M.Sc. (Med.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009

Based on previous studies, the increasing prevalence of hypertension may be associated with factors such as obesity, dietary salt and fat intake. This study examined the common biochemical and anthropometric markers that are associated with blood pressure elevation, increasing metabolic and haemodynamic derangement in subjects in Hong Kong, and related those phenotypic markers to some genetic polymorphisms relevant to hypertension. / Five hundred and thirty nine Hong Kong Chinese subjects were examined. They were aged from 20 to 60 years, and were hypertensive or normotensive siblings from families with a hypertensive proband, and normotensive controls without a family history of hypertension. The interrelationships between pathophysiological changes and various neurohormones considered relevant to the development of hypertension were investigated. Fasting blood and 24 hour urine samples were collected. Plasma insulin, plasma leptin, plasma renin activity (PRA), serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity, aldosterone, 24 hour urine noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine and kallikrein were measured. A robust assay for the measurement of urine free cortisol and cortisone and 6beta-hydroxycortisol by an LC-MS/MS method was developed and validated. The ratio between urine free cortisol and cortisone was used as an estimate of the activity of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (11betaHSD2) for cortisol metabolism. These parameters were related to polymorphisms in three genes, the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene M23 5T, the dopamine D1 receptor (DD1R) gene A-48G and the dopamine D2 receptor (DD2R) gene Taq1 A polymorphisms. Analysis of variance was employed for the parameters in the three groups of subjects and for an age-matched sibling pair analysis (using 1 normotensive and 1 hypertensive sibling from each family). Comparisons between parameters were also made after dividing the whole population into 3 groups according to the tertiles of blood pressure. (1) Central (higher waist to hip ratio and waist circumferences) and general (greater body mass index and weight) obesity were found in both hypertensive patients and the normotensive siblings compared to the control subjects. These obesity indices showed strong positive relationships with increased insulin resistance and blood pressure. The obesity indices were also independently associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with central obesity showing the stronger associations. (2) Hypertensives had more adverse lipid profiles, insulin resistance and higher fasting plasma glucose levels. This suggested that the blood pressure elevation in the hypertensives may be mediated through obesity and insulin resistance. (3) Both the hypertensive and normotensive members of sibling pairs had lower noradrenaline and cortisol excretion and higher activity of 11betaHSD2 compared to the normotensive controls. The result showed positive relationships between noradrenaline and increased obesity, insulin resistance and blood pressure, while the relationship between adrenaline and blood pressure was inversed. (4) Lower plasma ACE activity and aldosterone were found in the hypertensives and their siblings than in the normotensive controls. There was a reduction in PRA across the blood pressure tertiles as blood pressure increased. In addition to the higher 11betaHSD2 activity, a negative relationship between aldosterone and blood pressure in hypertensive siblings was observed. These findings may indicate the protective mechanism of these systems in this population. In subjects with the different polymorphisms of AGT M235T, there were no differences in the PRA, serum ACE activity or aldosterone, but lower urine cortisol and kallikrien were found in relation to increasing numbers of the T allele. There was a weak association between the AGT M235T polymorphism and hypertension. (5) Despite the strong correlation of dopamine excretion between hypertensive and normotensive siblings within families, lower dopamine levels were found in the normotensive siblings. A consistent positive relationship was found between urine dopamine and sodium excretion, which supports the concept of the natriuretic effect of dopamine. There was no phenotypic difference found in any of the biochemical parameters in relation to the DDIR A-48G and DD2R Taq1 A polymorphisms, but there were weak associations with blood pressure and these polymorphisms in the sibling study. / The normotensive siblings had metabolic abnormalities similar to but less severe than the hypertensive probands, which suggests that the genetic effects and interacting effect of shared lifestyle and environmental factors with their hypertensive family member may be influential on the healthy siblings. Adaptive changes were seen in some of the blood pressure regulating systems in both the hypertensive probands and the normotensive siblings. The major factors predisposing to the hypertension in these subjects appeared to be obesity and insulin resistance and the adaptive changes were insufficient to compensate for these in the hypertensive subjects. / Chu Ten Wah Tanya. / "March 2006." / Adviser: Brian Tom Linson. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1547. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 304-341). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

INTRODUÇÃO: Existem várias doenças que evoluem com hipertensão pulmonar (HP), entre elas a Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar Idiopática (HAPI) e a Esquistossomose. Acredita-se que um dos principais fatores desencadeantes da HP esteja relacionado com a disfunção endotelial. OBJETIVOS: 1. Avaliar a disfunção endotelial de pacientes com HAPI e esquistossomóticos com e sem HAP usando os marcadores plasmáticos Endotelina-1, Selectina E, VEGF, PDGFAB e PDGF-BB; 2.Avaliar se pacientes com HAP associada à esquistossomose possuem o mesmo grau de disfunção endotelial que pacientes com esquistossomose sem HAP. METODOLOGIA: Foram formados 4 grupos distintos: Controle (n=13), HAPI (n=11), pacientes com esquistossomose e HP (ESQ+HP) (n=13) e pacientes com esquistossomose sem HP (ESQ)(n=13). Os pacientes foram submetidos a avaliação clínica (caracterizados quanto a gravidade), funcional (realizaram ecocardiograma com medida de pressão sistólica de ventrículo direito, ultrassonografia abdominal quando indicada e exames para excluir outras doenças) e laboratorial (entre eles, contagem de leucócitos, plaquetas e dosagem de BNP). A avaliação hemodinâmica foi realizada nos pacientes com HP. Para a análise da disfunção endotelial, foram coletados 40 mL de sangue de todos os indivíduos para a dosagem de Endotelina-1, Selectina E, VEGF, PDGF-AB e PDGF-BB. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que os grupos não se diferiram quanto a idade, houve um predomínio do sexo feminino e os grupos controle e ESQ apresentaram valores de PSVD menores do que os grupos com HP (controles: 23,4±4,6, ESQ: 29,5±8,5, HAPI: 79,8±26,4 e ESQ+HP: 75,2±15,3 mmHg). As medidas hemodinâmicas foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos com HAP. Quanto aos marcadores da função endotelial, o grupo controle apresentou valores séricos de PDGF-BB mais aumentados (8,9±4,8x 103 pg/mL, p<0,001) que os grupos HAPI, ESQ+HP, ESQ (3,7±2,1; 5,2±3 ; 2,4±1,7 x 103 pg/mL, respectivamente). O grupo HAPI apresentou valores mais elevados de Selectina E (61,5±24,2 x 103 pg/mL) que os grupos controle, ESQ+HP e ESQ (14,5±12,2; 23,9±15,3; 21,4±18 x 103 pg/mL, respectivamente, p=0,005). Os valores séricos de PDGF-AB do grupo controle foram mais elevados que no grupo ESQ (p=0,006). Não foram encontradas diferenças significantes nos valores séricos de Endotelina-1 entre os grupos (p=0,281). Em relação ao VEGF, os pacientes com HAPI apresentaram valores séricos similares ao grupo ESQ+HP e mais elevados que o grupo controle e ESQ (p=0,002). O ponto de corte da dosagem da selectina E (43.806 pg/mL) para diferenciar pacientes com HAPI dos pacientes com ESQ+HP apresentou uma sensibilidade de 91% e a especificidade de 89%. O PDGF-BB apresentou uma boa acurácia para distinguir o grupo controle dos demais, com uma sensibilidade de 77% e uma especificidade de 83%. Além disso, a Selectina E apresentou uma forte correlação com o níveis séricos de BNP (r=0,74, p=0,006). O número de leucócitos e de plaquetas foram diferentes entre os três grupos do estudo. Pacientes com HAPI tinham maior número de leucócitos e plaquetas quando comparados com esquistossomóticos. CONCLUSÕES: 1.Pacientes com HAPI apresentaram valores séricos mais elevados de Selectina E do que pacientes com esquistossomose e controles; 2.Pacientes portadores de esquistossomose com e sem HP apresentaram os mesmos valores séricos dos marcadores de disfunção endotelial / INTRODUCTION: There are several diseases that cause Pulmonary hypertension (PH), such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Schistosomiasis. The mechanisms that lead to PH are thought to be related to endothelial dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate endothelial dysfunction, using plasma markers such as Endothelin-1(ET-1), E-Selectin, VEGF, PDGF-AB and -BB, in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and schistosomiasis