Hypertension: Bolli P

Padwal RS, Hemmelgarn BR, Khan NA, Grover S, McKay DW, Wilson T, Penner B, Burgess E, McAlister FA, Bolli P, Hill MD, Mahon J, Myers MG, Abbott C, Schiffrin EL, Honos G, Mann K, Tremblay G, Milot A, Cloutier L, Chockalingam A, Rabkin SW, Dawes M, Touyz RM, Bell C, Burns KD, Ruzicka M, Campbell NR, Vallée M, Prasad R, Lebel M, Tobe SW, Anonymous00149. · Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #19417858 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of adults with hypertension. OPTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The diagnosis of hypertension is dependent on appropriate blood pressure measurement, the timely assessment of serially elevated readings, the degree of blood pressure elevation, the method of measurement (office, ambulatory, home) and associated comorbidities. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage should be ascertained to assess global cardiovascular risk and determine the urgency, intensity and type of treatment required. EVIDENCE: MEDLINE searches were conducted from November 2007 to October 2008 with the aid of a medical librarian. Reference lists were scanned, experts were contacted, and the personal files of authors and subgroup members were used to identify additional studies. Content and methodological experts assessed studies using prespecified, standardized evidence-based algorithms. Recommendations were based on evidence from peer-reviewed full-text articles only. RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommendations for blood pressure measurement, criteria for hypertension diagnosis and follow-up, assessment of global cardiovascular risk, diagnostic testing, diagnosis of renovascular and endocrine causes of hypertension, home and ambulatory monitoring, and the use of echocardiography in hypertensive individuals are outlined. Key messages include continued emphasis on the expedited, accurate diagnosis of hypertension, the importance of global risk assessment and the need for ongoing monitoring of hypertensive patients to identify incident type 2 diabetes. VALIDATION: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and voted on by the 57 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations were required to be supported by at least 70% of task force members. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

Padwal RS, Hemmelgarn BR, McAlister FA, McKay DW, Grover S, Wilson T, Penner B, Burgess E, Bolli P, Hill M, Mahon J, Myers MG, Abbott C, Schiffrin EL, Honos G, Mann K, Tremblay G, Milot A, Cloutier L, Chockalingam A, Khan NA, Rabkin SW, Dawes M, Touyz RM, Tobe SW, Anonymous00038. · Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #17534459 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of adults with hypertension. OPTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The diagnosis of hypertension is dependent on the appropriate measurement of blood pressure, the timely assessment of serially elevated readings, the degree of blood pressure elevation, the method of measurement (office, ambulatory, home) and any associated comorbidities. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage should be ascertained to assess global cardiovascular risk, and to determine the urgency, intensity and type of treatment required. EVIDENCE: MEDLINE searches were conducted from November 2005 to October 2006 with the aid of a medical librarian. Reference lists were scanned, experts were contacted, and the personal files of authors and subgroup members were used to identify additional studies. Content and methodological experts assessed studies using prespecified, standardized evidence-based algorithms. Recommendations were based on evidence from peer-reviewed, full-text articles only. RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommendations for blood pressure measurement, criteria for hypertension diagnosis and follow-up, assessment of global cardiovascular risk, diagnostic testing, diagnosis of renovascular and endocrine causes of hypertension, home and ambulatory monitoring, and the use of echocardiography in hypertensive individuals are outlined. Key messages in 2007 include continued emphasis on the expedited, accurate diagnosis of hypertension, the importance of assessing the risk of cerebrovascular events as part of global risk assessment, the need for ongoing reassessment of patients with high normal blood pressure, and reviews of recent studies involving laboratory testing and home monitoring. VALIDATION: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and were voted on by the 57 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations reported here received at least 70% consensus. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

