
Atenolol Exposure as Risk for Adverse Metabolic Responses to Beta Blockers
HypertensionThe researchers hypothesize that the impact of increasing systemic exposure to atenolol leads to increased risk for adverse metabolic effects from atenolol therapy in hypertension. This will be accomplished through a 24-hour pharmacokinetic (PK) study and oral glucose tolerance test in hypertensive patients taking chronic atenolol 100 mg daily.

Adalat XL vs Diltiazem on Proteinuria and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Diabetic Patients
Diabetic NephropathiesHypertensionThe study consists of a 12 week run-in period when all subjects are stabilized on a single dose of Avalide (300 mg/12.5 mg or 300mg/25mg dose) per day. After this 12 week run-in ends, subjects will be randomly assigned to start the addition of either Adalat XL or Tiazac XC for 18 weeks of treatment. Subjects will have a 1 in 2 chance of receiving the study drug Adalat XL and a 1 in 2 chance of receiving the drug Tiazac XC. An end of treatment visit will be done 18 weeks after start of study drug. The expected duration of the study is 30 weeks. The purpose of this study is to compare the change in proteinuria, through a urine test, while taking study drug until high blood pressure (BP) is reduced to near normal levels in study subjects with diabetic nephropathy and hypertension.

Spironolactone Versus Amiloride as an Add on Agent in Resistant Hypertension
HypertensionJoint National Committee 7 (JNC-7) defines resistant hypertension as a persistent elevation of blood pressure (BP) above goal - ≥ 140/90 mm Hg for the general hypertensive population or ≥ 130/80 mm Hg for persons with diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease - for at least three months despite treatment with three or more optimally dosed antihypertensive agents, including a diuretic. The exact prevalence of resistant hypertension is uncertain but may include 5-20% of hypertensive persons in primary care settings and 15-35% of the older, higher cardiovascular risk hypertensive patients incorporated into recent clinical trials of antihypertensive therapy. Observational studies demonstrate that patients with resistant hypertension experience a higher rate of cardiovascular and renal target organ damage such as left ventricular hypertrophy, microalbuminuria, and renal insufficiency and more cardiovascular disease (CVD) events than patients whose hypertension is well-controlled. Additionally, resistant hypertension patients may be subjected to the considerable expense of multiple office visits, diagnostic testing for secondary causes of hypertension, and referral to hypertension specialists. Because multiple factors can contribute to resistant hypertension, an explicit, sequential approach to evaluation and management is essential to optimize blood pressure, reduce cardiorenal morbidity and mortality, and avoid unnecessary expense. A number of observational studies have suggested the potential efficacy of both spironolactone and amiloride when added to a 3 drug antihypertensive regimen, but to date no randomized study has directly compared the two agents. The goal of this study is to determine whether spironolactone or amiloride is the more effective fourth agent to add to a three drug regimen in patients with resistant hypertension.

Pre-clinical Cardiac Dysfunction Among Asymptomatic Hypertensive Patients
HypertensionHigh Blood Pressure3 moreThis project will evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of a novel, multidisciplinary approach to identify and treat pre-clinical cardiac dysfunction (PCCD) in asymptomatic hypertensive patients identified in a single center urban emergency department. Premature onset of pressure-related cardiac complications of hypertension (especially heart failure) has important implications for long-term survival, quality of life and healthcare costs. This project will target patients who have already developed pressure-related cardiac structural abnormalities yet remain symptom free. These individuals are at tremendous risk for progression to clinically overt heart failure and its associated consequences. We hypothesize that detection and treatment of patients with hypertension who have pre-clinical structural cardiac damage will enable forestallment of the disease process and offer the opportunity to reduce the burden of cardiac morbidity associated with hypertension. This project will implement a program to prospectively identify PCCD (using echocardiography) and provide treatment. At present, the optimal blood pressure goal for patients with PCCD is unknown so this study will randomize patients to 2 levels of blood pressure control: "normal", which is consistent with current national guidelines and "intensive", which will aim for a markedly lower blood pressure (< 120/80). Enrolled patients will receive active treatment and follow-up for 1 year. At the end of 1 year, we will evaluate: 1) the ability of this program to achieve blood pressure goals; 2) the cost effectiveness; and 3) the proportion in each blood pressure group who have evidence of disease regression on echocardiography.