patients with or without PH; and to evaluate if schistosomiasis groups have endothelial dysfunction in the same degree. METHODOLOGY: Patients were divided in 4 different groups: Patients with IPAH (n=11), Patients with PH associated to Schistosomiasis (SchPH)(n=13), Patients with Schistosomiasis without PH (Sch)(n=13) and Controls(n=13). PAH patients were classified according to severity. All groups were submitted to echocardiography and right ventricule systolic pressure(RVSP) was measured. Abdominal ultrassonography was used to rule in or rule out schistosomiasis diagnosis. PH patients went through haemodynamics evaluation and all patients had laboratorial assessment (leucocytes and platelet count and BNP levels) Soluble adhesion molecules such as E-Selectin, VEGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB e ET-1 were determined by ELISA. Leucocytes and platelet counts as well as BNP levels were also evaluated. Results: Subjects did not differ according to age and there was a higher proportion of female patients. Controls and Sch subjects had lower RVSP compared to PH groups (Sch: 23.4±4.6, controls: 29.5±8.5, IPAH: 79.8±26.4 and Sch+HP: 75.2±15.3 mmHg). Haemodynamics data did not differ in PH patients. In IPAH group, E-selectin was elevated (61.5±24,2x103pg/mL) compared to controls, Sch+HP and Sch (14.5±12.2; 23.9±15.3; 21.4±18 x103pg/mL, respectively, p=0,005). PDGF-BB was decreased in IPAH, Sch+HP, Sch (3.7±2.1; 5.2±3; 2.4±1.7x103pg/mL, respectively) compared to controls (8.9±4.8x 103 pg/mL, p<0.001). PDGF-AB was elevated in controls (25.6±8.6x103pg/mL) when compared to Sch (11.4±8.6 x103pg/mL)(p=0.006). There were no differences in ET-1 levels within groups. In relation to VEGF, IPAH group had higher levels compared to controls and Sch (96,6±68,2, 38,4±28, 37,±19,2 pg/mL, respectively) (p=0,002). Based on ROC curve, E-selectin cutoff value of 43.806 pg/mL showed a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 89% to distinguish IPAH patients from other groups and PDGF-BB had a good accuracy to differentiate controls with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 83%. Furthermore, E-selectin had a strong correlation with BNP levels (r=0,74, p=0,006). The number of leucocytes and platelets were different within groups. IPAH patients had the highest, and Sch group had the lowest blood cells and platelets count. Conclusions: 1. IPAH patients had higher levels of serum E-selectin and VEGF and controls had higher levels of PDGF-BB and AB; 2. Schistosomiasis patients with or without PH had the same levels of endothelial dysfunction serum markers

INTRODUÇÃO: Existem várias doenças que evoluem com hipertensão pulmonar (HP), entre elas a Hipertensão Arterial Pulmonar Idiopática (HAPI) e a Esquistossomose. Acredita-se que um dos principais fatores desencadeantes da HP esteja relacionado com a disfunção endotelial. OBJETIVOS: 1. Avaliar a disfunção endotelial de pacientes com HAPI e esquistossomóticos com e sem HAP usando os marcadores plasmáticos Endotelina-1, Selectina E, VEGF, PDGFAB e PDGF-BB; 2.Avaliar se pacientes com HAP associada à esquistossomose possuem o mesmo grau de disfunção endotelial que pacientes com esquistossomose sem HAP. METODOLOGIA: Foram formados 4 grupos distintos: Controle (n=13), HAPI (n=11), pacientes com esquistossomose e HP (ESQ+HP) (n=13) e pacientes com esquistossomose sem HP (ESQ)(n=13). Os pacientes foram submetidos a avaliação clínica (caracterizados quanto a gravidade), funcional (realizaram ecocardiograma com medida de pressão sistólica de ventrículo direito, ultrassonografia abdominal quando indicada e exames para excluir outras doenças) e laboratorial (entre eles, contagem de leucócitos, plaquetas e dosagem de BNP). A avaliação hemodinâmica foi realizada nos pacientes com HP. Para a análise da disfunção endotelial, foram coletados 40 mL de sangue de todos os indivíduos para a dosagem de Endotelina-1, Selectina E, VEGF, PDGF-AB e PDGF-BB. RESULTADOS: Observou-se que os grupos não se diferiram quanto a idade, houve um predomínio do sexo feminino e os grupos controle e ESQ apresentaram valores de PSVD menores do que os grupos com HP (controles: 23,4±4,6, ESQ: 29,5±8,5, HAPI: 79,8±26,4 e ESQ+HP: 75,2±15,3 mmHg). As medidas hemodinâmicas foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos com HAP. Quanto aos marcadores da função endotelial, o grupo controle apresentou valores séricos de PDGF-BB mais aumentados (8,9±4,8x 103 pg/mL, p<0,001) que os grupos HAPI, ESQ+HP, ESQ (3,7±2,1; 5,2±3 ; 2,4±1,7 x 103 pg/mL, respectivamente). O grupo HAPI apresentou valores mais elevados de Selectina E (61,5±24,2 x 103 pg/mL) que os grupos controle, ESQ+HP e ESQ (14,5±12,2; 23,9±15,3; 