From the first reports, back in 1920, we have studied, recognized and documented the excess of events associated with arterial hypertension. This linear relationship between the level of blood pressure and the risk of stroke, is evident in all adults beyond age, sex or race, transforming high blood pressure into the highest target of global...
Phosphodieserase-5 enzyme is activated in heart failure and can limit the beneficial effects of nitric oxide, (NO), in the vasculature, kidney and myocardium. The benefits of phosphodiesterase inhibitors are well documented in erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Although some studies with sildenafil in heart failure show reduced ejection fraction, their role in heart failure...
Original title: Impaired Cardiac Baroreflex Sensitivity Predicts Response to Renal Sympathetic Denervation in Patients with Resistant Hypertension. Reference: Christine S. Zuern et al. J Am Coll Cardiol, article in press. Renal denervation is a new treatment option for patients with resistant arterial hypertension and it is assumed to reduce efferent renal and central sympathetic activity. Given the multifactorial...
We are well aware of the multifactorial nature of hypertension, as well as the fact that it responds well to medication and lifestyle changes. It can be treated with renal denervation (RDN), which has been shown safe and effective in several randomized and non-randomized studies. However, the group of patients that will benefit most from...
We are aware of sex related differences when it comes to comorbidities, physiopathology and disease evolution in patients with tricuspid regurgitation (TR). TR is more prevalent among women, whereas among men, coronary artery disease is more prevalent, with worse left ventricular ejection fraction and 10-year survival rate. Transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVIs) has surged as...
Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) involve high mortality risk, especially ST elevation ACS. Their treatment is based on reperfusion, dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and anticoagulation, with enoxaparin (1 mg/kg twice a day) as the preferred anticoagulant according to the contemporary guidelines. 2.5 mg or 5 mg doses of rivaroxaban might be valid alternative treatments for this...
At present, PCI is the preferred treatment for femoropopliteal lesions and drug coated balloons (DCB) have shown good performance. However, they have not yet been shown superior to bare-metal stents (BMS). This study compared randomized trials IN.PACT SFA I/II and IN.PACT JAPAN including 288 patients vs. the prospective Complete SE and DURABILITY II with 483...
Adding new medication in moderate doses to control hypertension conveniently maximizes efficacy, reduces adverse effects and minimizes costs, among other advantages. On the flipside, patients having to remember a whole list of drugs and their combination will often lead to non-adherence or forgetfulness. The latter has been shown not only by dedicated trials, but also...
The results of the STEP study were presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2021 Congress! The main finding from this research was that an ideal target of 110 mmHg or at least <130 mmHg blood pressure (compared with a target of 130 mmHg or at least 150 mmHg) yielded an absolute risk reduction of composite events of...
Read the case presentation and join the conversation through the comments in this post! Case Introduction: An Explosive Mission! 56-year-old male patient Severe smoker Hypertension Dyslipidemia Sedentary lifestyle and stress A sibling suffered from an acute myocardial infraction Cardiac markers: Standard angina, intensity of 8-9/10, 3-to-4-h long, and dyspnea (on and off for the past...