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Current Cardiology Reports Nov 2023To provide an update and review approaches to the treatment of resistant hypertension (RH) with a focus on emerging potential therapies. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To provide an update and review approaches to the treatment of resistant hypertension (RH) with a focus on emerging potential therapies.
RECENT FINDINGS
Resistant hypertension is defined as a blood pressure that remains elevated above a patient's individualized target despite the concurrent use of 3 antihypertensive agents of different classes including a diuretic or use of 4 or more antihypertensive agents. Patients with RH have an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Most RH is attributed to apparent RH and is not true RH. True RH is a diagnosis of exclusion after apparent RH has been excluded. Treatment of RH is challenging, and blood pressure goal is often difficult to achieve. Currently several new therapies have emerged with forthcoming data that provide promise for improved blood pressure control in those with resistant hypertension. Once RH has been diagnosed, patients should be on standardized therapy that includes agents from three different classes including a diuretic with addition in most cases of a mineralocorticoid as a fourth line agent. There are newer agents in development currently being studied in clinical trials including dual endothelin receptor antagonists and aldosterone synthase inhibitors that appear to be efficacious. Other approved medications including SGLT2 inhibitors and non-steroidal mineralocorticoids such as finerenone also need to be incorporated into treatment paradigms. Renal denervation with catheter based devices is another potential promising treatment option in this population.
Topics: Humans; Antihypertensive Agents; Hypertension; Blood Pressure; Kidney; Diuretics; Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists
PubMed: 37755638
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01966-8 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; Hypertension; Diuretics
PubMed: 38316445
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2023-075174 -
JAMA Network Open Nov 2023Clinical trial data have called into question the efficacy of thiazide diuretics for the prevention of kidney stones. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Clinical trial data have called into question the efficacy of thiazide diuretics for the prevention of kidney stones.
OBJECTIVE
To identify whether there is an association between genetic proxies of thiazide diuretics and the risk of kidney stones.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This genetic association study undertook a mendelian randomization analysis of derived exposures and outcomes from genome-wide association study summary statistics. Genetic proxies of thiazide diuretics were derived from the International Consortium for Blood Pressure. Kidney stone cases and controls were derived from the Million Veteran Program, UK Biobank, and the FinnGen study. These cross-sectional designs do not report a duration of follow-up. Data analysis was performed in May 2023.
EXPOSURE
Genetic proxies of thiazide diuretics were genetic variants in the thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter gene associated with systolic blood pressure. Genetic proxies of β-blockers and systolic blood pressure served as negative controls.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The main outcome was the odds of kidney stones. The secondary outcomes were serum laboratory values relevant to the treatment of kidney stones.
RESULTS
The main analysis included up to 1 079 657 individuals, including 50 832 kidney stone cases and 1 028 825 controls. In a meta-analysis of all cohorts, genetic proxies of thiazide diuretics were associated with a lower odds of kidney stones (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.81-0.89; P < .001). Genetic proxies of β-blockers (OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.96-1.07; P = .52) and systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 1.00-1.01; P = .49) were not associated with kidney stones. Genetic proxies of thiazide diuretics were associated with higher serum calcium (β [SE], 0.051 [0.0092]; P < .001) and total cholesterol (β [SE], 0.065 [0.015]; P < .001), but lower serum potassium (β [SE], -0.073 [0.022]; P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this genetic association study, genetic proxies of thiazide diuretics were associated with reduced kidney stone risk. This finding reflects a drug effect over the course of a lifetime, unconstrained by the limited follow-up period of clinical trials.
Topics: Humans; Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Genome-Wide Association Study; Kidney Calculi
PubMed: 37962888
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.43290 -
The Journal of Clinical Investigation Jan 2024Mineralocorticoid excess commonly leads to hypertension (HTN) and kidney disease. In our study, we used single-cell expression and chromatin accessibility tools to...
