up for outpatients presenting with new-onset chest pain. RACPC delivery by telehealth has not been reported. We sought to evaluate a telehealth RACPC established during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. There was a need to reduce the frequency of additional testing arranged by the RACPC during this time, and the safety of this approach was also explored. Methods: This was a prospective evaluation of a cohort of RACPC patients reviewed by telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with a historical control group of face-to-face consultations. The main outcomes included emergency department re-presentation at 30 days and 12 months, major adverse cardiovascular events at 12 months, and patient satisfaction scores. Results: One hundred forty patients seen in the telehealth clinic were compared with 1,479 in-person RACPC controls. Baseline demographics were similar; however, telehealth patients were less likely to have a normal prereferral electrocardiogram than RACPC controls (81.4% vs. 88.1%, p  = 0.03). Additional testing was ordered less often for telehealth patients (35.0% vs. 80.7%, p < 0.001). Rates of adverse cardiovascular events were low in both groups. One hundred twenty (85.7%) patients reported being satisfied or highly satisfied with the telehealth clinic service. Conclusions: In the setting of COVID-19, a telehealth RACPC model with reduced use of additional testing facilitated social distancing and achieved clinical outcomes equivalent to a face-to-face RACPC control. Telehealth may have an ongoing role beyond the pandemic, supporting specialist chest pain assessment for rural and remote communities. Pending further study, it may be safe to reduce the frequency of additional testing following RACPC review.

Background: In Uganda, it is recommended that persons with HIV receive integrated care to address both hypertension and diabetes. However, the extent to which appropriate diabetes care is delivered remains unknown and was the aim of this study., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study among participants receiving integrated care for HIV and hypertension for at least 1 year at a large urban HIV clinic in Mulago, Uganda to determine the diabetes care cascade., Results: Of the 1115 participants, the majority were female ( n = 697, 62.5%) with a median age of 50 years (Inter Quartile Range: 43, 56). Six hundred twenty-seven participants (56%) were screened for diabetes mellitus, 100 (16%) were diagnosed and almost all that were diagnosed ( n = 94, 94%) were initiated on treatment. Eighty-five patients (90%) were retained and all were monitored (100%) in care. Thirty-two patients (32/85, 38%) had glycaemic control. Patients on a Dolutegravir-based regimen (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.22-0.46, p < 0.001) and those with a non-suppressed viral load (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.07-0.83, p = 0.02) were less likely to be screened for diabetes mellitus., Conclusions: In very successful HIV care programs, large gaps still linger for the management of non-communicable diseases necessitating uniquely designed intervention by local authorities and implementing partners addressing the dual HIV and non-communicable diseases burden.

