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C Bulpitt

Publications and source records attributed to C Bulpitt.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Long-term converting-enzyme inhibition as a guide to surgical curability of hypertension associated with renovascular disease.

Converting-enzyme inhibition as a guide to the hypotensive response to be expected from surgery was evaluated in 27 hypertensive patients with renovascular disease. Blood pressure averaged 163 +/- 5/102 +/- 2 mm Hg (mean +/- standard error of the mean) during converting-enzyme inhibition with captopril, 518 +/- 29 mg daily for 2.8 +/- 0.3 months, and stabilized at a similar level of 165 +/- 4/104 +/- 3 mm Hg during 5.0 +/- 0.6 months of postoperative follow-up, when no medication was administered. Postoperative pressure, both systolic (r = +0.53; p = 0.004) and diastolic (r = +0.55; p = 0.003), was correlated with blood pressure during converting-enzyme inhibition. In addition, multiple regression analysis identified systolic pressure during converting-enzyme inhibition as the only significant (p less than 0.01) predictor of postoperative systolic pressure. Diastolic pressure during converting-enzyme inhibition (p less than 0.05) in conjunction with circulating renin (p less than 0.05) and renin suppression from the contralateral kidney (p less than 0.01) explained up to 53% of the postoperative diastolic pressure. Therefore, blood pressure during long-term converting-enzyme inhibition may be useful as a predictor of the postoperative blood pressure in hypertensive patients with renovascular disease.

Adult↗

Four urinary cations and blood pressure. A population study in two Belgian towns.

The relationship between blood pressure and the 24-hour urinary excretion of four cations (Ca, Mg, K, Na) was investigated in a random sample of 688 inhabitants of two Belgian towns. In 160 youths aged 10-19 years, systolic/diastolic blood pressure averaged 118 +/- 12.6/65 +/- 8.6 mmHg (mean +/- standard deviation) and the urinary excretion of the four urinary cations was broadly similar in both sexes. Adjusting for body weight removed the strong relationship between blood pressure and age, but a positive relationship between systolic pressure and pulse rate emerged. The only association between blood pressure and a urinary constituent was with calcium excretion, and this correlation was no longer apparent after adjusting for weight. In 528 adults aged greater than or equal to 20 years, systolic/diastolic pressure averaged 130 +/- 14.4/77 +/- 9.8 (p less than 0.001) higher in male than in female subjects. In these adults, both systolic and diastolic pressure were strongly and independently correlated with age and body weight. Systolic pressure in women was also significantly and positively related to pulse rate (r = +0.20; p less than 0.001). After adjusting for age and body weight, systolic and diastolic pressure in men were significantly and negatively correlated (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.01, respectively) with urinary potassium excretion. Diastolic pressure in men was weakly but positively correlated with calcium excretion (p less than 0.05 after adjusting for body weight, age and urinary potassium excretion). The present study indicates that urinary potassium is a consistent and negative predictor of both systolic and diastolic pressure in adult men, whose diastolic pressure was also weakly and positively associated with urinary calcium. In youths and female subjects, the single 24-hour urinary excretion of the four cations did not contribute to the prediction of blood pressure.

Adolescent↗

The progress of patients in the European Working Party on Hypertension in the Elderly trial.

792 hypertensive patients above the age of 60 have entered the double-blind multicentre trial of the European Working Party on High blood pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE). Half were treated with hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene and half were given placebo and a second capsule was given and if necessary up to 2 g of methyldopa/day. The measurements in a sample of 157 patients suggested 80-86% compliance rate. A significant blood pressure difference of 25/10 mm Hg was obtained between the groups and maintained during five years of follow-up. The increase in serum creatinine found in the actively treated group was related to the decrease in sitting systolic blood pressure. Changes in serum uric acid correlated with changes in serum creatinine both in the placebo and in the actively treated group. Fasting blood glucose changed significantly in the active treatment group. The balance between this decreased risk on the basis of the blood pressure reduction and the increase produced by the rise in blood glucose and the other treatment effects remains to be determined. The trial continues and more patients are being admitted.

Aged↗

Response of the systemic and pulmonary circulation to converting-enzyme inhibition (captopril) at rest and during exercise in hypertensive patients.

Twenty sodium-replete patients with hypertension were allocated either to a placebo or to a captopril treatment group. Each patient was investigated in rest-recumbent (RR) and rest-sitting (RS) positions and during an uninterrupted, graded, submaximal exercise test (up to the anaerobic threshold) before treatment, and with a similar protocol 75 minutes after treatment with captopril or placebo on the same morning. Captopril decreased brachial intraarterial pressure by 7/4 mm Hg at RR, by 16/10 mm Hg at RS, and by 19/10 mm Hg during exercise (p less than 0.001), based on a decrease of systemic vascular resistance (p less than 0.001). Slight increases of cardiac output and of heart rate were noted at rest; cardiac output was not significantly affected during exercise, but the increase of heart rate of 2.4 beats/min was significant (p less than 0.01). Captopril decreased pulmonary artery (p less than 0.05) and capillary wedge pressures (p less than 0.001), with unchanged pulmonary vascular resistance. The data indicate that the action of captopril is characterized by arteriolar and possibly venous dilatation both at rest and during exercise. Pulmonary vascular resistance, however, is not affected.

