Risk of heart failure in ambulatory resistant hypertension: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

The impact of ambulatory resistant hypertension (ARH) on the occurrence of heart failure (HF) is not yet completely known. We performed for the first time a meta-analysis, by using published data or available data from published databases, on the risk of HF in ARH. Patients with ARH (24-h BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg during treatment with ≥3 drugs) were compared with those with controlled hypertension (CH, clinic BP < 140/90 mmHg and 24-h BP < 130/80 mmHg regardless of the number of drugs used), white coat uncontrolled resistant hypertension (WCURH, clinic BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg and 24-h BP < 130/80 mmHg in treated patients) and ambulatory nonresistant hypertension (ANRH, 24-h BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg during therapy with ≤2 drugs).

Protective effect of oral stem cells extracellular vesicles on cardiomyocytes in hypoxia-reperfusion.

Hypoxia signaling plays an important role in physiological and pathological conditions. Hypoxia in the heart tissue can produce different consequences depending on the duration of exposure to the hypoxic state. While acute hypoxic exposure leads to a reversible acclimatization in heart tissue with normal systemic oxygen supply, chronic hypoxia exacerbates cardiac dysfunction, leads to a destruction of the tissue.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs): A promising therapeutic tool in the heart tissue regeneration.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) treatment has been widely explored as a therapy for myocardial infarction, peripheral ischemic vascular diseases, dilated cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary hypertension. Latest in vitro studies suggest that MSCs can differentiate into contractile cardiomyocytes. One of the best-characterized MSCs products are MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Ambulatory Resistant Hypertension and Risk of Heart Failure in the Elderly.

(1) Background: The aim of the study was to assess the risk of heart failure (HF) in elderly treated hypertensive patients with white coat uncontrolled hypertension (WUCH), ambulatory nonresistant hypertension (ANRH) and ambulatory resistant hypertension (ARH), when compared to those with controlled hypertension (CH). (2) We studied 745 treated hypertensive subjects older than 65 years. CH was defined as clinic blood pressure (BP) < 140/90 mmHg and 24-h BP < 130/80 mmHg; WUCH was defined as clinic BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg and 24-h BP < 130/80 mmHg; ANRH was defined as 24-h BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg in patients receiving ≤2 antihypertensive drugs; ARH was defined as 24-h BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg in patients receiving ≥3 antihypertensive drugs.

Prognostic Impact of 24-Hour Pulse Pressure Components in Treated Hypertensive Patients Older Than 65 Years.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic impact of 24-hour pulse pressure (PP), elastic PP (elPP) and stiffening PP (stPP) in elderly treated hypertensive patients; (2) Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 745 treated hypertensive subjects older than 65 years who underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to assess 24-hour PP and 24-hour elPP and stPP, as calculated by a mathematical model. The association of these PP components with a combined endpoint of cardiovascular events was investigated; (3) Results: The 24-hour PP, elPP and stPP were 59 ± 12.5, 47.

Prediction of Masked Uncontrolled Hypertension Detected by Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring.

The aim of this study was to provide prediction models for masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) detected by ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring in an Italian population. We studied 738 treated hypertensive patients with normal clinic BPs classified as having controlled hypertension (CH) or MUCH if their daytime BP was < or ≥135/85 mmHg regardless of nighttime BP, respectively, or CH or MUCH if their 24-h BP was < or ≥130/80 mmHg regardless of daytime or nighttime BP, respectively. We detected 215 (29%) and 275 (37%) patients with MUCH using daytime and 24-h BP thresholds, respectively.

Predictive Value of Left Atrial and Ventricular Strain for the Detection of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke.

Background And Aims: Cryptogenic stroke (CS) is associated with a high rate of recurrences and adverse outcomes at long-term follow-up, especially due to its unknown etiology that often leads to ineffective secondary prevention. Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) could play an important pathophysiological role. Some studies have pointed to left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction as surrogate markers of AF.

Prognostic value of non-resistant and resistant masked uncontrolled hypertension detected by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

Masked uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH) is at higher cardiovascular risk than controlled hypertension (CH). In previous studies, patients with MUCH were considered as a unique group though those receiving ≤2 drugs could be defined as having nonresistant MUCH (NRMUCH) and those receiving ≥3 drugs as having resistant MUCH (RMUCH). The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of NRMUCH and RMUCH detected by ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring.

