Diagnosis of primary aldosteronism in the hypertension specialist centers in Italy: a national survey.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common endocrine cause of resistant hypertension. Individuals with PA are at increased cardiovascular risk, and an appropriate management and treatment would ideally reduce such risk. Screening and diagnosis of PA requires a specific diagnostic test which is considered time- and cost-consuming and, as a result, is underperformed in clinical practice.

Hyperparathyroidism can be useful in the identification of primary aldosteronism due to aldosterone-producing adenoma.

Hyperparathyroidism represents as a novel feature of primary aldosteronism (PA). Its occurrence in patients with the surgically correctable aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and not in those with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia suggested that the measurement of parathyroid hormone could help in differentiating between these subtypes of PA. To test this hypothesis we measured the plasma levels of intact parathyroid hormone, Ca(2+), and several markers of calcium/phosphorus metabolism in 132 hypertensive patients, including 74 with primary (essential) hypertension and 58 consecutive PA patients.

Interplay between miR-155, AT1R A1166C polymorphism, and AT1R expression in young untreated hypertensives.

Background: A silent polymorphism (+1166 A/C single-nucleotide polymorphism) localized in the 3'-UTR (untranslated region) of the human angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT1R) has been associated with hypertension and cardiovascular complications. The +1166 A/C is recognized by a specific microRNA-155 (miR-155), which is base-pairing complementary with the +1166 A-allele but not with the mutant +1166 C allele. Aim of our study was to investigate the interplay between miR-155 and AT1R protein expression.

Validation of the Microlife WatchBP O3 device for clinic, home, and ambulatory blood pressure measurement, according to the International Protocol.

To determine the accuracy of the Microlife WatchBP O3 blood pressure measuring device tested according to the requirements of the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension. The WatchBP O3 is designed to provide clinic, ambulatory, and self blood pressure (BP) measurements. Device evaluation was performed in 33 participants with a mean +/- standard deviation age of 56.

CYP1A2 genotype modifies the association between coffee intake and the risk of hypertension.

Objectives: The longitudinal relationship between coffee use and hypertension is still controversial. Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) is the main responsible enzyme for the metabolism of caffeine. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of coffee intake on the risk of developing hypertension needing antihypertensive treatment in individuals stratified by CYP1A2 genotype.

Validation of Microlife BP W100 wrist device assessed according to the European Society of Hypertension and the British Hypertension Society protocols.

The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of the Microlife BP W100 device for blood pressure measurement. The device evaluations were performed in 85 participants, by using both the protocol of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and the protocol of the British Hypertension Society (BHS). Initially, the data from 33 participants were examined according to the ESH protocol.

Natural history of hypertension subtypes in young and middle-age adults.

Background: The evolution of hypertension (HT) subtypes in young-to-middle-age subjects is unclear.

Methods: We did a prospective study in 1,141 participants aged 18-45 years from the HARVEST study screened for stage 1 HT, and 101 nonhypertensive subjects of control during a median follow-up of 72.9 months.

Validation of A&D UA-85X device for blood pressure measurement.

To determine the accuracy of the UA-85X (UA-851, 852, 853, 854, and 855) device developed by the A&D company. Device evaluations were performed using the protocol of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH). Monitor performance was assessed in relation to patients' age, arm circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BPs).

Validation of the Microlife BP W200-1 wrist device for blood pressure measurement.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the accuracy of the BP W200-1 device for blood pressure measurement at the wrist developed by the Microlife Company. The BP W200-1 model features a 'Microlife Average Mode', which uses a 'weighted' average of a minimum of three consecutive blood pressure (BP) readings taken 15 s apart.

Method: Device evaluation was carried out using the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension.

Impaired arterial elasticity in young patients with white-coat hypertension.

Background: Conflict still exists over whether patients with white-coat hypertension are at increased risk of developing target organ damage compared with normotensive individuals.

Methods: We studied vascular distensibility in 117 young-to-middle age patients with white-coat hypertension, 174 patients with sustained hypertension, and 51 normotensive controls. To obtain a measure of compliance, a model was used that divides the total systemic compliance into large artery (C1) and small artery (C2) compliance.