Simvastatin in Patients With Isolated Arterial Hypertension
HypertensionThe purpose of this study is to determine whether combined therapy with simvastatin and hypotensive drugs (ACEI or ARB) may decrease the blood pressure. Moreover, we would like to assess the influence of isolated hypertension on endothelial injury, and on the development of atherosclerosis.
The Efficacy of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Primary Open Angle GlaucomaOcular Hypertension2 moreSelective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) is a new method to reduce intraocular pressure in eyes with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. SLT may also be effective for cases with previously failed ALT procedures. We will study the efficacy and safety of the SLT procedure.
Effects of Iloprost Treatment in Adult Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Related to...
Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionThe prevalence of PAH associated with congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts in Western countries has been estimated to range between 1.6 and 12.5 cases per million adults, with 25-50% of this population affected by Eisenmenger's syndrome. The rarity of this syndrome, combined with its complex pathophysiology, account for the insufficient understanding of the principles underlying its proper treatment.Recent decades have seen developments in pulmonary hypertension pathophysiology which have led to the introduction of new groups of drugs: prostacycline analogs (Epoprostenol, Treprostinil, Beraprost, Illoprost), phosphodiesterase inhibitors (Sildenafil, Tadalafil), endothelin receptor antagonists (Bosentan, Sitaxantan, Ambrisentan) and nitric oxide. These drugs should be administered to patients in III-IV NYHA class. Despite successful early results, the therapeutic effect on patients with Eisenmenger syndrome has not been conclusively established The treatment strategy for patients with PAH associated with congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunts and, in particular, those with Eisenmenger's syndrome is based mainly on clinical experience rather than being evidence based. Although Eisenmenger's syndrome is uncurable disease, the survival rate is relatively higher than primary PAH, and the patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome are relatively younger group. So the improvement of exercise tolerance and quality of life is very important. Several randomized controlled trial reported favourable short- and long-term outcomes of treatment with the orally active dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome. However, there was scare data of outcomes of treatment with the inhaled iloprost in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome. In Korea, most of patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome are treated with conservative therapy instead of administration of PAH-specific drug, because of lack of clinical experience. Moreover, oral agent such as bosentan, sidenafil is preferred than iloprost becase of more evidence and convenience. Our therapeutic efforts should be directed mainly towards preventing complications. As a rule, we should avoid agents with no established therapeutic efficacy and try to alleviate symptoms without any additional risk, so as not to disrupt the existing clinical balance. In this study, we investigate to know the clinical benefit of iloprost on patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome by the use of functional and hemodynamic parameters, which would add the evidence of PAH-specific agents on the Eisenmenger's syndrome
The Potential Role of Testosterone on Target Organ Damage in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Women
HypertensionThe incidence of CVD-related deaths is generally higher in women than men. Postmenopausal changes in estrogen/androgen ratio that induce a relative androgen excess have been proposed as important factors in the higher prevalence of hypertension. Therefore, the investigators hypothesize that testosterone has potential role between hypertension and target organ damage in postmenopausal hypertensive women. And the objective is to evaluate the effects of testosterone between hypertension and target organ damage in postmenopausal hypertensive women.
Assessment of Blood Coagulation Disorders in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary Artery HypertensionChronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary HypertensionThe objective of the present study is to assess blood coagulation disorders in patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension. The investigators aim to evaluate any possible coagulation abnormalities related to the patients' primary disease and any possible effects the pulmonary hypertension- specific therapy may have on hemostasis.
WFA+M2BP in Evaluation of Portal Hypertension and Clinical Outcome in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis...
Portal HypertensionCirrhosisPortal hypertension is a common complication of chronic liver diseases and is responsible for most clinical consequences of cirrhosis. measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG) is the gold standard for evaluating the presence and severity of portal hypertension, this technique is considered invasive and is not routinely performed in all centers. Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-positive human Mac-2 binding protein (WFA+-M2BP) is a secreted N-glycoprotein, which has been reported as a novel marker in assessing liver fibrosis.However, the correlation of WFA+-M2BP with HVPG is unclear.The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between WFA+-M2BP and HVPG.