Background: It is unclear whether detection and patient visualization of cardiovascular (CV) images using computed tomography to assess coronary artery calcium or carotid ultrasound (CU) to identify plaque and intima-medial thickness merely prompts prescription of lipid-lowering therapy or whether it motivates lifestyle change among patients., Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to investigate whether patient visualization of CV images (computed tomography or CU) has a beneficial impact on improving overall absolute CV risk as well as lipid and nonlipid CV risk factors in asymptomatic individuals., Methods: The key words "CV imaging," "CV risk," "asymptomatic persons," "no known or diagnosed CV disease," and "atherosclerotic plaque" were searched in PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase in November 2021. Randomized trials that assessed the role of CV imaging in reducing CV risk in asymptomatic persons with no known CV disease were eligible for study inclusion. The primary outcome was a change in 10-year Framingham risk score from the trial commencement to the end of the follow-up following patient visualization of CV images., Results: Six randomized controlled trials (7,083 participants) were included; 4 studies used coronary artery calcium and 2 used CU to detect subclinical atherosclerosis. All studies used image visualization in the intervention group to communicate CV risk. Imaging-guidance was associated with a 0.91% improvement in 10-year Framingham risk score (95% CI: 0.24%-1.58%; P = 0.01). Significant reductions in low-density-lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure were observed (all P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Patient visualization of CV imaging is associated with overall CV risk reduction and improvement of individual risk factors: cholesterol and systolic blood pressure., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures Supported in part by a grant from the Ernst Heine Foundation, Sydney, Australia. The authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Automated cuff measured blood pressure (BP) is the global standard used for diagnosing hypertension, but there are concerns regarding the accuracy of the method. Individual variability in systolic BP (SBP) amplification from central (aorta) to peripheral (brachial) arteries could be related to the accuracy of cuff BP, but this has never been determined and was the aim of this study. Automated cuff BP and invasive brachial BP were recorded in 795 participants (74% male, aged 64 ± 11 years) receiving coronary angiography at five independent research sites (using seven different automated cuff BP devices). SBP amplification was recorded invasively by catheter and defined as brachial SBP minus aortic SBP. Compared with invasive brachial SBP, cuff SBP was significantly underestimated (130 ± 18 mmHg vs. 138 ± 22 mmHg, p < 0.001). The level of SBP amplification varied significantly among individuals (mean ± SD, 7.3 ± 9.1 mmHg) and was similar to level of difference between cuff and invasive brachial SBP (mean difference -7.6 ± 11.9 mmHg). SBP amplification explained most of the variance in accuracy of cuff SBP (R 2  = 19%). The accuracy of cuff SBP was greatest among participants with the lowest SBP amplification (p trend < 0.001). After cuff BP values were corrected for SBP amplification, there was a significant improvement in the mean difference from the intra-arterial standard (p < 0.0001) and in the accuracy of hypertension classification according to 2017 ACC/AHA guideline thresholds (p = 0.005). The level of SBP amplification is a critical factor associated with the accuracy of conventional automated cuff measured BP., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Carbetocin and oxytocin are commonly recommended agents for active management of the third stage of labour. Evidence is inconclusive whether either one more effectively reduces the occurrence of important postpartum haemorrhage outcomes at caesarean section. We examined whether carbetocin is associated with a lower risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage (blood loss ≥ 1000 ml) in comparison with oxytocin for the third stage of labour in women undergoing caesarean section. This was a retrospective cohort study among women undergoing scheduled or intrapartum caesarean section between 1 January 2010 and 2 July 2015 who received carbetocin or oxytocin for the third stage of labour. The primary outcome was severe postpartum haemorrhage. Secondary outcomes included blood transfusion, interventions, third stage complications and estimated blood loss. Outcomes were examined overall and by timing of birth, scheduled versus intrapartum, using propensity score-matched analysis. Among 21,027 eligible participants, 10,564 women who received carbetocin and 3836 women who received oxytocin at caesarean section were included in the analysis. Carbetocin was associated with a lower risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage overall (2.1% versus 3.3%; odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 0.79; P  <   0.001). This reduction was apparent irrespective of timing of birth. Secondary outcomes also favoured carbetocin over oxytocin. In this retrospective cohort study, the risk of severe postpartum haemorrhage associated with carbetocin was lower than that associated with oxytocin in women undergoing caesarean section. Randomised clinical trials are needed to further investigate these findings.

