GLP-1 receptor agonists and cardiovascular outcome trials: An update

Major cardiovascular (CV) outcome trials with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are currently available. These agonists have proven their CV safety, in harmony with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendation for antidiabetic drugs. The potential cardioprotective effect of incretin-based therapies is attributed to their multiple non-glycaemic actions in the CV system, including changes in insulin resistance, weight loss, reduction in blood pressure, improved lipid profile and direct effects on the heart and vascular endothelium. Liraglutide, semaglutide and albiglutide have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), whereas lixisenatide and extended-release exenatide had a neutral effect. Thus, it is conceivable that there are different drug-specific properties across the class of GLP-1 RAs. In this review, we discuss the results of the five recently published randomised CV outcome trials with GLP-1 RAs, along with the potential differences and the pleiotropic actions of these agents on the CV system. © 2018 Hellenic Society of Cardiolog

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in resistant hypertension

ABPM constitutes a valuable tool in the diagnosis of RH. The identification of white coat RH and masked hypertension (which may fulfill or not the definition of RH) is of great importance in the clinical management of such patients. Moreover, the various ABPM components such as average BP values, circadian BP variability patterns, and ambulatory BP-derived indices, such as ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI), add significantly to the risk stratification of RH. Lastly, ABPM may indicate the need for implementation of specific therapeutic strategies, such as chronotherapy, that is, administration-time dependent therapy, and the evaluation of their efficacy. © 2011 Dimitrios Syrseloudis et al

Anti-hypertensive treatment in peripheral artery disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Hypertension has been related to increased risk of PAD. The treatment of elevated blood pressure (BP) in these patients is indicated to lower the cardiovascular risk with a BP goal of less than 130/80 mmHg. Although there is no evidence that one class of antihypertensive medication or strategy is superior for BP lowering in PAD, the use of renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) inhibitors can be effective to reduce the cardiovascular risk. Beta-blockers (BBs) are not contraindicated. In the presence of carotid atherosclerosis, calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors are recommended. In fibromuscular dysplasia the treatment of choice is percutaneous renal angioplasty. In renal artery disease optimal medical therapy includes RAS inhibitors, CCBs, BBs and diuretics. © 2018 Elsevier Lt