[Blood pressure reduction to target level decreases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, in the vast majority of cases, this can be achieved only with a (multiple) combination regimen. The primary objective of the PAINT (Perindopril- Amlodipine plus Indapamide Combination for Controlled Hypertension Non-intervention Trial) study was to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy with perindopril, amlodipine, and indapamide in patients who had not reached target blood pressure with their pre-existing therapy. Secondary objectives included the monitoring of metabolic parameters and the number of antihypertensive tablets taken by the subjects. In this subgroup-analysis we involved 126 patients (74 females and 52 males, mean age 59.8±12.5 years) who had a valid 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring both at baseline and at the end of the 4-months follow-up. At the beginning of the study none of the subjects reached blood pressure target despite taking on average 2.4±1.4 antihypertensive drugs. During the study, the subjects received the combination of amlodipine, perindopril, and indapamide instead of their pre-existing antihypertensive regimen. 24-hour mean systolic blood pressure decreased from 139.2±13.4 mmHg to 126.5±12.9 mmHg (p<0.01), as well as mean diastolic blood pressure from 77.3±11.3 mmHg to 71.1±8.7 mmHg (p<0.01). Heart rate remained unchanged. Blood pressure reduction was statistically significant both during the day and the night. We found significant blood pressure reduction in all hours (10.1-15.4/5.1-7.8 mmHg; p<0.001). Hyperbaric impact decreased from 366.9±251.1 mmHg × hour to 166.2±185.4 mmHg × hour (p<0.01) for systolic blood pressure, and from 112±130.6 mmHg × hour to 41.6±65.6 mmHg × hour (p<0.01) for diastolic blood pressure. We also could observe favourable changes in metabolic parameters, not only in lipids, but also in blood sugar level. The mean number of tablets taken by the subjects increased from 2.4 to 2.9, but this led to a significantly improved control of blood pressure. Triple combinations of state-of-the-art antihypertensive agents - such as of perindopril, amlodipine and indapamide - ensure effective blood pressure control in sufficiently compliant patients.]

[Hypertension guidelines published by various societies in the previous year follow two distinct trends regarding recommendations about treatment. The European Society of Hypertension and the European Society of Cardiology (ESH/ESC) gives the clinician free hand to select the antihypertensive drug, mentioning the optimal treatment regime for various associated clinical conditions. Guidelines published by the American Society of Hypertension and the International Society of Hypertension (ASH/ISH) or by the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC8) are far less permissive, recommend the first drug of choice from a narrower circle of antihypertensive agents and describe the initiation and escalation of therapy in algorithms. This article displays some of the corresponding and disparate recommendations of the three guidelines.]

[The authors evaluate the indexes and their usefulness of the short term (ABPM), medium and long term measurement of the blood pressure variability in the care phase of the hypertensive population in Hungary by using a one-year multicentre prospective observational study. The population was split into two parts: in the active group, telemedicine tools were used to maximize the patientphysician relationship and patient education, their own activity. In the non-active group, traditional care took place. Among these, 6725, 18-64 years and 1005, 65 + years of hypertensive patients were analysed. At the start of the study, ABPM was performed in 243 cases. 1407 diabetic hypertensive patients were compared to non-diabetic patients. They have analysed previous international and domestic experiences. In the present study, the reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability was successful and significant in the 18-64 age group during the whole patients’ care phase, but a larger systolic variability reduction in the active group was achieved. In the 65+s, the systolic variability reduction was found to be significant, but the variability indexes in the active group were also smaller. In the 65+s, the diastolic variability did not change significantly in either group. In diabetic hypertension, variability indices were only reduced to 12 months. It could be clearly demonstrated that a high-level physician patient relationship has a beneficial effect on blood pressure fluctuation in hypertensive patients.]

[Summary in the antihypertensive therapy, in addition to the RAS-blockers (ACE-inhibitors or ARBs), calcium antagonists and thizid-like diuretics, other antihypertensive drugs with different mechanisms of actions, such as the imidazoline I1 receptor agonists, are beneficially used. Several international and Hungarian studies showed the results of the effects of these agents. Authors emphasize the effects of the VERITAS study showing that in hypertensive patients the imidazoline I1 receptor agonist, rilmenidine significantly decreased the office blood pressure as well as the blood pressure measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). The white-coat reaction and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) were also decreased. In a separate study involving hypertensive subjects rilmenidine significantly increased baroreflex sensitivity. This effect may contribute - mainly during daytime - to the antihypertensive effect. Authors summarise the most important actions of rilmenidine, and the selected publications on the results of the Hungarian and international investigations.]

[In 60-70% of patients with hypertension, a significant decrease in blood pressure can only be achieved by a combination of antihypertensive drugs. International as well as national guidelines emphasise the numerous advantages and the importance of combination treatment. Fixed combinations are particularly advantageous, as their use improves patients’ compliance. This paper summarises the available information on the possible combinations of the nine major antihypertensive drug groups distributed in Hungary, and for details the results published on the recently approved and introduced fixed combination of telmisartan and amlodipine.]