21,4±18 x 103 pg/mL, respectivamente, p=0,005). Os valores séricos de PDGF-AB do grupo controle foram mais elevados que no grupo ESQ (p=0,006). Não foram encontradas diferenças significantes nos valores séricos de Endotelina-1 entre os grupos (p=0,281). Em relação ao VEGF, os pacientes com HAPI apresentaram valores séricos similares ao grupo ESQ+HP e mais elevados que o grupo controle e ESQ (p=0,002). O ponto de corte da dosagem da selectina E (43.806 pg/mL) para diferenciar pacientes com HAPI dos pacientes com ESQ+HP apresentou uma sensibilidade de 91% e a especificidade de 89%. O PDGF-BB apresentou uma boa acurácia para distinguir o grupo controle dos demais, com uma sensibilidade de 77% e uma especificidade de 83%. Além disso, a Selectina E apresentou uma forte correlação com o níveis séricos de BNP (r=0,74, p=0,006). O número de leucócitos e de plaquetas foram diferentes entre os três grupos do estudo. Pacientes com HAPI tinham maior número de leucócitos e plaquetas quando comparados com esquistossomóticos. CONCLUSÕES: 1.Pacientes com HAPI apresentaram valores séricos mais elevados de Selectina E do que pacientes com esquistossomose e controles; 2.Pacientes portadores de esquistossomose com e sem HP apresentaram os mesmos valores séricos dos marcadores de disfunção endotelial / INTRODUCTION: There are several diseases that cause Pulmonary hypertension (PH), such as Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Schistosomiasis. The mechanisms that lead to PH are thought to be related to endothelial dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate endothelial dysfunction, using plasma markers such as Endothelin-1(ET-1), E-Selectin, VEGF, PDGF-AB and -BB, in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and schistosomiasis patients with or without PH; and to evaluate if schistosomiasis groups have endothelial dysfunction in the same degree. METHODOLOGY: Patients were divided in 4 different groups: Patients with IPAH (n=11), Patients with PH associated to Schistosomiasis (SchPH)(n=13), Patients with Schistosomiasis without PH (Sch)(n=13) and Controls(n=13). PAH patients were classified according to severity. All groups were submitted to echocardiography and right ventricule systolic pressure(RVSP) was measured. Abdominal ultrassonography was used to rule in or rule out schistosomiasis diagnosis. PH patients went through haemodynamics evaluation and all patients had laboratorial assessment (leucocytes and platelet count and BNP levels) Soluble adhesion molecules such as E-Selectin, VEGF, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB e ET-1 were determined by ELISA. Leucocytes and platelet counts as well as BNP levels were also evaluated. Results: Subjects did not differ according to age and there was a higher proportion of female patients. Controls and Sch subjects had lower RVSP compared to PH groups (Sch: 23.4±4.6, controls: 29.5±8.5, IPAH: 79.8±26.4 and Sch+HP: 75.2±15.3 mmHg). Haemodynamics data did not differ in PH patients. In IPAH group, E-selectin was elevated (61.5±24,2x103pg/mL) compared to controls, Sch+HP and Sch (14.5±12.2; 23.9±15.3; 21.4±18 x103pg/mL, respectively, p=0,005). PDGF-BB was decreased in IPAH, Sch+HP, Sch (3.7±2.1; 5.2±3; 2.4±1.7x103pg/mL, respectively) compared to controls (8.9±4.8x 103 pg/mL, p<0.001). PDGF-AB was elevated in controls (25.6±8.6x103pg/mL) when compared to Sch (11.4±8.6 x103pg/mL)(p=0.006). There were no differences in ET-1 levels within groups. In relation to VEGF, IPAH group had higher levels compared to controls and Sch (96,6±68,2, 38,4±28, 37,±19,2 pg/mL, respectively) (p=0,002). Based on ROC curve, E-selectin cutoff value of 43.806 pg/mL showed a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 89% to distinguish IPAH patients from other groups and PDGF-BB had a good accuracy to differentiate controls with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 83%. Furthermore, E-selectin had a strong correlation with BNP levels (r=0,74, p=0,006). The number of leucocytes and platelets were different within groups. IPAH patients had the highest, and Sch group had the lowest blood cells and platelets count. Conclusions: 1. IPAH patients had higher levels of serum E-selectin and VEGF and controls had higher levels of PDGF-BB and AB; 2. Schistosomiasis patients with or without PH had the same levels of endothelial dysfunction serum markers