Hemmelgarn BR, McAlister FA, Grover S, Myers MG, McKay DW, Bolli P, Abbott C, Schiffrin EL, Honos G, Burgess E, Mann K, Wilson T, Penner B, Tremblay G, Milot A, Chockalingam A, Touyz RM, Tobe SW, Anonymous00011. · Division of Nephrology, University of Calgary, and Foothills Hospital, 1403 29th Street Northwest, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #16755312 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of adults with high blood pressure. OPTIONS AND OUTCOMES: For persons in whom a high blood pressure value is recorded, a diagnosis of hypertension is dependent on the appropriate measurement of blood pressure, the level of the blood pressure elevation, the approach used to monitor blood pressure (office, ambulatory or home/self), and the duration of follow-up. In addition, the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage should be assessed to determine the urgency, intensity and type of treatment. For persons diagnosed as having hypertension, estimating the overall risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes requires an assessment for other vascular risk factors and hypertensive target organ damage. EVIDENCE: MEDLINE searches were conducted from November 2004 to October 2005 to update the 2005 recommendations. Reference lists were scanned, experts were polled, and the personal files of the authors and subgroup members were used to identify other studies. Identified articles were reviewed and appraised using prespecified levels of evidence by content and methodological experts. As per previous years, the authors only included studies that had been published in the peer-reviewed literature and did not include evidence from abstracts, conference presentations or unpublished personal communications. RECOMMENDATIONS: The present document contains recommendations for blood pressure measurement, diagnosis of hypertension, and assessment of cardiovascular risk for adults with high blood pressure. These include the accurate measurement of blood pressure, criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension and recommendations for follow-up, assessment of overall cardiovascular risk, routine and optional laboratory testing, assessment for renovascular and endocrine causes, home and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and the role of echocardiography for those with hypertension. Key features of the 2006 recommendations include continued emphasis on an expedited diagnosis of hypertension, an in-depth review of the role of global risk assessment in hypertension therapy, and the use of home/self blood pressure monitoring for patients with masked hypertension (subjects with hypertension who have a blood pressure that is normal in clinic but elevated on home/self measurement). VALIDATION: All recommendations were graded according to the strength of the evidence and were voted on by the 45 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations reported herein received at least 95% consensus. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

Myers MG, Tobe SW, McKay DW, Bolli P, Hemmelgarn BR, McAlister FA, Anonymous00046. · Division of Cardiology, Sunnybrook & Women's Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. · Am J Hypertens. · Pubmed #16202864 No free full text.

Abstract: Most national and international guidelines for diagnosing hypertension include 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and self (home) BP monitoring (SBPM) as optional methods for identifying hypertensive patients. However, none of the current guidelines have yet included ABPM or SBPM as fundamental tools for diagnosing hypertension, preferring instead to rely on conventional office readings recorded by mercury sphygmomanometry. During the past 10 years, clinical outcome studies have consistently reported 24-h ABPM and SBPM to be significantly better predictors of cardiovascular events compared with the office BP, even when recorded under "research conditions." Based on the available evidence, the Canadian Hypertension Education Program has now developed an algorithm for diagnosing hypertension that offers three options: 1) conventional office BP, 2) SBPM, or 3) 24-h ABPM. Out-of-office BP measurements are recommended, whenever feasible, to minimize both measurement error associated with mercury sphygmomanometry and the white coat effect experienced by some patients.

Hemmelgarn BR, McAllister FA, Myers MG, McKay DW, Bolli P, Abbott C, Schiffrin EL, Grover S, Honos G, Lebel M, Mann K, Wilson T, Penner B, Tremblay G, Tobe SW, Feldman RD, Anonymous00236. · Division of Nephrology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #16003448 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of adults with high blood pressure (BP). OPTIONS AND OUTCOMES: For persons in whom a high BP value is recorded, the assignment of a diagnosis of hypertension is dependent on the appropriate measurement of BP, the level of the BP elevation and the duration of follow-up. In addition, the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage should be assessed to determine the urgency, intensity and type of treatment. For persons diagnosed as having hypertension, estimating overall risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes requires an assessment of other vascular risk factors and hypertensive target organ damage. EVIDENCE: MEDLINE searches were conducted from November 2003 to October 2004 to update the 2004 recommendations. Reference lists were scanned, experts were polled, and the personal files of the authors and subgroup members were used to identify other studies. Identified articles were reviewed and appraised using prespecified levels of evidence by content and methodological experts. As per previous years, only studies that had been published in the peer-reviewed literature were included; evidence from abstracts, conference presentations and unpublished personal communications was not included. RECOMMENDATIONS: This document contains recommendations for BP measurement, diagnosis of hypertension and assessment of cardiovascular risk for adults with high BP. These include the accurate measurement of BP, criteria for diagnosis of hypertension, and recommendations for follow-up, assessment of overall cardiovascular risk, routine and optional laboratory testing, assessment for renovascular and endocrine causes, home and ambulatory BP monitoring, and the role of echocardiography for those with hypertension. Key features of the 2005 recommendations include an expedited diagnostic algorithm for hypertension and an endorsement of the use of home/self and ambulatory BP assessment as validated techniques in establishing the diagnosis of hypertension. VALIDATION: All recommendations were graded according to the strength of the evidence and voted on by the 43 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations reported in the present paper received at least 95% consensus. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