A recent study found that only 23.8% of blood pressure (BP) devices available for purchase from Australian pharmacies were validated for accuracy. The extent to which pharmacists are aware of this, and other issues related to the accuracy of BP devices, is not known and gathering this information was the aim of this study. An online survey of Australian pharmacists was distributed via the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia between 1 October and 25 November 2020. Questions were focused on the views of pharmacists related to the accuracy of BP devices. Two hundred and ten pharmacists completed the survey. The accuracy of BP devices sold by pharmacists was considered 'quite' or 'extremely important' to most respondents (94%). However, most respondents (90%) were unaware that less than one-quarter of BP devices sold by Australian pharmacies were validated, and this was 'quite' or 'extremely surprising' to many (69%). Many respondents (64%) associated a particular brand of BP device with greater accuracy. There was low awareness on proper ways to identify accurate BP devices, such as checking reputable online databases (43%). BP devices were stocked in respondents' pharmacies based on perceived quality (50%), accuracy (40%), or as determined by the pharmacy chain (36%). In conclusion, providing accurate BP devices to consumers is important to pharmacists, but they were generally unaware that most devices available from pharmacies were not validated for accuracy. Pharmacist education, alongside advocacy for policies including regulations and strategic action, is required to ensure only validated BP devices are sold in Australia., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Professional societies, guideline writing committees, and other interested parties emphasize the importance of accurate measurement of blood pressure for clinical and public health decisions related to prevention, treatment, and follow-up of high blood pressure. Use of a clinically validated instrument to measure blood pressure is a central component of measurement accuracy and precision. Despite this, most regulatory authorities do not specify validation requirements that manufacturers must meet to sell their blood pressure measurement devices. Likewise, device validity is not a major area of focus for most consumers and healthcare providers, perhaps because they assume it is a pre-requisite for market approval. This has led to a global proliferation of non-validated blood pressure measurement devices, with only a small minority of blood pressure measurement devices having passed internationally accepted validation protocols. The clinical consequences are likely to be significant because non-validated devices are more likely to provide inaccurate estimates of blood pressure compared with validated devices. Even small inaccuracies in blood pressure measurement can result in substantial misdiagnosis and mistreatment of hypertension. There is an urgent need for clinical validation of blood pressure measurement devices prior to marketing them to consumers. There is also need for simplification of the process for consumers and healthcare providers to determine whether a blood pressure measurement device has successfully met an internationally accepted test of validity., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Background: Accurate blood pressure (BP) measurement is critical for optimal cardiovascular risk management. Age-related trajectories for cuff-measured BP accelerate faster in women compared with men, but whether cuff BP represents the intraarterial (invasive) aortic BP is unknown. This study aimed to determine the sex differences between cuff BP, invasive aortic BP, and the difference between the 2 measurements., Methods: Upper-arm cuff BP and invasive aortic BP were measured during coronary angiography in 1615 subjects from the Invasive Blood Pressure Consortium Database. This analysis comprised 22 different cuff BP devices from 28 studies., Results: Subjects were 64±11 years (range 40-89) and 32% women. For the same cuff systolic BP (SBP), invasive aortic SBP was 4.4 mm Hg higher in women compared with men. Cuff and invasive aortic SBP were higher in women compared with men, but the sex difference was more pronounced from invasive aortic SBP, was the lowest in younger ages, and the highest in older ages. Cuff diastolic blood pressure overestimated invasive diastolic blood pressure in both sexes. For cuff and invasive diastolic blood pressure separately, there were sex*age interactions in which diastolic blood pressure was higher in younger men and lower in older men, compared with women. Cuff pulse pressure underestimated invasive aortic pulse pressure in excess of 10 mm Hg for both sexes in older age., Conclusions: For the same cuff SBP, invasive aortic SBP was higher in women compared with men. How this translates to cardiovascular risk prediction needs to be determined, but women may be at higher BP-related risk than estimated by cuff measurements.

The aim of the HEARTS in the Americas initiative is to promote the adoption of global best practices in the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases, and improve the control of hypertension. HEARTS is being implemented in 21 countries and a diverse set of actions and measures are in progress to improve exclusive access in primary health care facilities to automated blood pressure measuring devices that have been validated for accuracy. The purpose of this manuscript is to illustrate these efforts, mainly in the regulatory and public procurement arena, and to present information on common challenges and solutions identified. Examples from six countries confirm the need for not only a robust regulatory framework to increase availability of validated automated blood pressure measuring devices but also a comprehensive strategic approach that involves relevant stakeholders, includes a multi-pronged approach and is associated with a national program to prevent and control non communicable diseases., (© 2022. Pan American Health Organization.)

Automated 'oscillometric' blood pressure (BP) measuring devices (BPMDs) were developed in the 1970s to replace manual auscultatory BP measurement by mercury sphygmomanometer. Automated BPMDs that have passed accuracy testing versus a reference auscultatory sphygmomanometer using a scientifically accepted validation protocol are recommended for clinical use globally. Currently, there are many thousands of unique automated BPMDs manufactured by hundreds of companies, with each device using proprietary algorithms to estimate BP and using a method of operation that is largely unchanged since inception. Validated automated BPMDs provide similar BP values to those recorded using manual auscultation albeit with potential sources of error mostly associated with using empirical algorithms to derive BP from waveform pulsations. Much of the work to derive contemporary BP thresholds and treatment targets used to manage cardiovascular disease risk was obtained using automated BPMDs. While there is room for future refinement to improve accuracy for better individual risk stratification, validated BPMDs remain the recommended standard for office and out-of-office BP measurement to be used in hypertension diagnosis and management worldwide., (© 2022. The Author(s).)