Effect of Incretin-Based Therapies on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aims: Hypertension and obesity frequently coexist and synergistically increase cardiovascular (CV) risk. Incretin-based therapies with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP)/GLP1-RAs, and glucagon/GIP/GLP-1RAs lead to substantial weight loss. However, their antihypertensive efficacy and safety profile have not been comprehensively quantified.

Predictive Modeling of Acute Hypertensive Disorders in a Real-World Cohort: Integrating Clinical Predictors and Data-Driven Methods.

: Acute hypertensive disorders, including hypertensive emergencies (HEs) and urgencies (HUs), are a frequent cause of emergency department (ED) visits. Early differentiation between HEs and HUs is essential, as their clinical management and prognostic implications differ substantially. : We retrospectively analyzed patients admitted to an Italian second-level ED between January and June 2022 with systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure(DBP) ≥ 110 mmHg.

Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction assessed by global longitudinal strain correlates with mild cognitive impairment in hypertensive patients.

Prevention of dementia represents a public health priority. Hypertension is a risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to progressive dementia. A great effort is underway to develop accurate and sensitive tools to detect the MCI condition in hypertensive patients.

Epigenetic mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of cardiac rehabilitation. An overview from the working groups of "cellular and molecular biology of the heart" and "cardiac rehabilitation and cardiovascular prevention" of the Italian Society of Cardiology (SIC).

The benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) have been demonstrated in patients after myocardial infarction (MI), and in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). The core components of the CR program include improvement in exercise tolerance and optimization of coronary risk factors (i.e.

Aortic Remodeling in Patients with Arterial Hypertension: Pathophysiological Mechanisms, Therapeutic Interventions and Preventive Strategies-A Position Paper from the Heart and Hypertension Working Group of the Italian Society of Hypertension.

In patient with arterial hypertension the whole aorta is exposed to increased wall stress due to pressure overload. Different blood pressure (BP) components have been reported as main determinant of aortic remodelling. In particular increased diastolic BP has been associated with aortic dilatation across all its segments with smaller increase in aortic root and ascending aorta related to increased systolic BP and pulse pressure.

Screening of primary aldosteronism and pheochromocytoma among patients with hypertension: an Italian nationwide survey.

Purpose: The delayed or missed diagnosis of secondary hypertension contributes to the poor blood pressure control worldwide. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic approach to primary aldosteronism (PA) and pheochromocytoma (PHEO) among Italian centers associated to European and Italian Societies of Hypertension.

Methods: Between July and December 2023, a 10-items questionnaire was administered to experts from 82 centers of 14 Italian regions and to cardiologists from the ARCA (Associazioni Regionali Cardiologi Ambulatoriali) Piemonte.

The effects of Dapagliflozin in a real-world population of HFrEF patients with different hemodynamic profiles: worse is better.

Background: Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) represent a deep revolution of the therapeutic approach to heart failure (HF), preventing its insurgence but also improving the management of the disease and slowing its natural progression. To date, few studies have explored the effectiveness of SGLT2i and, in particular, Dapagliflozin in a real-world population. Therefore, in this observational prospective study, we evaluated Dapagliflozin's effectiveness in a real-world HF population categorized in the different hemodynamic profiles.

Exploring the Impact of Inhaled Corticosteroids on Endothelial Function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Rehabilitation.

: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction, which can be assessed non-invasively through flow-mediated dilation (FMD). In this study, we evaluated the potential impact of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy on FMD of COPD patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR). : Medical records of COPD patients undergoing FMD assessment upon admission to our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit were reviewed in this retrospective post hoc analysis.

Prolonged Time-to-antihypertensive Therapy Worsens Organ Damage and Blood Pressure Control in Arterial Hypertension.

Introduction: Delay in arterial hypertension (AH) diagnosis and late therapy initiation may affect progression towards hypertensive-mediated organ damage (HMOD) and blood pressure (BP) control.

Aim: We aimed to assess the impact of time-to-therapy on BP control and HMOD in patients receiving AH diagnosis.

Methods: We analysed data from the Campania Salute Network, a prospective registry of hypertensive patients (NCT02211365).