The Effects of Commercial Air Travel on Patients Suffering From Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary HypertensionPulmonary Arterial HypertensionThe aim of this study is to 1) descriptively report possible in flight events and 2) to provide regression analysis if the number of events are statistically significant in their prevalence and thus are useful in finding possible parameters in echocardiography, right heart catheterization, laboratory findings, spiroergometry as well as six minute walk test to produce a risk assessment for possible expected in flight adverse events as well as a recommendation concerning the need of supplemental oxygen for each individual patient. The investigators therefore want to find out: In which subgroup (if applicable) of PH patients in flight adverse events are more frequent. Whether there are parameters (from blood samples, blood gas analysis, World Health Organization-Functional Class (WHO-FC), Six Minute Walk (SMW), echocardiography, right heart catheter (RHC)) that are able to predict in flight need for additional oxygen and/or possible adverse events.
Respiratory Monitoring During Right Heart
Pulmonary HypertensionHeart FailureRespiratory monitoring during right heart catheterization to differentiate between various types of pulmonary hypertension; The effects of the cardiovascular system on the lung mechanical properties.
24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Patients With Blood Pressure Above Thresholds in...
HypertensionBlood Pressure Monitoring2 moreHigh blood pressure (HBP) is a major modifiable cardiovascular risk factor which prevalence is gradually increasing. Reducing blood pressure (BP) significantly decreases cardiovascular morbi-mortality. Nevertheless, BP control remains insufficient: only 51% of French patients using antihypertensive drugs achieve the BP control targets. HBP is mostly diagnosed and managed in primary care. Nevertheless, office BP measurements are unreliable for BP control and poorer predict target organ damage. Ambulatory BP measurements are recommended for HBP diagnosis and follow-up. 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is the most cost-effective strategy. Its superiority has been demonstrated for HBP diagnosis and cardiovascular prognosis. In France, ABPM is poorly available and little studied in primary care. Therefore, the investigators conducted a regional prospective study to analyze the feasibility and benefits of ABPM among primary care hypertensive patients in daily practice.
Smartphone App Assisted Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Amongst Hypertensive Patients in Singapore...
HypertensionBackground: Hypertension is the leading attributable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death globally. In diagnosing and monitoring hypertensive patient population, home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) has been shown to be superior to the office-based blood pressure (BP) measurement as a predictor of cardiovascular disease and total mortality. However, the conventional method of HBPM utilizing handwritten BP logbooks has known shortcomings, mainly attributable to inaccuracy and underreporting of data, as well as the failure to bring the logbooks to the regular outpatient appointments. In recent years, the availability of home BP devices with Bluetooth® technology on the market, the increasingly widespread use of smartphones, and the development of mobile applications (apps) that complement Bluetooth® enabled BP monitors have expanded the potential for an accurate log of BP data to be accessible to clinicians. Our study's primary aim is to compare the level of HBPM recording fidelity using smartphone app versus using a handwritten logbook among the multi-ethnic hypertensive patient population seen in a district polyclinic located in Pasir Ris, Singapore. Patient acceptability of the two recording modalities and the association between the home blood pressure recording fidelity and the patients' socio-demographic background, self-care profile, clinical factors, and level of exposure to technology is also assessed as exploratory aims. Our main hypothesis is that the level of fidelity in HBPM recording, defined as the proportion of scheduled number of home blood pressure readings that is successfully recorded, regimen compliant, and made available at the final follow up visit, would be higher for patients who use a smartphone app versus those who maintain a handwritten logbook. Methods/design: Open, randomized controlled trial of 80 patients seen at Pasir Ris Polyclinic randomized to either intervention or control arm and assessed after a 3-week follow up period Intervention arm: Participants randomized to intervention arm follow a 3-week HBPM regimen and wirelessly record the BP readings onto a smartphone app using Bluetooth® technology. Control arm: Participants randomized to control arm follow a 3-week HBPM regimen (identical to intervention arm) and manually record the BP readings onto a handwritten logbook. Participants: A convenience sample of 80 patients visiting the study polyclinic was obtained during the recruitment period (15 Mar 2017 - 15 June 2017). Outcomes: A trained outcomes assessor will assess each participant's home BP record brought to the final follow up visit at 3 weeks post-randomization. The primary outcome will be HBPM recording fidelity, defined as the proportion of scheduled number of home blood pressure readings that is successfully recorded, regimen compliant, and made available at the final follow up visit. The participants' level of discomfort during the study, their willingness to incorporate into their healthcare management the modality of HBPM to which they were assigned, and their overall impression on their study participation will be assessed by a participant acceptability questionnaire.