Asian Pacific hypertension congress

The Philippine Society of Hypertension and Philippine Lipid and Atherosclerosis Society, together with several other medical organizations and the Department of Health, are hosting the Asian Pacific Society of Hypertension congress in Cebu City on Feb. 12-15. This is definitely going to be a big international event, which all doctors, researchers and government personnel involved in the diagnosis, treatment and control of high blood pressure should attend.

According to Dr. Abdias Aquino, a highly respected neurologist and the congress secretary-general, around 1,200 local and foreign delegates are expected to participate in the congress, which will have many renowned international authorities in the field of hypertension attending to share their expertise.

More than 300 original papers on various aspects of high blood pressure were submitted by researchers from all over the world, but our local scientific committee headed by Doctors Lynn Gomez and Bernadette Tumanan had to cut them down to around 170, which will be presented in the various sessions either as powerpoint slide or poster presentation.

Top 6

Two researches done by two young Filipino heart specialists—Doctors Crizelle Arias and Ethel Mabbagu—qualified for the Young Investigator’s Award contest. The paper of Dr. Arias made it to the top 6 and she will vie for the award during the congress.

The province of Cebu has also been very supportive of the congress. Gov. Hilario Davide III and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will attend the opening ceremonies and reception to personally welcome the delegates.

Those who are interested to participate in the congress can log on to www.apch2014.org or e-mail the convention organizers at [email protected]. They may also call +63917-625 5810.

The congress is quite timely because it comes on the heels of the recent release of the much-awaited 8th Joint National Committee (JNC 8) guidelines on the management of hypertension in adults.

JNC 8 revised the targeted blood pressure (BP) goals of hypertensive patients and recommended pharmacologic doses of four specific medication classes.

According to JNC 8, hypertensive adults aged 60 years or older are recommended to have a BP goal of less than 150/90 mm Hg, which is somewhat higher than the previously set BP goal of less than 140/90 mm Hg. The JNC 8 expert panel justified this minor revision of the BP goal in senior adults by explaining that the systolic BP goal for those aged 60 years and older shows insufficient scientific evidence.

The panel found moderate evidence to support an initial drug treatment of antihypertensive drugs belonging to the following groups: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), angiotension receptor blocker (ARB), calcium channel blocker and thiazide-type diuretic including those with diabetes.

Among patients with chronic kidney disease, the JNC 8 panel found moderate evidence supporting initial or add-on treatment to antihypertensive therapy with an ACEi and ARB.

Systematic review

“The JNC 8 used rigorous evidence-based methods, developing evidence statements and recommendations for blood pressure treatment based on a systematic review of the literature to meet user needs, especially the needs of the primary-care clinician,” the expert panel wrote in the guidelines.

It is to be noted that although JNC 8 was reviewed by experts from professional and public organizations as well as federal agencies, it was not sponsored nor endorsed by any organization.

I’m sure there will be lots of heated discussion on the JNC 8 guidelines during the hypertension congress next month. Dr. Venkata Ram, an officer in the American Society of Hypertension and a sought-after international speaker on hypertension, e-mailed me and expressed concern about the possible confusion among doctors that may result from the JNC 8 publication. We’re glad that he’ll personally come next month to join us for the congress. I’m sure he’ll be able to clear up the confusion and provide clarity, guidance and direction to those who will attend the congress.