Mineralocorticoid excess commonly leads to hypertension (HTN) and kidney disease. In our study, we used single-cell expression and chromatin accessibility tools to characterize the mineralocorticoid target genes and cell types. We demonstrated that mineralocorticoid effects were established through open chromatin and target gene expression, primarily in principal and connecting tubule cells and, to a lesser extent, in segments of the distal convoluted tubule cells. We examined the kidney-protective effects of steroidal and nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid antagonists (MRAs), as well as of amiloride, an epithelial sodium channel inhibitor, in a rat model of deoxycorticosterone acetate, unilateral nephrectomy, and high-salt consumption-induced HTN and cardiorenal damage. All antihypertensive therapies protected against cardiorenal damage. However, finerenone was particularly effective in reducing albuminuria and improving gene expression changes in podocytes and proximal tubule cells, even with an equivalent reduction in blood pressure. We noted a strong correlation between the accumulation of injured/profibrotic tubule cells expressing secreted posphoprotein 1 (Spp1), Il34, and platelet-derived growth factor subunit b (Pdgfb) and the degree of fibrosis in rat kidneys. This gene signature also showed a potential for classifying human kidney samples. Our multiomics approach provides fresh insights into the possible mechanisms underlying HTN-associated kidney disease, the target cell types, the protective effects of steroidal and nonsteroidal MRAs, and amiloride.
Topics: Rats; Humans; Animals; Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; Chromatin; Amiloride; Mineralocorticoids; Kidney; Hypertension; Kidney Diseases; Gene Expression Profiling
PubMed: 37906287
DOI: 10.1172/JCI157165 -
European Heart Journal Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Diuretics; Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; Metolazone; Heart Failure
PubMed: 37572039
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad463 -
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia :... Sep 2023Acute heart failure (HF) decompensation generally manifests with signs and symptoms of congestion that strongly predict poor poor patient outcome. Loop diuretics are the... (Review)
Review
Acute heart failure (HF) decompensation generally manifests with signs and symptoms of congestion that strongly predict poor poor patient outcome. Loop diuretics are the cornerstone of therapy to counteract fluid overload and are widely used for acute management and chronic stabilization of HF. However, a diminished response to loop diuretics is a common problem, affecting the patient's clinical course and potentially prolonging hospitalization. Diuretic resistance is defined as failure to decongest despite appropriate and escalating loop diuretic therapy. We propose a protocol for the management of diuretic resistance. The initial approach should include an assessment of causes of pseudo-diuretic resistance. Adjustments to loop diuretic therapy, such as increasing doses and frequency of administration and sequential nephron blockade, may be successful. For hospitalized patients with progressive disease there are more invasive methods for fluid removal. Switching from oral to intravenous loop diuretics is essential to avoid variable absorption and for symptomatic relief. Extracorporeal ultrafiltration is also an option since this technique is highly effective at removing plasma fluid from blood. While extracorporeal ultrafiltration is an invasive solution, peritoneal dialysis is a home-based, intermittent therapeutic option that can enable efficient management of fluid overload, preventing HF-related hospital admission, and improving quality of life. As a last resort for fluid removal, a peritoneal dialysis regimen should fully exploit its decongestive properties and should be tailored to the patient's characteristics and clinical needs.
Topics: Humans; Diuretics; Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; Ultrafiltration; Quality of Life; Heart Failure
PubMed: 36948455
DOI: 10.1016/j.repc.2022.05.012 -
Internal Medicine Journal Oct 2023Resistant hypertension (RHT) is typically defined as blood pressure that remains above guideline-directed targets despite the use of three anti-hypertensives, usually... (Review)
Review
Resistant hypertension (RHT) is typically defined as blood pressure that remains above guideline-directed targets despite the use of three anti-hypertensives, usually including a diuretic, at optimal or maximally tolerated doses. It is generally estimated to affect 10-30% of those diagnosed with hypertension, though the true incidence might be lower after one factor in the prevalence of non-adherence. Risk factors for its development include diabetes, obesity and other adverse lifestyle factors, and a diagnosis of RHT confers a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, such as stroke, heart failure and mortality. It is essential to exclude pseudoresistance and secondary hypertension and to ensure non-pharmacologic management is optimised prior to consideration of fourth-line anti-hypertensive agents or advanced interventions, such as device therapies. In this review, we will cover the different definitions of RHT, along with the importance of careful diagnosis and management strategies, and discuss newer agents and research needs.
