Efficacy of antihypertensive treatment based on plasma renin activity: An open label observational study.

Background: We investigated the extent of blood pressure (BP) reduction and control (<140/90 mmHg) in patients treated with appropriate or inappropriate drugs according to their plasma renin activity (PRA) level (natriuretic drugs and renin-angiotensin system blockers for low-renin and high-renin hypertension, respectively).

Patients And Methods: One hundred and seventy Caucasian untreated hypertensive patients (61 females), aged 18-70 years, participated to the study. Patients with secondary hypertension, diabetes or established cardiovascular or renal disease were excluded.

Effects of birth weight on spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity in adult life.

Background And Aim: Several epidemiological studies have suggested a link between low birth weight and coronary heart disease; this may be partly due to the association between low birth weight and conventional risk factors. Among the factors involved in the regulation of cardiovascular homeostasis, baroreflexes play a crucial role. The objective of the present study was to investigate if baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in adulthood is associated with birth weight.

QT interval in patients with primary aldosteronism and low-renin essential hypertension.

Introduction: QT interval prolongation increases the risk of sudden death in several medical conditions. Patients with primary aldosteronism and salt-sensitive hypertension experience more cardiovascular events than those with normal-renin essential hypertension. QT interval prolongation might represent one of the risk factors for cardiovascular events in these patients.

CYP11B2 -344T/C gene polymorphism and blood pressure in patients with acromegaly.

Context: The pathogenesis of increased blood pressure (BP) in acromegaly is unclear, and the role of IGF-I levels and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in this disease remains controversial.

Objective And Design: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of gene polymorphisms of the RAAS and involved in sodium handling on BP in acromegaly.

Setting And Patients: We conducted a multicentric retrospective study that included 100 consecutive patients with acromegaly referred during the period 2000-2003.