Predictors of Mortality and Cardiovascular Outcome at 6 Months after Hospitalization for COVID-19.

Clinical outcome data of patients discharged after Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are limited and no study has evaluated predictors of cardiovascular prognosis in this setting. Our aim was to assess short-term mortality and cardiovascular outcome after hospitalization for COVID-19. A prospective cohort of 296 consecutive patients discharged after COVID-19 from two Italian institutions during the first wave of the pandemic and followed up to 6 months was included.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT): The Type-2 EMT in Wound Healing, Tissue Regeneration and Organ Fibrosis.

Theepithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential event during cell development, in which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal fibroblast-like features including reduced intercellular adhesion and increased motility. EMT also plays a key role in wound healing processes, which are mediated by inflammatory cells and fibroblasts. These cells secrete specific factors that interact with molecules of the extracellular matrix (ECM) such as collagens, laminins, elastin and tenascins.

Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1 and Human Gingival Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Differentiation: Molecular and Morphological Modifications.

After oral mucosal injury, the healing response following specific steps that lead to wound closure and to tissue repair. Multiple cell populations are involved in this process; in particular, fibroblasts play a key role in the production of extracellular matrix (ECM). During wound healing the remodeling of ECM is a key stage to restore the tissue functionality through multifunctional fibroblast populations that are placed in the connective tissues of gingiva and periodontal ligament.

Association of clinic and ambulatory blood pressure with new-onset atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis of observational studies.

The aim of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of studies evaluating the association of clinic and daytime, nighttime, and 24-h blood pressure with the occurrence of new-onset atrial fibrillation. We conducted a literature search through PubMed, Web of science, and Cochrane Library for articles evaluating the occurrence of new-onset atrial fibrillation in relation to the above-mentioned blood pressure parameters and reporting adjusted hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval. We identified five studies.

Clinical outcome with different doses of low-molecular-weight heparin in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

A pro-thrombotic milieu and a higher risk of thrombotic events were observed in patients with CoronaVirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Accordingly, recent data suggested a beneficial role of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), but the optimal dosage of this treatment is unknown. We evaluated the association between prophylactic vs.

Prognostic value of daytime and nighttime blood pressure in treated hypertensive patients according to age and sex.

The authors assessed the prognostic value of daytime and nighttime blood pressure (BP) in adult (≤65 years) or old (> 65 years) women or men with treated hypertension. Cardiovascular outcomes were evaluated in 2264 patients. During the follow-up (mean 10 years), 523 cardiovascular events occurred.

Ambulatory blood pressure and risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation in treated hypertensive patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of clinic and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) on the occurrence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in treated hypertensive patients. We studied 2135 sequential treated hypertensive patients aged >40 years. During the follow-up (mean 9.

Upfront triple oral combination therapy including selexipag in a high-risk patient with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: a case report.

Background: Selexipag is an oral selective prostacyclin IP receptor agonist approved in patients with low- and intermediate-risk pulmonary hypertension (PH); evidence in patients at high risk is lacking.

Case Summary: A 42-year-old woman with worsening dyspnoea (World Health Organization functional class III-IV) and suspected PH at echocardiographic examination was evaluated in our Pulmonary Hypertension Centre. Right heart catheterization showed pre-capillary PH with reduced cardiac index and increased pulmonary vascular resistance.

Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Masked and White Coat Uncontrolled Hypertension.

Background: Risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in masked and white coat uncontrolled hypertension (MUCH and WUCH, respectively) has not yet been investigated. We assessed the risk of new-onset AF in MUCH and WUCH detected by ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring.

Methods: The occurrence of AF was evaluated in 2,135 treated hypertensive patients aged >40 years, with baseline sinus rhythm, by electrocardiogram.

Prognostic nutritional index in elderly patients hospitalized for acute heart failure.

Aims: Acute heart failure (AHF) represents a frequent cause of hospitalization and is associated with significant mortality among elderly patients. Risk assessment models like the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) have been proposed to stratify the risk of death and identify patients requiring more intensive levels of care. We evaluated the predictive value of PNI for in-hospital and overall mortality in a cohort of consecutive elderly patients hospitalized for AHF.