Topics: Humans; Hypertension; Antihypertensive Agents; Blood Pressure; Diuretics; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37493367
DOI: 10.1111/imj.16189 -
European Journal of Preventive... Oct 2023Fluid retention is a major determinant of symptoms in patients with heart failure (HF), and it is closely associated with prognosis. Hence, congestion represents a...
Fluid retention is a major determinant of symptoms in patients with heart failure (HF), and it is closely associated with prognosis. Hence, congestion represents a critical therapeutic target in this clinical setting. The first therapeutic strategy in HF patients with fluid overload is optimization of diuretic intervention to maximize water and sodium excretion. When diuretic therapy fails to relieve congestion, renal replacement therapy represents the only alternative option for fluid removal, as well as a way to restore diuretic responsiveness. On this background, the pathophysiology of fluid balance in HF is complex, with heart, kidney, and lung being deeply involved in volume regulation and management. Therefore, the interplay between these organs should be appreciated and considered when fluid overload in HF patients is targeted.
Topics: Humans; Heart Failure; Heart; Kidney; Water-Electrolyte Balance; Diuretics
PubMed: 37819223
DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad166 -
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue... Apr 2024Acute heart failure (AHF) is a frequent cause for emergency consultations, leads to long hospital stays and is characterized by high mortality and rehospitalization... (Review)
Review
Acute heart failure (AHF) is a frequent cause for emergency consultations, leads to long hospital stays and is characterized by high mortality and rehospitalization rates, with the first months after hospitalization having the highest risk («vulnerable phase»). The clinical presentation is usually characterized by fluid accumulation. Over the last three decades, few advances have been achieved in the treatment of AHF, as most studies with diuretics or vasodilators failed to show positive effects in terms of mortality and rehospitalization rates. In this context, the treatment of AHF must have an integrative approach, consisting of rapid correction of systemic congestion on the one hand, and specific therapies for the precipitating factors, the underlying cardiac pathology, and non-cardiac comorbidities on the other. Recently, it has been shown that a rapid and intensive up-titration of oral heart failure medical therapy during and immediately after hospitalization can improve the prognosis during the vulnerable phase after AHF. In this article, the principles of optimization and personalization of diuretic therapy and oral heart failure medication during hospitalization and the early outpatient phase after AHF are discussed.
Topics: Heart Failure; Humans; Acute Disease; Diuretics; Prognosis; Patient Readmission; Vasodilator Agents; Hospitalization
PubMed: 38780210
DOI: 10.23785/TU.2024.02.004 -
British Journal of Hospital Medicine... Dec 2023Thiazide diuretics exert a natriuretic and diuretic effect by inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule. Furthermore, thiazide diuretics affect...
Thiazide diuretics exert a natriuretic and diuretic effect by inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule. Furthermore, thiazide diuretics affect renal calcium handling by increasing calcium reabsorption, leading to hypocalciuria. The effect that thiazide diuretics exert on parathyroid hormone secretion is controversial. Some studies found parathyroid hormone levels were suppressed with the use of thiazide diuretics, while others found that thiazides were associated with initial parathyroid hormone suppression followed by raised parathyroid hormone levels. This makes the relationship between thiazide diuretics and primary hyperparathyroidism interesting. If a patient is taking thiazide diuretics, this may make it harder to establish the aetiology of hypercalcaemia and may unmask normocalcaemic or mild primary hyperparathyroidism. Thiazide diuretics may have a beneficial role in the diagnosis of patients with concomitant hyperparathyroidism and hypercalciuria by distinguishing secondary hyperparathyroidism caused by hypercalciuria from normocalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism. In addition, thiazide diuretics may have a role in managing patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who have an indication for parathyroidectomy in view of significant hypercalciuria, but are unfit for surgery.
Topics: Humans; Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; Calcium; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary; Hypercalciuria; Diuretics; Parathyroid Hormone
PubMed: 38153014
DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2023.0228