Adult↗

Antihypertensive therapy in patients above age 60 with systolic hypertension. A progress report of the European Working Party on High Blood Pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE).

1. Although systolic blood pressure elevation is responsible for increased incidence of cardiovascular accidents in old people, the preventive benefit of lowering systolic hypertension in elderly has not been confirmed. 2. A double blind study comparing the effects of a placebo and of an active regimen (hydrochlorothiazide-triamterene with or without methyldopa) in people over 60 years with isolated systolic hypertension has been undertaken by the European Working Party on High blood pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE). 3. The actively treated group shows a lowered sitting blood pressure (-15/6 mm Hg), a mild increase of serum creatine, serum uric acid and blood glucose and a mild decrease of serum potassium after two years of treatment when compared to the spontaneous changes observed in the placebo treated group. 4. The study is continuing to evaluate if the blood pressure reduction prevents or reduces the incidence of cardiovascular accidents, although some biochemical changes were provoked by the treatment.

Aged↗

Influence of anti-hypertensive therapy on serum cholesterol in elderly hypertensive patients. Results of trial by the European Working Party on High blood pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE).

In the European Working Party trial on High blood pressure in the Elderly, patients over 60 are randomly allocated either to receive diuretic capsules containing 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide and 50 mg triamterene or matching placebos. If the blood pressure remains high those receiving active diuretic treatment also receive methyldopa. Those receiving a placebo diuretic area given placebo methyldopa tablets. The study is double blind, started in 1974 and is still in progress. Three hundred and thirty-one patients have now been followed for 1 year and of these 190 have been followed for 2 and 90 for 3 years. After 1 year the serum cholesterol in the placebo group fell by an average of 10.4 mg/100 ml; over 2 years the fall was 16.0 mg/100 ml and over 3 years 20.8 mg/100 ml (6.7%). The corresponding results for the actively treated group were falls of 3.1 mg/100 ml; 20.3 mg/100 ml and 17.3 mg/100 ml (6.6%). Over a period of up to 3 years the average fall in cholesterol was 5.9 mg/100 ml/year in the placebo group and 5.0 mg/100 ml/year in the actively treated group. Thus the changes in serum cholesterol were similar whether the patients received active or placebo medication. In particular there was no evidence for an increase in cholesterol nor for a smaller decrease during diuretic therapy. In the actively treated group the fall in blood pressure in the more hypertensive patients was accompanied by a fall both in haematocrit and serum cholesterol. In patients with less severe hypertension, active treatment was not accompanied by a fall in either hematocrit or cholesterol. These different responses of serum cholesterol in the more and less severe hypertensives in the present study could explain some of the previous conflicting reports on the influence of diuretic treatment on serum cholesterol.

Aged↗

Salt and blood pressure in Belgium.

Blood pressure, pulse rate, body weight, and height were measured on two occasions in the inhabitants of a random 10% sample of households in a Belgian village. Twenty-four-hour urinary excretion of creatinine, sodium, and potassium was also determined. In subjects over the age of 19 there was a significant correlation for both systolic and diastolic pressure with age and body weight and, in women, also with pulse rate. After adjusting for these three variables, the systolic blood pressure in men was negatively correlated with the daily urinary potassium excretion, and the diastolic blood pressure in women negatively with the urinary sodium: creatinine ratio. The present data, obtained within one society, do not support a role for dietary sodium in the distribution of blood pressure within this population. Comparison of the present results with data from other countries does not refute the salt-genetic hypothesis but suggests also that a high potassium intake may lower blood pressure.

Adult↗

Glucose intolerance during diuretic therapy. Results of trial by the European Working Party on Hypertension in the Elderly.

119 elderly, hypertensive patients were followed-up for 1 year and 48 for 2 years in a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial in which they received either placebo or 25-50 mg hydrochlorothiazide and 50-100 mg of triamterene daily. Half of the active treatment group also received 250 mg to 2 g methyldopa daily. After 2 years the active treatment group had an average increase in fasting blood-sugar of 9.6 mg/dl compared with an average fall of 3.1 mg in the placebo group (p less than 0.001). Blood-glucose rose by an average of 26.6 mg/dl in the active group when determined 1 hour after 50 g oral glucose and decreased by an average of 5.3 mg/dl in patients who had been on placebo for two years (p less than 0.05). The hyperglycaemic effect of diuretics appeared to be related to potassium loss since, in both groups, impairment of glucose tolerance was most marked in those in whom the serum-potassium decreased over the 2 years.