Lifestyle Modification and Blood Pressure Study
High Blood PressureThe purpose of this study is to compare the effects of 24 weeks of either a blood pressure education and walking program versus a yoga exercise program versus the combined intervention of blood pressure education and yoga on reducing mild to moderate high blood pressure in pre-hypertension and stage 1 hypertension subjects.

Dose Determination Safety and Activity Study of Inhaled NX1011 to Treat Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension...
Pulmonary HypertensionThe purpose of this study is to determine the safety and maximum tolerated dose of inhaled NX1011 for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Recognition of Abnormal Pediatric Blood Pressures in Primary Care
HypertensionThis study will look at general pediatricians' effectiveness at screening children for elevated blood pressure values in the primary care setting. Two new screening tools will be introduced and their effectiveness will be measured against current practice by way of medical chart review.

OlmeSartan and Calcium Antagonists Randomized (OSCAR) Study
HypertensionCardiovascular DiseasesThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether high-dose angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) monotherapy or combination therapy with ARB and calcium channel blockers is more effective in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events in Japanese elderly high-risk hypertensive patients not adequately controlled by standard dose ARB alone.

Flavanol-Rich Cocoa and Cerebral Blood Flow
HypertensionDiabetesThe purpose of the study is to learn whether or not cocoa has a beneficial effect on blood flow to the brain in older subjects with diabetes mellitus or hypertension (high blood pressure). We hypothesize that cocoa, which contains flavanols (a type of polyphenol), may help to promote blood flow to the brain in older people with diabetes or hypertension.

Amlodipine Prevents Morning Blood Pressure Surge Study
HypertensionStudy name:Amlodipine Prevents Morning Blood Pressure Surge Study Study drugs:amlodipine (Norvasc®) and nifedipine GITS (Adalat®) Rationale: Several recent studies compared 24-h blood pressure lowering effect of these 2 dihydropyridine drugs, amlodipine and nifedipine GITS, but produced inconsistent results. Therefore, a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size is required to compare these 2 dihydropyridines in the blood pressure control over 24 hours in general and during early morning hours and at night in particular. Objective: The primary objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that amlodipine compared with nifedipine GITS has a stronger effect in preventing morning blood pressure surge (4 am to 8 am) in mild to moderate hypertensive patients.The secondary objective of the study is to compare the effects of amlodipine and nifedipine GITS in reducing nighttime blood pressure (10 pm to 4 am) in patients with a decreased nocturnal blood pressure fall. Study design: The present study is designed as a randomized, actively controlled, multi-centre parallel group trial (phase Ⅳ) with two equally sized treatment groups: amlodipine and nifedipine GITS. Study population: 500 hypertensive patients meet the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Randomization and treatment: After stratification for centre, 500 eligible patients will be randomized into 2 groups. 250 will receive amlodipine 5 mg per day, and 250 will receive nifedipine GITS 30 mg per day. At 4 weeks of follow-up, the drug dosage per day may increase to 10 mg of amlodipine and 60 mg of nifedipine GITS, if blood pressure measured in doctor's office cannot be controlled to a level below 140/90 mm Hg. If there were no compelling indication, no other antihypertensive drug is allowed during the 2-month trial. Follow up: All patients should give written informed consent at entry into the present study. In addition to 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, patients should also undergo a questionnaire survey and clinical measurements including clinic blood pressure. Patients will be followed up at the end of 4 weeks and 8 weeks after randomization. Sample size estimation: The number of required subject for the whole trial is 500. Timeline: October 2009 to July 2013. Organization: The Centre for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China.