BEtter Control of Blood Pressure in Hypertensive pAtients Monitored Using the HOTMAN® sYstem

Early BP control in hypertensives guarantees the best prevention of cardiovascular events on the long term (2007 ESH-ESC Guidelines on the Management of Hypertension; VALUE study). However, in spite of education efforts and antihypertensive drugs, blood pressure control rates remain low. The most common cause of uncontrolled BP is inadequate pharmacological treatment, because the selection of antihypertensive agents is often done independently of the hemodynamic status of the patient (volemia, peripheral resistance, cardiac inotropy, heart rate). Several studies confirmed the value of using impedance cardiography (ICG)-derived hemodynamic data as an adjunct to therapeutic decision-making in the treatment of hypertension. Working hypothesis: when it is possible to assess the hemodynamic status, and select accordingly the most appropriate pharmacological class of antihypertensive treatment, BP reduction occurs to a greater extent and more rapidly. In the present study an integrated therapeutic approach (IHM-Integrated Hemodynamic Management)was applied, aiming at detecting permanent vasoconstriction and/or hypervolemia and/or hyperinotropy through the HOTMAN System, in order to select the most appropriate antihypertensive drugs.