Predicting blood pressure response to renal denervation based on a new approach.

Background: Identifying predictors of blood pressure (BP) response to renal denervation (RDN) is crucial for patient selection. According to Wilder's principle, baseline BP predicts BP change after any antihypertensive intervention. Thus, any observed BP change after RDN is the sum of the BP change depending on the baseline BP and the specific BP reduction due to RDN.

[OPTINOFA-Intelligent assistance service for structured assessment in the emergency department].

Background: Case numbers in central emergency departments (EDs) have risen during the past decade in Germany, leading to recurrent overcrowding, increased risks in emergency care, and elevated costs. Particularly the fraction of outpatient emergency treatments has increased disproportionately. Within the framework of the Optimization of emergency care by structured triage with intelligent assistant service (OPTINOFA, Förderkennzeichen [FKZ] 01NVF17035) project, an intelligent assistance service was developed.

The influence of aircraft noise exposure on the systemic and renal haemodynamics.

Aims: Epidemiological studies found a link between aircraft noise exposure and increased incidence of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular disease, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. Clinical studies have shown that mental stress affects the systemic and renal haemodynamic, but no such study was performed with noise exposure as stress factor. We analysed systemic and renal effects of 25 min standardized aircraft noise in a sham controlled clinical study including 80 healthy men and 34 male patients with hypertension.

Combination of empagliflozin and linagliptin improves blood pressure and vascular function in type 2 diabetes.

Aims: Preserved vascular function represents a key prognostic factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but data on vascular parameters in this patient cohort are scarce. Patients with T2DM often need more than one drug to achieve optimal glucose control. The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of two combination therapies on vascular function in subjects with T2DM.

Copeptin Levels in Patients With Treatment-Resistant Hypertension Before and 6 Months After Renal Denervation.

Background: Copeptin, the C-terminal peptide of provasopressin, is released from the neurohypophysis and reflects the activity of the hormone arginine vasopressin in patients with hypertension. Elevated copeptin levels are associated with increased cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. The aim of this study is to compare copeptin levels in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH) before and 6 months after renal denervation (RDN).

Tissue sodium content in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Tissue sodium content by Na magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been found to be increased in arterial hypertension. We analyzed whether tissue sodium content is increased in patients with type-2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: Patients with T2DM were compared to those with primary hypertension.

How does empagliflozin improve arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus? Sub analysis of a clinical trial.

Background: Empagliflozin has been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality, but the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms are poorly understood. It was previously demonstrated that empagliflozin improved arterial stiffness.

Methods: Our analysis comprising 58 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus identifies factors triggering the improvement of arterial stiffness.

Early vascular parameters in the micro- and macrocirculation in type 2 diabetes.

Background: Diabetes converts from a metabolic disorder into a predominantly vascular disease, once its duration extends over several years or/and when additional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension coexist. In a cross-sectional analysis we analyzed various vascular parameters in the renal, retinal and systemic circulation, with the goal to identify which vascular parameter of early organ damage is the earliest that can be clinically detected.

Methods: In 111 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (off any anti-diabetic medication for at least 4 weeks) and 54 subjects without T2DM we compared various parameters of early vascular remodeling in the same patient: urinary albumin creatinine ratio ([UACR], early morning spot urine) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), retinal capillary flow (RCF) and intercapillary distance (ICD) as parameters of capillary rarefaction, wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) of the retinal arterioles [all assessed by Scanning Laser Doppler Flowmetry], and central systolic pressure (cSBP) and central pulse pressure (cPP) [measured by pulse wave analysis, Syphygmocor] both reflecting vascular stiffness of large arteries.

Application of a central iliac arteriovenous coupler device in severe treatment-resistant hypertension: a 3.5-year follow-up.

Objective: In patients with resistant hypertension, percutaneous placement of an iliac arteriovenous coupler device leads to a reduction of blood pressure (BP) via decreased total vascular resistance and improved arterial compliance. However, long-term efficacy and safety need to be further explored. We report on the first case of 3.

A randomised study of the impact of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin on microvascular and macrovascular circulation.

Background: The sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, has been shown to improve diabetic control and reduce blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Its effects on micro- and macrovascular structure and function have not yet been reported.

Methods: This was a prospective, single-centre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised crossover phase IIIb study conducted between March 2014 and February 2015.

Low-dose eplerenone decreases left ventricular mass in treatment-resistant hypertension.

Background: Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are increasingly used in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension (TRH). There is experimental evidence for blood pressure (BP) independent effects of mineralocorticoid receptor blockade on cardiovascular target organ damage. We hypothesized that low-dose eplerenone (50 mg) will reduce left ventricular mass (LVM) beyond its BP-lowering effects.