Hemmelgarn BR, Zarnke KB, Campbell NR, Feldman RD, McKay DW, McAlister FA, Khan N, Schiffrin EL, Myers MG, Bolli P, Honos G, Lebel M, Levine M, Padwal R, Anonymous00144. · Division of Nephrology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #14968141 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the assessment of the diagnosis, cardiovascular risk and identifiable causes for adults with high blood pressure. OPTIONS: For persons in whom a high blood pressure value is recorded, the assignment of a diagnosis of hypertension is dependent on the appropriate measurement of blood pressure, the level of the blood pressure elevation and the duration of follow-up. In addition, the presence of concomitant vascular risk factors, target organ damage and established atherosclerotic diseases should be assessed to determine the urgency, intensity and type of treatment. For persons diagnosed as having hypertension, defining overall risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes requires an assessment of concomitant vascular risk factors, including laboratory testing, a search for target organ damage and an assessment for modifiable causes of hypertension. Home and ambulatory blood pressure assessment and echocardiography are options for selected patients. OUTCOMES: The identification of persons at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes; the quantification of overall cardiovascular risk; and the identification of persons with potentially modifiable causes of hypertension. EVIDENCE: Medline searches were conducted from November 2001, one year before the period of the last revision of the Canadian recommendations for the management of hypertension, to October 2003. Reference lists were scanned, experts were polled, and the personal files of subgroup members and authors were used to identify other studies. Identified articles were reviewed and appraised using prespecified levels of evidence by content experts and methodological experts. VALUES: A high value was placed on the identification of persons at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and persons with identifiable and potentially modifiable causes of hypertension. BENEFITS, HARMS AND COSTS: The identification of persons at higher risk of cardiovascular disease will permit counselling for lifestyle maneuvers and introduction of antihypertensive drugs to reduce blood pressure for patients with sustained hypertension. The identification of specific causes of hypertension may permit the use of cause-specific interventions. For certain subgroups of patients and specific classes of drugs, blood pressure lowering has been associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and/or mortality. RECOMMENDATIONS: The document contains recommendations for blood pressure measurement, diagnosis of hypertension and assessment of cardiovascular risk for adults with high blood pressure. These include the accurate measurement of blood pressure, criteria for diagnosis of hypertension, and recommendations for follow-up, assessment of overall cardiovascular risk, routine and optional laboratory testing, assessment for renovascular and endocrine causes, home and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and the role of echocardiography for those with hypertension. VALIDATION: All recommendations were graded according to strength of evidence and voted on by the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. Only the recommendations that achieved high levels of consensus are reported. These guidelines will be updated annually.