The aim of this study was to determine management regimens and level of knowledge of diabetes and its‟ ocular complications among private patients in a sample of the population of the Western Cape region of South Africa. A population-based cross-sectional study design, using purposive accidental random sampling, was used. Questionnaires completed by diabetic patients who fund their condition privately outside of the South African Public Health sector were used. One hundred and twenty-two subjects participated in the research, 66 (54%) males and 56 (46%) females. There were 73 rural and 49 urban participants. The overall sample mean BMI was 30.7, average fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 8.1 mmol/l and the majority of respondents did not perform a daily FPG test or know the significance of the HbA1c test. The majority of participants were unaware of the serious ocular consequences of prolonged hyperglycaemia. Sixty-seven percent of respondents considered that they knew enough about diabetes to manage their own condition. From the data it is apparent that private patients‟ knowledge of the systemic and ocular complications of diabetes is sub-optimal. Whilst the majority considered annual eye examinations as important, less than one-third of respondents actually undertook them. Optometrists should be offered programmes to enhance their skills and co-manage and educate diabetic patients with other health care practitioners on a formal basis. Health insurance institutions should take cognisance of the value of patient education and preventative diabetic management and incentivize patients and health care providers in this regard. / Thesis (M.Optom.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T13:10:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabio Abdalla Segamarchi.pdf: 3171158 bytes, checksum: f3dad4f497d2817d7ce796f09e8b7888 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-19 / Hypertension is a disease of high prevalence, oligosymptomatic, with low rates of blood pressure control and with serious consequences if not treated properly. The involvement of target organs can lead to serious restrictions in the quality of life on affected individuals, high financial costs to society and the public health system on Brazil (Sistema Único de Saúde). Echocardiography has an important role in risk stratification and clinical management of these patients. Moreover, the exam allows to visualize the structure and the functional characteristics of the heart, which can be an additional tool for teaching students and health professionals in training. The use of educational software in the medical field provides an interactive and autonomy learning. Objective: To use the images of echocardiography to develop software that will apply as a tool for the education of student health, allowing comprehend of normal cardiac structure and function and the heart compromised by hypertension. The secondary objective was to evaluate the software using qualitative and quantitative tools, including opinions and suggestions of students of medicine and nursing. Hypothesis: The use of the software can make teaching more attractive, agile and appropriate to communication technologies and contemporary education and allow the user to understand the real consequences of hypertension on the heart. Methodology: The software was developed from the author's own database of images using the author multimedia Flash® which allows the creation of animations and simulations in vector language, resulting in compact files that can be made available through the Web or on optical and magnetic media. The evaluation of the final product was made by students of medicine and nursing. Results: The software was well evaluated by students of medicine (n = 38) and nurses (n = 18) of the Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde da PUC/SP, whose pre and post-tests of the material showed consistent growth of knowledge, either through self-assessment or objective open questions. Conclusion: The software using the echocardiography was effective in making easier the understanding of the impact caused by hypertension in the heart, in view of the complexity of educational content. The software can be useful to students, teachers and professionals in the health field / A hipertensão arterial é uma doença de alta prevalência, oligossintomática, com baixo nível de controle pressórico e com consequências graves quando não tratada de maneira adequada. O acometimento de órgãos-alvo pode levar a sérias restrições na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos acometidos, altos custos financeiros para a sociedade e o Sistema Único de Saúde. A avaliação das repercussões cardíacas pela ecocardiografia tem importante papel na estratificação de risco e condução clínica desses pacientes. Além disso, o exame permite visualizar a estrutura e as características funcionais do coração, podendo ser um instrumento adicional para o ensino do comprometimento cardíaco