Aged↗

Antihypertensive therapy in patients above age 60. Third interim report of the European Working Party on High blood pressure in Elderly (EWPHE).

Three hundred forty nine hypertensive patients above the age of 60 have entered the double-blind multicentre trial of the European Working Party on High blood pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE). After stratification and randomisation half were treated with one or two capsules containing 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide and 50 mg triamterene and if blood pressure control was insufficient methyldopa was added up to 2 g daily; the other half received matching placebo. No significant differences between the groups were present prior to randomisation. A significant blood pressure difference of 25/10 mm Hg was obtained between the groups and maintained during two years of follow-up. No major disturbances in serum potassium or serum sodium were noted with the present drug combination. However, during the initial phase an increase in serum creatinine and serum uric acid was noted in the actively treated group, which was maintained for two years. Also glucose tolerance was impaired after 2 years in the actively treated group. A favourable influence on prognosis by active treatment can be expected on the basis of the blood pressure reduction and in the absence of major electrolytes disturbances. But this benefit must be proven by observed statistical differences in terminating events between the groups. Therefore the patients are being followed for a longer period of time and more patients are admitted into the trial.

Aged↗

Aging and the cardiovascular system.

With advancing age blood pressure rises in most populations with the exception of some isolated tribes. In western countries 30 to 40% of the people above the age of 60 years have casual blood pressure levels greater than or equal to 160/95 mm Hg. Advancing age per se produces a number of physiological changes related to blood pressure, such as a decrease in cardiac output, an increase in peripheral vascular resistance and a decrease in plasma renin-angiotensin-aldosterone levels. The mechanism causing the elevation in pressure with age are unknown though increased rigidity of the great vessels contributes to the rise in systolic pressure. There is a decline in the sensitivity of the baroreceptor reflex, but the contribution of this to the elevation of pressure has not be elucidated. Elderly patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension have a low cardiac output and high peripheral vascular resistance. The rise in blood pressure is associated with an increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality even in the elderly hypertensives. The available data on the efficacy of hypotensive treatment in the elderly is scanty. There are no data proving that hypotensive therapy prolongs life. Controlled studies on the prevention of organ damage especially cerebrovascular accidents are inconclusive, showing either a significant decrease or no effect. Isolated reports illustrate, however, that drastic blood pressure reduction can provoke serious side effects, thus decreasing the quality of life. Hypotensive treatment is indicated in elderly hypertensive patients with hypertensive retinopathy grade III or IV, congestive heart failure or cerebral haemorrhage, in elderly patients with a markedly elevated diastolic blood pressure (greater than or equal to 120 mm Hg) and a trial of hypotensive therapy should be offered in milder forms of hypertension when it is accompanied by certain specific symptoms such as angina, headache and dyspnoe. The management of elderly hypertensive patients is more difficult than in the young. General measures are often not well accepted. The dose adjustment of the hypotensive agent is more critical and volume depletion or orthostatic hypotension are more likely to occur.

Aged↗

Antihypertensive therapy in elderly patients. Pilot trial of the European Working Party on High Blood Pressure in the Elderly.

A study protocol for a double-blind randomised control trial of hypotensive treatment in elderly hypertensive patients has been tested in a number of pilot centres throughout Europe. It was shown that this study is possible from the logistic point of view. In these elderly patients, hydrochlorothiazide + triamterene treatment with or without methyldopa, maintained a significant hypotensive effect in the absence of major electrolyte disturbances. The initiation of hypotensive therapy did not provoke an excess of cardiovascular complications. The influence of hypotensive therapy on the general well-being and on the morbidity and the mortality of elderly patients with high blood pressure, is thereby being assessed. The study will continue for 5 years and other centres are invited to join.

Aged↗

Corneal oedema and endothelial cell loss after iris-clip lens implantation.

Lens implantation as a form of replacement surgery has some clear advantages over other forms of aphakic correction. The most feared complication of this type of operation is bullous keratopathy. A short-term study was carried out in two comparable groups of patients to assess corneal oedema and endothelial cell loss after simple cataract extraction and after iris-clip lens implantation following intracapsular extraction as a primary procedure. All patients were randomly chosen to have one or other procedure. The results indicate that lens implantation causes greater postoperative corneal oedema and greater endothelial cell loss. It is therefore important for implant surgeons to bear in mind the possible harm they may be inflicting and the need both for stringent criteria of selection and for the adoption of techniques which will minimize endothelial trauma.

Cell Count↗