Self-measurement and self-titration in hypertension: a pilot telemedicine study.

Background: Because of poor patient compliance and clinical inertia, hypertension control rates remain poor. Home blood-pressure measurements (HBPM) improve compliance of patients and achievement of blood pressure (BP) targets. However, few studies have evaluated self-BP management by patients.

A home blood pressure monitoring study comparing the antihypertensive efficacy of two angiotensin II receptor antagonist fixed combinations.

Background: The objective of this prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint study was to compare the antihypertensive efficacy of valsartan 80 mg v irbesartan 150 mg when combined with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 12.5 mg.

Methods: Untreated or uncontrolled hypertensive adults (n = 800) were enrolled by primary care physicians.

Electrocardiographic predictors of Brugada type response during Na channel blockade challenge.

Aim: To identify ECG predictors of Brugada type response during Na channel blockade challenge.

Methods: We studied prospectively 103 patients (M = 76, 45 +/- 13 years) in whom ECGs were collected during ajmaline challenge. ECG recordings included the high right precordial leads (-2V(1) and -2V(2)).

Atrial septal pacing to prevent atrial fibrillation in patients with sinus node dysfunction: results of a randomized controlled study.

Background: In order to assess the preventive effects of right atrial septal pacing on atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with sinus node dysfunction, we conducted a prospective randomized controlled study in patients requiring atrial pacing.

Methods: The inclusion criterion was the presence of a sinus node dysfunction with or without episodes of AF. Pacing sites were randomized to either the right atrial septum or appendage.

Prevalence of drug-induced electrocardiographic pattern of the Brugada syndrome in a healthy population.

To determine the prevalence of drug-induced Brugada's syndrome (BrS) electrocardiograms (ECGs) in a healthy population, a sodium channel blockade challenge was performed in previously identified subjects with BrS-compatible (BrC) ECGs. These subjects were detected in 1,000 normal patients in whom first ECGs were systematically recorded. Because of the intermittent nature of electrocardiographic modifications in BrS, second ECGs were also recorded in a representative sample of the population presenting with first ECGs with normal results.