Zarnke KB, McAlister FA, Campbell NR, Levine M, Schiffrin EL, Grover S, McKay DW, Myers MG, Wilson TW, Rabkin SW, Feldman RD, Burgess E, Bolli P, Honos G, Lebel M, Mann K, Abbott C, Tobe S, Petrella R, Touyz RM, Anonymous00073. · London Health Sciences Centre, University Hospital Campus, London, Canada. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #12107419 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the assessment of the diagnosis, cardiovascular risk, identifiable causes and lifestyle modifications for adults with high blood pressure. OPTIONS: For persons in whom a high blood pressure value is recorded, hypertension is diagnosed based on the appropriate measurement of blood pressure, the level of the blood pressure elevation and the duration of follow-up. In addition, the presence of concomitant vascular risk factors, target organ damage and established atherosclerotic diseases must be assessed to determine the urgency, intensity and type of treatment. For persons receiving a diagnosis of hypertension, defining the overall risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes requires an assessment of concomitant vascular risk factors, including laboratory testing, a search for target organ damage and an assessment for modifiable causes of hypertension. Home and ambulatory blood pressure assessment and echocardiography are options for selected patients. OUTCOMES: The outcomes were: the identification of persons at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes; the quantification of overall cardiovascular risk; and the identification of persons with potentially modifiable causes of hypertension. Evidence: Medline searches were conducted from one year before the period of the last revision of the Canadian recommendations for the management of hypertension (May 1999 to May 2001). Reference lists were scanned, experts were polled, and the personal files of the subgroup members and authors were used to identify other studies. Identified articles were reviewed and appraised, using prespecified levels of evidence, by content experts and methodological experts. In addition to an update of the previous year's review, new sections on assessing overall cardiovascular risk and endocrine causes are provided. VALUES: A high value was placed on the identification of persons at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and of persons with identifiable causes of hypertension. BENEFITS, HARMS AND COSTS: The identification of persons at higher risk of cardiovascular disease will permit counseling for lifestyle manoeuvres and introduction of antihypertensive drugs to reduce blood pressure for patients with sustained hypertension. The identification of specific causes of hypertension may permit the use of cause-specific interventions. In certain subgroups of patients, and for specific classes of drugs, blood pressure lowering has been associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. RECOMMENDATIONS: The present document contains recommendations for the assessment of the diagnosis, cardiovascular risk, identifiable causes and lifestyle modifications for adults with high blood pressure. These include the accurate measurement of blood pressure, criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension and recommendations for follow-up, assessment of overall cardiovascular risk, routine and optional laboratory testing, assessment for renovascular and endocrine causes, home and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, the role of echocardiography and lifestyle modifications. VALIDATION: All recommendations were graded according to the strength of the evidence and voted on by the Canadian Hypertension Recommendations Working Group. Only those recommendations achieving high levels of consensus are reported. These guidelines will be updated annually. ENDORSEMENT: These guidelines are endorsed by the Canadian Hypertension Society, The Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control, The College of Family Physicians of Canada, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, The Adult Disease Division and Bureau of Cardio-Respiratory Diseases and Diabetes at the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Health Canada.

Zarnke KB, Levine M, McAlister FA, Campbell NR, Myers MG, McKay DW, Bolli P, Honos G, Lebel M, Mann K, Wilson TW, Abbott C, Tobe S, Burgess E, Rabkin S, Anonymous00281. · Department of Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, 339 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N6A 5A5, Canada. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #11773936 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of high blood pressure in adults. OPTIONS: For people with high blood pressure, the assignment of a diagnosis of hypertension depends on the appropriate measurement of blood pressure, the level of the blood pressure elevation, the duration of follow-up and the presence of concomitant vascular risk factors, target organ damage and established atherosclerotic diseases. For people diagnosed with hypertension, defining the overall risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes requires laboratory testing, a search for target organ damage and an assessment of the modifiable causes of hypertension. Out-of-clinic blood pressure assessment and echocardiography are options for selected patients. OUTCOMES: People at increased risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and were identified and quantified. EVIDENCE: Medline searches were conducted from the period of the last revision of the Canadian recommendations for the management of hypertension (May 1998 to October 2000). Reference lists were scanned, experts were polled, and the personal files of the subgroup members and authors were used to identify other studies. All relevant articles were reviewed and appraised, using prespecified levels of evidence, by content experts and methodological experts. VALUES: A high value was placed on the identification of people at increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. BENEFITS, HARMS AND COSTS: The identification of people at higher risk of cardiovascular disease will permit counselling for lifestyle manoeuvres and the introduction of antihypertensive drugs to reduce blood pressure for patients with sustained hypertension. In certain settings, and for specific classes of drugs, blood pressure lowering has been associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and/or mortality. RECOMMENDATIONS: The present document contains detailed recommendations pertaining to aspects of the diagnosis and assessment of patients with hypertension, including the accurate measurement of blood pressure, criteria for the diagnosis of hypertension and recommendations for follow-up, routine and optional laboratory testing, assessment for renovascular hypertension, home and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and the role of echocardiography in hypertension. VALIDATION: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and voted on by the Canadian Hypertension Recommendations Working Group. Only the recommendations achieving high levels of consensus are reported here. These guidelines will be updated annually. ENDORSEMENT: These recommendations are endorsed by the Canadian Hypertension Society, The Canadian Coalition for High Blood Pressure Prevention and Control, The College of Family Physicians of Canada, The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, The Adult Disease Division and Bureau of Cardio-Respiratory Diseases and Diabetes at the Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control of Health Canada.