Management of Renovascular Hypertension and Renal Denervation in Patients with Hypertension: An Italian Nationwide Survey.

Introduction: Renovascular hypertension (RVH) remains underdiagnosed despite its significant cardiovascular and renal morbidity.

Aim: This survey investigated screening and management practices for RVH among hypertensive patients in Italian hypertension centres in a real-life setting. Secondary, we analysed the current spread of renal denervation (RDN) and the criteria used for its eligibility.

Sex-Related Differences in Left Ventricular Geometry Patterns in Patients With Arterial Hypertension.

Background: Sex-specific differences in left ventricular (LV) geometry might help in developing tailored strategies for hypertension management.

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate sex-related differences in LV geometry at baseline and over time in hypertension.

Methods: From a prospective registry, we included hypertensives without prevalent cardiovascular disease, incident myocardial infarction, chronic kidney disease > stage III, and with normal LV ejection fraction.

Secondary prevention and extreme cardiovascular risk evaluation (SEVERE-0): Prevalence of extreme cardiovascular risk in cardiological rehabilitation patients and its impact on functional improvement.

Background And Aims: Patients with recent Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) or Chronic Coronary Syndrome (CCS) are all at very high CardioVascular (CV) risk. However, some of them are more likely to experience recurrent cardiovascular events (i.e extreme CV risk).

Serum parathormone, vitamin D and cardiovascular risk factors and markers: A pilot study.

Background And Aims: Vitamin D deficiency is a common cause of secondary hyperparathyroidism, particularly in elderly people. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of serum vitamin D and parathormone (PTH) concentrations with blood pressure values and hypertension-mediated target organ damage (HMOD), including left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and carotid plaque (CP).

Methods And Results: We enrolled consecutive patients admitted to the Hypertension Center of Federico II University Hospital in Naples, Italy.

Endotyping Chronic Respiratory Diseases: T2 Inflammation in the United Airways Model.

Over the past 15 years, the paradigm of viewing the upper and lower airways as a unified system has progressively shifted the approach to chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). As the global prevalence of CRDs continues to increase, it becomes evident that acknowledging the presence of airway pathology as an integrated entity could profoundly impact healthcare resource allocation and guide the implementation of pharmacological and rehabilitation strategies. In the era of precision medicine, endotyping has emerged as another novel approach to CRDs, whereby pathologies are categorized into distinct subtypes based on specific molecular mechanisms.

Syncope in the Emergency Department: A Practical Approach.

Syncope is a common condition encountered in the emergency department (ED), accounting for about 0.6-3% of all ED visits. Despite its high frequency, a widely accepted management strategy for patients with syncope in the ED is still missing.

Application of the 2016 ASE-EACVI Criteria for the Assessment of Diastolic Function in Arterial Hypertension.

Introduction: No data are available on the diagnostic algorithms recommended by guidelines for the assessment of diastolic dysfunction (DD) in patients with arterial hypertension.

Aim: To fill this gap, we evaluated diastolic function in hypertensive patients with and without LVH matched with healthy subjects by applying 2016 American Society of Echocardiography-European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Guidelines for the evaluation of LV diastolic function.

Methods: 717 healthy and hypertensives with normal LV ejection fraction and with and without LV hypertrophy (LVH), matched 1:1:1 from two prospective registries, represented the study population.

Obesity: the perfect storm for heart failure.

Obesity condition causes morphological and functional alterations involving the cardiovascular system. These can represent the substrates for different cardiovascular diseases, such as atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, sudden cardiac death, and heart failure (HF) with both preserved ejection fraction (EF) and reduced EF. Different pathogenetic mechanisms may help to explain the association between obesity and HF including left ventricular remodelling and epicardial fat accumulation, endothelial dysfunction, and coronary microvascular dysfunction.

Novel Strategies in Diagnosing Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a prevalent global condition affecting approximately 50% of the HF population. With the aging of the worldwide population, its incidence and prevalence are expected to rise even further. Unfortunately, until recently, no effective medications were available to reduce the high mortality and hospitalization rates associated with HFpEF, making it a significant unmet need in cardiovascular medicine.