Long-term effects of 3-month telemetric blood pressure intervention in patients with inadequately treated arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We have shown that better blood pressure (BP) control can be achieved by using 3-month telemetric BP measurement (TBPM) in comparison with a standard-care control group (C-G). The present analysis should clarify if this will also lead to a better middle- and long-term BP control.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Fifty-seven patients finished the main study. After the 3 months no TBPM was performed. For 40 patients, 18 from the TBPM group (TBPM-G) and 22 from the C-G, we obtained ambulant BP measurements (ABPMs) with a mean follow-up of 20 months. Seventeen patients were lost to follow-up. BP target values were defined as ABPM ≤130/80 or ≤125/75 mm Hg with diabetes or renal failure.

RESULTS

At the end of the follow-up, the systolic BP was 121.2±11.2 mm Hg in TBPM-G and 130.7±10.4 mm Hg in C-G, and the diastolic BP was 72.8±10.9 versus 77.0±7.1 mm Hg, respectively. Fifty-six percent in TBPM-G versus 40% in C-G (p=0.024) had a controlled BP as defined by ABPM criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

TBPM helps achieve BP target values in patients with previously inadequately treated arterial hypertension, and the benefit is sustained. Beyond its immediate application, in comparison with standard treatment, TBPM allows for a better BP adjustment in the long term as well.