Padwal RJ, Hemmelgarn BR, Khan NA, Grover S, McAlister FA, McKay DW, Wilson T, Penner B, Burgess E, Bolli P, Hill MD, Mahon J, Myers MG, Abbott C, Schiffrin EL, Honos G, Mann K, Tremblay G, Milot A, Cloutier L, Chockalingam A, Rabkin SW, Dawes MD, Touyz RM, Bell C, Burns KD, Ruzicka M, Campbell NR, Lebel M, Tobe SW, Anonymous00045. · Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #18548142 links to  free full text

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and assessment of adults with hypertension. OPTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The diagnosis of hypertension is dependent on appropriate blood pressure measurement, the timely assessment of serially elevated readings, degree of blood pressure elevation, method of measurement (office, ambulatory, home) and associated comorbidities. The presence of cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage should be ascertained to assess global cardiovascular risk and determine the urgency, intensity and type of treatment required. EVIDENCE: MEDLINE searches were conducted from November 2006 to October 2007 with the aid of a medical librarian. Reference lists were scanned, experts were contacted, and the personal files of authors and subgroup members were used to identify additional studies. Content and methodological experts assessed studies using prespecified, standardized evidence-based algorithms. Recommendations were based on evidence from peer-reviewed, full-text articles only. RECOMMENDATIONS: Recommendations for blood pressure measurement, criteria for hypertension diagnosis and follow-up, assessment of global cardiovascular risk, diagnostic testing, diagnosis of renovascular and endocrine causes of hypertension, home and ambulatory monitoring, and the use of echocardiography in hypertensive individuals are outlined. Key messages in 2008 include continued emphasis on the expedited, accurate diagnosis of hypertension, the importance of global risk assessment and the need for ongoing monitoring of hypertensive patients to identify incident type 2 diabetes. VALIDATION: All recommendations were graded according to strength of the evidence and voted on by the 57 members of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. All recommendations reported here received at least 70% consensus. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

Bolli P, Hemmelgarn B, Myers MG, McKay D, Tremblay G, Tobe SW, Anonymous00041. · Ambulatory Internal Medicine Teaching Clinic, St Catharines, Ontario. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #17534467 links to  free full text

Abstract: Subjects with high normal blood pressure are at high risk of developing hypertension. Thus, the criteria of the Canadian Hypertension Education Program for diagnosis of hypertension and recommendations for follow-up now recommend that patients with high normal blood pressure (130 mmHg to 139 mmHg systolic and/or 85 mmHg to 89 mmHg diastolic) be followed up annually for the development of hypertension. Clinical trial data from subjects with high normal blood pressure show that 40% over two years and 63% over four years developed hypertension (140/90 mmHg or higher). These data are consistent with observational data from the Framingham Heart Study, which found a similar risk. Besides annual follow-up, the Canadian Hypertension Education Program recommends lifestyle therapy for individuals with high normal blood pressure. Ongoing research will establish whether any further management is required.

McKay DW, Myers MG, Bolli P, Chockalingam A. · Division of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. · Can J Cardiol. · Pubmed #16755318 links to  free full text

Abstract: A patient has masked hypertension when his office blood pressure is less than 140/90 mmHg but his ambulatory or home blood pressure readings are in the hypertensive range. Several recent studies have demonstrated that cardiovascular risk is similar between those with masked hypertension and those with sustained hypertension. The prevalence of masked hypertension in Canada is not known, but data from other countries suggest rates greater than 8%. Physicians need to use careful clinical judgment to identify and treat subjects with masked hypertension. The present review discusses masked hypertension, its importance to clinical practice and some aspects of patient management.

Bolli P. · Ambulatory Internal Medicine Teaching Clinic, St. Catharines, Canada. · Am J Ther. · Pubmed #18645339 No free full text.

Abstract: Treatment resistant hypertension is defined as a blood pressure not achieving a goal blood pressure (<140/90 mm Hg) with a combination of three or more antihypertensive drugs. There are several causes for patients not responding to antihypertensive medication. One of the major reasons is noncompliance to the treatment, often because of real or perceived side effects or because of a great number of medications and frequent dosing. Exogenous substances, most frequently nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and, often not recognized, over-the-counter medications containing ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine, can reduce the effect of antihypertensive drugs. Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea oppose antihypertensive drug effects by several mechanisms but predominantly by an increase in the activity of the sympathetic and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems. White coat hypertension as a cause of treatment resistance is suspected if there is no target organ damage or if the patients complain of symptoms of hypotension during antihypertensive treatment. Secondary forms of hypertension, although comprising only approximately 5% of patients with treatment resistant hypertension, are important to identify because they may represent a curable form of hypertension.

Giusti B, Saracini C, Bolli P, Magi A, Sestini I, Sticchi E, Pratesi G, Pulli R, Pratesi C, Abbate R. · Department of Medical and Surgical Critical Care and Center of Research, Transfer and High Education, DENOTHE, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. · J Med Genet. · Pubmed #18635682 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggested an association between abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and hyperhomocysteinaemia, a complex trait determined by genetic and environmental factors. Our hypothesis was that polymorphisms in genes directly or indirectly involved in methionine metabolism may contribute to AAA susceptibility. METHOD: We studied 56 polymorphisms in MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, CBS, MTHFD1, SLC19A1, NNMT, TCN2, AHCY, BHMT, BHMT2, FOLH1, TYMS, ENOSF1, SHMT1, PON1, PON2 genes according to their demonstrated/putative function, localisation in promoter or regulatory and coding regions and/or heterozygosity values >0.300. Polymorphisms were evaluated by using a primer extension based microarray technology in 423 AAA patients and 423 matched controls. RESULTS: All polymorphisms resulted in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in patients and controls. At the multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (sex, age, hypertension, smoking habit, dyslipidaemia, diabetes) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rs8003379 MTHFD1 (odds ratio (OR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.26 to 0.65) and rs326118 MTRR (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.77) polymorphisms resulted in independent susceptibility factor for AAA. CONCLUSIONS: After haplotype reconstruction, logistic regression analyses adjusted for traditional risk factors and COPD showed a significant association among AAA and AHCY, FOLH1, MTHFD1, MTR, NNMT, PON1 and TYMS haplotypes. Our findings offer new insights into the pathogenesis of AAA.

Sodi A, Giambene B, Marcucci R, Sofi F, Bolli P, Abbate R, Prisco D, Menchini U. · Department of Oto-Neuro-Ophthalmological Surgical Sciences, Eye Clinic, Firenze, Italy. · Eur J Ophthalmol. · Pubmed #18320516 No free full text.

Abstract: PURPOSE: Atherosclerotic and thrombophilic risk factors may be causes of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the aforesaid risk factors in patients with recurrent CRVOs and patients with a single episode of CRVO. METHODS: Seventeen patients with recurrent CRVO and 30 with a single episode of CRVO were enrolled. The atherosclerotic risk factors investigated were hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and dyslipidemia. Specific laboratory tests for the following thrombophilic markers were performed: homocystinemia (Hcy), lipoprotein (a), factor VIII, factor II G20210A and factor V G1691A polymorphisms, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and deficit of vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid. A multivariate analysis, adjusted for age, gender, traditional and thrombophilic risk factors, was performed. Statistical significance was set at p<or=0.05. RESULTS: Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, fasting, and postmethionine hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) were more prevalent in recurrent CRVO patients (p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.006, and p=0.005, respectively). At multivariate analysis, hypercholesterolemia (OR: 5.04, 95% CI 1.39-18.17; p=0.025), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 5.60, 95% CI 1.52-20.61; p=0.017), fasting HHcy (OR: 5.77, 95% CI 1.39-23.89; p=0.028), and postmethionine HHcy (OR: 10.88, 95% CI 2.50-47.42; p=0.002) were found to be significantly associated with recurrent CRVO. CONCLUSIONS: Dyslipidemia and hyperhomocysteinemia are independent risk factors for the occurrence of recurrent CRVO. A complete assessment of atherosclerotic and thrombophilic risk factors in CRVO patients. In addition, the need for a specific treatment is suggested.

Bolli P, Myers M, McKay D, Anonymous00219. · Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital, Windsor, Ont. · CMAJ. · Pubmed #16129865 links to  free full text

This publication has no abstract.