Impact of cortisol on blood pressure and hypertension-mediated organ damage in hypertensive patients.

Objectives: Patients with overt and subclinical Cushing's syndrome frequently develop hypertension, metabolism disorders, and atherosclerotic lesions. The aim of the present study was to test the association between cortisol and blood pressure (BP), organ damage, and metabolic parameters in hypertensive patients without hypercortisolism.

Methods: After exclusion of patients treated with corticosteroids or with Cushing's syndrome, the cohort included 623 hypertensive patients (mean ± SD age 50.

Risk stratification in hypertension: NT-proBNP and R wave in aVL lead combination better than echocardiographic left ventricular mass.

Objectives: Plasma N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and R wave in aVL lead (RaVL) have been associated with mortality in hypertension. The aim of the current study was to compare the prognostic value of their combination to that of the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) assessed by echocardiography.

Methods: A total of 1104 hypertensive patients who had at baseline an assessment of plasma NT-proBNP, a 12-lead ECG, and echocardiography were included.

Decreased plasma prorenin levels in primary aldosteronism: potential diagnostic implications.

Aim: Primary aldosteronism could exert a negative feedback on prorenin secretion, of possibly different magnitude, whether it is related to an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) or an idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of prorenin in three subgroups: APA, IHA, and essential hypertension; and the performance of the aldosterone-to-prorenin ratio (APR) for the diagnosis of an APA.

Methods: Seven hundred and forty-six hypertensive patients with a standardized work-up, including a prorenin measurement, were considered.