The pathophysiological basis of carotid baroreceptor stimulation for the treatment of resistant hypertension.

The prevalence of resistant hypertension and existing limitations in antihypertensive drug therapy renders the interventional management of hypertension an attractive alternative. Carotid baroreceptors have been traditionally thought to be implicated only in short-term blood pressure regulation; however recent evidence suggests that the baroreceptors might play an important role even in the long-term blood pressure regulation. Electrical baroreflex stimulation appears safe and effective and might represent a useful adjunct to medical therapy in patients with resistant hypertension.

[Prognostic value of QTc interval dispersion changes during exercise testing in hypertensive men].

Introduction: The prognostic significance of QTc dispersion changes during exercise testing (ET) in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy is not clear.

Objective: The aim was to study the dynamics of QTc interval dispersion (QTcd) in patients (pts) with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) during the exercise testing and its prognostic significance.

Method: In the study we included 55 men (aged 53 years) with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy and a negative ET (LVH group), 20 men (aged 58 years) with a positive ET and 20 healthy men (aged 55 years).

[Effect of fosinopril on progression of the asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients].

Introduction: The cardiovascular changes (vascular structure changes, hypertrophy of the left ventricle) contribute to both the increased cardiovascular morbidity and the mortality of essential hypertension. Therefore, modern treatment strategies should not only target blood pressure (BP) reduction but also normalize cardiovascular structure and function.

Objective: Aim of the study was to determine the effect of the ACE inhibitor Fosinopril on the intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery and on the left ventricle mass after 9-month treatment of hypertensive patients.