a estudantes e profissionais da área da saúde em formação. O uso de softwares educacionais na área médica proporciona um aprendizado interativo e com autonomia, cujo principal benefício é o respeito ao ritmo de aprendizado de cada usuário. Objetivo: utilizar as imagens do exame ecocardiográfico para desenvolver um software que servirá como ferramenta na educação e capacitação dos estudantes da área da saúde, permitindo a compreensão da estrutura e função cardíacas normais e comprometidas pela hipertensão arterial. O objetivo secundário foi avaliar o software utilizando instrumentos qualitativos e quantitativos, incluindo opiniões e sugestões de estudantes de medicina e enfermagem. Hipótese: a utilização do software pode tornar o ensino mais atraente, ágil e adequado às tecnologias de comunicação e educação contemporâneas e permitirá ao usuário compreender as reais consequências da hipertensão arterial sobre o coração. Metodologia: O software foi desenvolvido a partir de um banco de imagens do próprio autor utilizando o autor de multimídia Flash®, que permite a elaboração de animações e simulações em linguagem vetorial, resultando em arquivos compactos que podem ser disponibilizados através da Web ou em mídias ópticas e magnéticas. A avaliação do produto final foi feita por estudantes de medicina e enfermagem. Resultados: O software foi concluído e bem avaliado pelos estudantes do curso de medicina (n=38) e enfermagem (n=18) da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde da PUC/SP, cujos testes realizados pré-utilização e pós-utilização do material, mostrou consistente crescimento do conhecimento, seja por auto-avaliação ou por questões objetivas abertas. Conclusão: O software utilizando a ecocardiografia mostrou-se eficiente em facilitar o entendimento das repercussões causadas pela hipertensão arterial no coração, tendo em vista a complexidade deste conteúdo didático. O software poderá ser útil a estudantes, profissionais e docentes da área da saúde

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-06-24. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-08-11T03:25:29Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-00359.pdf: 689720 bytes, checksum: 26ae37941ffb4540a3a6a403db599064 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Objetivo: Avaliar efetividade e segurança dos bloqueadores de canal de cálcio comparando-os com inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina, placebo ou outros fármacos de uso oral ou sublingual em pacientes com urgência hipertensiva. Métodos: Revisão sistemática da literatura utilizando a metodologia da Colaboração Cochrane. Estratégia de Busca: As bases pesquisadas foram: MEDLINE (1966-2007), EMBASE (1980-2007), CENTRAL - Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2007), LILACS (1982-2007), em sites de registros de ensaios clínicos; busca manual em anais de congressos e listas de referências de artigos publicados; contato com companhias farmacêuticas e autores de artigos publicados. Não houve restrição de linguagem. Critérios de Seleção: ensaios clínicos randomizados sobre utilização de fármacos orais ou sublinguais para tratamento de urgências hipertensivas em adultos de ambos os sexos. Os critérios de exclusão foram: ensaios clíncos não randomizados, pré-eclampsia/eclâmpsia, epistaxe não tratável, overdose por fármacos simpatomiméticos, feocromocitoma e emergências hipertensivas. Coleta de dados e análise: a extração de dados e avaliação de qualidade foi feita de acordo com critérios previamente determinados e os resultados foram comparados para determinação do grau de concordância. Avaliação de qualidade foi feita usando os critérios do “Cochrane Handbook” e escores de Jadad. Medidas de desfecho contínuas foram analisadas usando diferenças de médias ponderadas (DMP). Medidas de desfecho dicotômicas foram somadas usando modelo de efeito randômico e os resultados foram expressos como riscos relativos (RR). Resultados: Coletivamente, os 16 ensaios clínicos randomizados identificados incluíram 769 participantes e demonstraram um efeito superior dos inibidores da ECA no tratamento da urgência hipertensiva, avaliada em 223 participantes. Quanto aos efeitos adversos os mais freqüentes para os bloqueadores de canal de cálcio foram cefaléia (35/206), rubor (17/172) e alterações do ritmo cardíaco (14/189); para os inibidores da enzima conversora de angiotensina o efeito colateral mais freqüente foi disgeusia (25/38). Conclusões: Há evidências significantes a favor do uso de inibidores da ECA para o tratamento de urgências hipertensivas, quando comparados os efeitos adversos como cefaléia e rubor. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações