[Vascular effects of perindopril arginine and indapamide fixed combination in patients with arterial hypertension]

The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of arterial stiffness and endothelial function parameters under the influence of perindopril arginine and indapamide fixed combination in arterial hypertension (AH) patients. 30 persons with 1-3 degree AH were included into the study. The treatment duration was 24 weeks. Central aortic blood pressure (BP), augmentation pressure and index (AIx), carotid-femoral and carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (PWV), brachial artery endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (EDVD), office and ambulatory BP as well as orthostatic BP falls were evaluated under the influence of selected therapy. 27 patients completed the study protocol. Results showed that aortic systolic BP was significantly reduced by 10.7 mmHg, augmentation pressure - by 3.6 mmHg and AIx - by 6.5%. Carotid-radial PWV decreased by 0.8 m/s. Carotid-femoral PWV did not change. We also revealed the EDVD increase by week 12. The EDVD growth was correlated with degree of aortic systolic BP reduction (r=-0.48, p=0.02). Office and ambulatory BP declined by 15.8/10.0 and 10.0/7.5 mmHg respectively. The target BP <140/90 mmHg was achieved in 20 (74.1%) persons. At the same time the orthostatic hypotension did not rise. Conclusion. We concluded that perindopril arginine/indapamide fixed combination improved vascular function in hypertensive patients by wave reflection reduction, peripheral arterial stiffness lowering and endothelial function improvement.

[New guidelines for hypertension in Russia--a priority of combined treatment]

This review provides an analysis of the results of Russian and foreign clinical trials that have shown a high antihypertensive efficacy and tolerability of combined medications containing fixed doses of perindopril and indapamide.

[The impact of antihypertensive therapy on cerebral hemodynamics in patients with metabolic syndrome]

The aim of this work was the scintigraphic study of brain perfusion and the elucidation of the relationship between daily variations of arterial pressure (AP) and the results of single photon emission computed tomography (SPCT) of the brain in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS). The secondary objective was to estimate effect of combined antihypertensive therapy on cerebral circulation. 24 patients with MS underwent SPCT with 99mTc HMPOA and 24 hr AP monitoring before and 6 mo after therapy with long-acting verapamil combined with slow-release indapamide or enalapril. It was shown that all the patients suffered disturbances of regional cerebral blood flow even in the absence of focal neurological symptoms. Perfusion was especially impaired in the temporal, occipital and superior frontal lobes. The degree of the night-time fall in AP was related to the level of perfusion in the right temporal region (r = -0.5; p = 0.04) which confirms the danger of extreme AD decrease in hypertonics during sleep. Combined antihypertensive therapy has positive influence on cerebral perfusion. Verapamil plus enalapril has more pronounced effect than verapamil plus indapamide on cerebral blood flow in many brain regions.

Thiazides diuretics in the treatment of nephrolithiasis: are we using them in an evidence-based fashion?

In the 1980s a change occurred in hydrochlorothiazide prescribing practices for hypertension from high-dose (50 mg/day) to low-dose (12.5-25 mg/day) therapy. However, randomized controlled trials (RCT) for prevention of calcium-containing kidney stones (CCKS) employed only high doses (≥ 50 mg/day). We hypothesized that these practices have resulted in underdosing of hydrochlorothiazide for prevention of CCKS. Patients with a filled prescription for thiazide diuretics that underwent a 24-h urine stone risk factor analysis were eligible. Those with evidence that thiazide was prescribed for CCKS were further analyzed. Of 107 patients, 102 were treated with hydrochlorothiazide, 4 with indapamide, and one with chlorthalidone. Only 35% of hydrochlorothiazide-treated patients received 50 mg/day; a dose previously shown to reduce stone recurrence. Fifty-two percent were prescribed 25 mg and 13% 12.5 mg daily, doses that were not studied in RCT. Evidence-based hydrochlorothiazide use was suboptimal regardless of where the patient received care (Nephrology or Endocrinology clinic). In a small subset of patients (n = 6) with 24-h urinary calcium excretion measured at baseline and after 2 hydrochlorothiazide doses (25 and ≥ 50 mg), there was a trend toward decreased urinary calcium excretion as the dose was increased from 25 to ≥ 50 mg/day (p = 0.051). Low-dose hydrochlorothiazide was often used for prevention of CCKS despite the fact that there is no evidence that it is effective in this setting. This may have resulted from a practice pattern of using lower doses for hypertension therapy or a lack of knowledge of RCT results in treatment of CCKS.

[Nephroprotection diabetes mellitus type 2: lessons from the ADVANCE trial]

Based on the results of the ADVANCE study, the article considers the issues of medication nephroprotection in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including patients with uncontrolled arterial hypertension. Potentials for use of fixed combination of perindopril + indapmide, which provides therapeutic effect at all stages of renal continuum, are discussed. It is established that improved control of blood pressure by combination of perindopril + indapmide leads to a significant decrease in mortality in DM 2 patients.

[Low-dose combination of perindopril arginine with indapamide in correction of metabolic syndrome]

AIM

To study ways of realization of pleiotropic effects of treatment with low-dose combination of perindopril arginine with indapamide in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome (MS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty hypertensive patients with MS received low-dose combined drug noliprel A (Servier, France). In weak hypotensive effect noliprel A forte was used. An antihypertensive (by the data of 24-h blood pressure monitoring), sympatholytic (by the levels of ACTH and cortisol in blood plasma, by variability of the heart rate)and metabolic effects of the drug were assessed after 3 weeks, 3 and 6 months of treatment. Carbohydrate metabolism was studied by glucose and insulin blood levels before meal and after it. Lipid and purin metabolism were assessed by enzyme method, leptin levels - by enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

24-h blood pressure monitoring registered a stable regular blood pressure lowering, target blood pressure was achieved in 78.6% patients. Blood ACTH concentration significantly reduced showing a sympatholytic action of the drug. Parameters of lipid, carbohydrate and purin metabolism changed insignificantly. Positive changes were seen in anthropometric indices, leptin tended to decrease. Changes in these parameters, sympatholytic and hypotensive effects depended on plasmic levels of leptin.

CONCLUSION

A fixed low-dose combination of perindopril arginine with indapamide in a stable hypotensive effect and metabolic neutrality influences some key components of MS including hyperactivity of sympathic autonomic nervous system component and hyperleptinemia.

[Selection of rational combinations of indapamide with various of calcium antagonists in patients with arterial hypertension]

We studied 89 patients with II degree arterial hypertension (age 43-67 years). Before and in 24 weeks after therapy we carried out 24-hour monitoring of arterial pressure and Doppler echocardiography. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Combination therapy with indapamide and verapamil retard, indapamide and amlodipine were prescribed to patients of group 1 and 2, respectively. At the background of therapy circadian rhythm was normalized in 82.8 and 76.9% of patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively. In group1 therapy was especially effective in patients with type 1 left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD), 24-hour nondipper profile, and hyperkinetic type of circulation. In group 2 pronounced changes of parameters were seen in II-III type of LVDD and hypokinetic type of circulation.

Erectile dysfunction and later cardiovascular disease in men with type 2 diabetes: prospective cohort study based on the ADVANCE (Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified-Release Controlled Evaluation) trial

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between erectile problems in men and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.

BACKGROUND

Although there are plausible mechanisms linking erectile dysfunction (ED) with coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, studies are scarce.

METHODS

In a cohort analysis of the ADVANCE (Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified-Release Controlled Evaluation) trial population, 6,304 men age 55 to 88 years with type 2 diabetes participated in a baseline medical examination when inquiries were made about ED. Over 5 years of follow-up, during which study members attended repeat clinical examinations, the presence of fatal and nonfatal CVD outcomes, cognitive decline, and dementia was ascertained.

RESULTS

After adjusting for a range of covariates, including existing illness, psychological health, and classic CVD risk factors, relative to those who were free of the condition, baseline ED was associated with an elevated risk of all CVD events (hazard ratio: 1.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.08 to 1.32), CHD (hazard ratio: 1.35; 95% confidence interval: 1.16 to 1.56), and cerebrovascular disease (hazard ratio: 1.36; 95% confidence interval: 1.11 to 1.67). Men who experienced ED at baseline and at 2-year follow-up had the highest risk for these outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of men with type 2 diabetes, ED was associated with a range of CVD events.

The effect of treatment based on a diuretic (indapamide) +/- ACE inhibitor (perindopril) on fractures in the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET)

BACKGROUND

fractures may have serious implications in an elderly individual, and fracture prevention may include a careful choice of medications.

DESIGN

the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET) was a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of a thiazide-like diuretic (indapamide 1.5 mg SR) with the optional addition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (perindopril 2-4 mg). Fracture was a secondary end point of the trial.

SETTING

HYVET recruited participants from Eastern and Western Europe, China, Australasia, and Tunisia.

SUBJECTS

all participants were > or =80 years of age and hypertensive.

METHODS

participants were randomised to receive a thiazide-like diuretic (indapamide 1.5 mg SR) +/- ACE inhibitor (perindopril 2-4 mg) or matching placebos. Incident fractures were validated and analysed based on time to first fracture.

RESULTS

there were 3,845 participants in HYVET and a total 102 reported fractures (42 in the active and 60 in the placebo group). When taking only validated first fractures, 90 were included in the analyses (38 in the active and 52 in the placebo group). Cox proportional hazard regression, adjusted for key baseline risk factors, resulted in a point estimate of 0.58 (95% CI 0.33-1.00, P = 0.0498).

CONCLUSIONS

despite the lowering of blood pressure, treatment with a thiazide-like diuretic and an ACE inhibitor does not increase and may decrease fracture rate.

Efficacy and safety of routine blood pressure lowering in older patients with diabetes: results from the ADVANCE trial

OBJECTIVE

The efficacy and safety of blood pressure lowering in elderly patients have not been sufficiently investigated in patients with diabetes. Using data from the Action in Diabetes and Vascular disease: preterAx and diamicroN-MR Controlled Evaluation study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of routine blood pressure lowering to prevent major clinical outcomes in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

Eleven thousand one hundred and forty patients aged at least 55 years with type 2 diabetes (mean 66+/-6 years) were randomly assigned to perindopril-indapamide or placebo. The primary endpoint was a composite of major macrovascular and microvascular disease. The effects of active treatment on outcomes were estimated in subgroups according to age: below 65, 65-74 and at least 75 years.

RESULTS

During a mean 4.3-year follow-up, 1799 (16.1%) patients experienced a major event. Active treatment produced similar relative risk reductions for the primary outcome, major macrovascular disease, death and renal events across age groups (all P heterogeneity >0.3). Over 5 years, active treatment was estimated to prevent one primary outcome in every 21, 71 and 118 patients of at least 75, 65-74 and below 65 years, respectively. Similar patterns of benefits were observed for secondary outcomes. There were no differences in the tolerability between randomized allocations across age groups (all P heterogeneity >0.6)

CONCLUSION

Routine administration of perindopril-indapamide lowers blood pressure safely and reduces the risk of major clinical outcomes in patients of at least 75 years with type 2 diabetes. The greater absolute benefits in older patients in this age group were not offset by an increased risk of side effects.

Development and validation of a stability-indicating assay method for simultaneous determination of perindopril and indapamide in combined dosage form by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

An approach of forced degradation study was successfully applied for the development of a stability-indicating assay method for simultaneous determination of perindopril and indapamide in a formulation in the presence of its degradation products. The method showed adequate separation of perindopril and indapamide from their associated main impurities and degradation products. Separation was achieved on an XTerra RP18, 5 microm, 150 x 4.6 mm id column at 55 degrees C by using the mobile phase NaH2PO4 buffer (pH 2.0; 0.005 M)-acetonitrile (75 + 25, v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min and UV detection at 215 nm. Comprehensive stress testing of perindopril and indapamide was carried out according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guideline Q1A (R2). The specificity of the method was determined by assessing interference from the placebo and by stress testing of the drug (forced degradation). The drug was subjected to acid hydrolysis, base hydrolysis, oxidation, dry heat, and photolysis to apply stress conditions. There were no other coeluting, interfering peaks from excipients, impurities, or degradation products due to variable stress conditions, and the method was specific for determination of perindopril and indapamide in the presence of degradation products. The method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness, and solution stability. The linearity of the proposed method was investigated in the range of 24-56 microg/mL (r2 = 0.9993) for perindopril and 7.5-17.5 microg/mL (r2 = 0.9992) for indapamide. Degradation products produced as a result of stress studies did not interfere with the detection of perindopril and indapamide, and the assay can thus be considered stability indicating.

[Comparative efficiency of indapamide combinations with various derivaties of calcium antagonists in patients with arterial hypertension]

The study included 59 patients aged 42-65 yr with grade II AH. They underwent 24 hour AP monitoring and Doppler echocardiography before and 16 weeks after onset of the study. The patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups. In group 1, they were given combined therapy with indapamide and verapamil retard. Patients of group 2 were treated with indapamide and amlodipine. AP circadian rhythm returned to normal in 83 and 78.6% of the patients in groups 1 and 2 respectively. Combined therapy in group 1 was especially beneficial for patients with type 1 left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, daily non-dipper profile, and hyperkinetic type of blood circulation. In group 2, the most pronounced changes were documented in patients with type II-III left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and hypokinetic type of circulation.

Treating hypertension by rational use of diuretics: results of the Russian ARGUS-2 Study

OBJECTIVE

Insufficient use of diuretics in combination antihypertensive therapy is a main cause of poor blood pressure (BP) control in Russia. The objective of the ARGUS-2 study was to demonstrate that a rational use of a thiazide-like diuretic, indapamide sustained release (SR), alone or in combination, improves BP control in patients with arterial hypertension difficult to control due to isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic nephropathy, or metabolic syndrome.

METHODS

The open-label, non-comparative, 3-month study without preliminary washout included 1438 hypertensive patients (mean age: 57.3 +/- 10.7 years, mean BP: 158.8 +/- 14.2/93.4 +/- 10.0 mmHg), with difficult-to-control arterial hypertension and who had never been treated with diuretics previously. Throughout the study, patients received indapamide SR 1.5 mg OD. BP control was defined as <140/90 mmHg for all patients and <130/80 mmHg for those with diabetes mellitus or chronic nephropathy.

RESULTS

Indapamide SR was given as initiation monotherapy to 13.7% of the patients, as substitutive monotherapy to 6.8% of the patients uncontrolled by a previous monotherapy, as additive therapy to 31.9% of the patients uncontrolled by previous monotherapy, and as additive therapy to 47.6% uncontrolled by previous combination therapy without a diuretic. Among included patients 75.7% received also an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptors blocker, 43.9% a calcium channel blocker, and 32.8% a beta-blocker. In 3 months after indapamide SR administration, average BP level decreased to 131.8 +/- 9.7/80.5 +/- 6.9 mmHg and 84.5% of the study population achieved BP control. BP was controlled in 91.9% of patients with ISH (n = 477), 74.8% of those with diabetes (n = 214), 75.6% of those with chronic nephropathy (n = 82), and 85.1% of patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 745). No case of hypokalemia was reported.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates the value of including the thiazide-like diuretic indapamide SR in a combined antihypertensive regimen to control BP in hypertensive patients with added cardiovascular risk factors whose hypertension is difficult to treat. Methodological limitations of this study are its open-label design and the possibility of a change in concomitant antihypertensive treatment during the study.

Evaluation of high dose of perindopril/indapamide fixed combination in reducing blood pressure and improving end-organ protection in hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND

Despite the widespread notion that controlling hypertension is essential to improve cardiovascular outcome, uncontrolled hypertension rates remain high. Fixed-dose combinations are used routinely to reduce the impact of hypertension. Treatment with fixed-combination perindopril/indapamide, for example, at the currently approved doses (perindopril 2 mg/indapamide 0.625 mg [Per2/Ind0.625] and perindopril 4 mg/indapamide 1.25 mg [Per4/Ind1.25]), reduces blood pressure, end-organ damage, and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of hypertensive patients.

AIM AND SCOPE

This article reviews three published randomised trials that evaluated the efficacy and safety of the highest dose of perindopril/indapamide (perindopril 8 mg/indapamide 2.5 mg [Per8/Ind2.5]) in blood pressure lowering and end-organ protection studies.

RESULTS

In the first (dose-finding) study, incremental reductions in SBP/DBP were observed with each dose doubling. After 8 weeks of treatment, decreases in supine SBP/DBP were statistically significant compared to placebo for all three doses, with incremental and progressive reductions with each dose doubling: ranging from SBP/DBP respectively -14/-9 mmHg for Per2/Ind0.625 to -23/-15 mmHg for Per8/Ind2.5 compared to -5/-5 mmHg for placebo. In the PICXEL and PREMIER trials, SBP/DBP decreases of 16.3/8.1 mmHg (p < 0.0001) and 2.5/2.6 mmHg, respectively, were noted when Per4/Ind1.25 was doubled to Per8/Ind2.5 (decreases from 167.7/101.7 to 151.4/93.6 in PICXEL and from 154.9/92.1 to 152.4/89.5 in PREMIER, respectively). As a consequence more patients had normalised blood pressure (22% and 17%), more patients responded to treatment (68% and 45%), and 29% and 10% of non-responders became responders, in PICXEL and PREMIER, respectively. Additional end-organ benefits were also noted with Per8/Ind2.5. In PICXEL, significant decreases from baseline in left ventricular mass were noted with all three doses, with a 17.5 g/m(2) decrease from baseline in patients whose maximum dose was Per8/Ind2.5 (from 148.5 g/m(2) +/- 39.5 (mean +/- SD) to 131 g/m(2); p < 0.0001). In PREMIER, changes in albumin excretion rate were also noted with all three doses, with a 45% reduction from baseline in patients whose maximum dose was Per8/Ind2.5 (p < 0.0001). When safety data, including potassium levels, were analysed, the increase in dose to Per8/Ind2.5 did not have a notable impact on the safety profile of perindopril/indapamide.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on data available from an evaluation of three randomised clinical trials, fixed-combination Per8/Ind2.5 provided a significant, incremental reduction in blood pressure as well as cardiac and renal end-organ protection while remaining safe and well-tolerated.

Urinary N-Acetyl B Glucosaminidase as an Earlier Marker of Diabetic Nephropathy and Influence of Low-Dose Perindopril/Indapamide Combination

INTRODUCTION

Tubulointerstitial injury is both a key feature of diabetic nephropathy and an important predictor of renal dysfunction. N-Acetyl B glucosaminidase (NAG) is derived from proximal tubular cells and is widely used to evaluate tubular renal function.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is whether NAG can be used as an early marker of diabetic nephropathy by comparing the urinary NAG levels between healthy controls and diabetic patients and determining changes in urinary NAG excretion after treatment with low-dose combination perindopril (2 mg)/ indapamide (0.625 mg)/o.d.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 50 patients (29 female) with type II diabetes mellitus applying to our diabetes outpatient clinics for the first time were included in our study (Group 1). Diabetic patients were classified into three subgroups on the basis of their duration of diabetes: Group 1A (n = 15) < or = 3 years, Group 1B (n = 19) 3 to 5 years, and Group 1c (n = 16) > 5 years. The inclusion criteria were no prior use of antihypertensive agents; blood pressure < 130/85 mmHg; urinary albumin excretion < 30 mg/day; and absence of renal failure, diabetietes, and hypertensive retinopathy. A total of 30 healthy individuals (16 female) (Group 2) were assessed as the control group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, HbA1c, body mass index, 24-h microalbuminuria (MAU), and NAG measurements in urine samples were performed by using colorimetric assay method in an analyzer (Roche Cobas Mira). The assay defined as fragmentation of 3-cresolsulfonphthaleinyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide molecule by NAG to 3-cresolsulphonphthalein and N-acetylglucosamine molecules and serum creatinine were measured in all groups. Type II diabetic patients were administered perindopril (2 mg)/indapamide (0.625 mg) combination once daily for 4 months, and urinary NAG levels were measured at the end of treatment.

RESULTS

Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups 1 and 2 with respect to the levels of NAG and HbA1c (p < 0.05). In the treatment group, NAG levels decreased significantly (p < 0.05), whereas blood pressure and HbA1c levels did not change significantly (p > 0.05). In diabetic patients, pretreatment NAG were lowest in Group 1A and highest in Group 1c, although the difference between the treatment subgroups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Urinary NAG excretion is elevated in type II diabetic patients as compared with the healthy individuals. Perindopril/indapamide administration is effective in reducing urinary NAG excretion in these patients, and this effect seems to be independent from blood pressure and glycemia control. Presence of tubular proteinuria may be an early indicator of diabetic renal disease in patients without microalbuminuria. Perindopril (2 mg)/ indapamide (0.625 mg)/o.d. treatment may have beneficial effect on the tubulointerstitial damage in diabetic kidney disease.

[Effect of antihypertensive drugs on some humoral parameters of endothelial function]

We assessed effect of antihypertensive drugs from various classes on humoral parameters of endothelial function - levels of asymmetrical dimethyl-arginine (ADMA) and metabolites of nitrous oxide (MNO) - in 106 patients with I-II degree arterial hypertension before and after 2 weeks of treatment. Two weeks treatment with various antihypertensive drugs did not lead to significant changes of ADMA levels. However antihypertensive drugs from various classes produced different effects on levels of MNO. Combination antihypertensive preparation indapamide and perindopril caused significant elevation of MNO level in patients with I-II degree arterial hypertension what appears to be indirect reflection of augmentation of nitrous oxide formation and improvement of endothelial function.

[Immunomodulating, metabolic and cardioprotective effects of AT1-angiotensin receptors blocker losartan in patients with coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus]

AIM

To evaluate effects of 6-month therapy with losartan in combination with indapamide on a clinical course, immunological, metabolic parameters, left ventricular function, exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) associated with metabolic syndrome (MS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty six CHD patients with postinfarction cardiac dysfunction in MS were randomized into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 22 patients with impaired glucose tolerance, group 2--of 24 type 2 diabetics. Treatment included combination of losartan (50 mg/day) with indapamide (1.5 mg/day), on demand nitrates, nebivolol. Basic therapy in diabetes included sugar-reducing drugs. Clinical condition, findings of echocardiography, parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms, immunoglobulins, circulating immune complexes, autoantibodies to cardiolipin (AB to CL), spectrum of proinflammatory cytokines were studied before and 3 months after course treatment.

RESULTS

Overactivation of cytokines (primarily IL-2, IL-1, TNF alpha) with high expression of IgA, IgG, CIC, AB to CL was found in CHD patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and less evident in impaired glucose tolerance. Losartan in both groups had an antihypertensive effect, stabilized LV hypertrophy, improved clinical symptoms leading to cytokines expression decline: TNF alpha by 9.8%, IL-1--by 6.1%, IL-6--by 6.7%. Losartan was well tolerated, caused no negative metabolic effects.

CONCLUSION

New original facts of cytokine overactivation and humoral immunity disturbances were discovered which play an essential role in pathogenesis of postinfarction dysfunction and LV remodeling developing in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Losartan 6-month treatment in the fixed combination has a positive effect on clinicohemodynamic and immunometabolic indices. This gives grounds for wider use of losartan in CHD combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Combined antihypertensive treatment of patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus]

AIM

To investigate antihypertensive efficacy, effects on endothelial, diastolic function of the left ventricle and metabolism of combination of ACE inhibitor quinapril (accupro) with diuretic indapamide SR in patients with hypertension of the second-third degree and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and free of DM.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Outpatient treatment was given to 60 patients with AH (mean age 55.3 +/- 9.6 years) in combination with mild or moderate DM (group 1) and free of DM (group 2). The patients were observed for 12 weeks. Clinical and biochemical blood tests, ECG, echo-CG, measurements of blood pressure were made in all the patients.

RESULTS

Quinapril course (mean dose 23.3 +/- 9.8 mg/day) in combination with indapamide (1.5 mg/ day) produced a complete hypotensive effect in group 1 (23 patients, 76.7%), in group 2--25 (83.3%). DM patients demonstrated reduction of fasting and postprandial glycemia and cholesterol, time of isovolumic relaxation reduced in group 1 by 9.1%, in group 2 by 19.8% (p < 0.01). Left ventricular diastolic function improved, endothelium-dependent vasodilation in diabetics rose by 40%, non-endothelium-dependent--by 21.8%, in hypertensive patients free of DM--by 51.9 and 43.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Combination of quinapril with indapamide produces a significant antihypertensive effect in patients with AH of degree II-III associated with type 2 DM, improves carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, left ventricular diastolic function.

[Combined antihypertensive therapy in patients with arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes]

The aim of the study was to assess effect of 12-week long combined therapy with quinapril (accupro), an ACE inhibitor, and diuretic indapamide SR on arterial pressure (AP), carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and safety of the treatment in patients having arterial hypertension (AH) with and without DM2. Sixty outpatients with grade II-III AH (mean age 55.3 +/- 9.6 yr) were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 30) comprised patients with AH and DM2, group 2 (n = 30) included patients with AH alone. Combined therapy with daily doses of 23.3 +/- 9.8 g accupro and 1.5 mg indapamide reduced systolic and diastolic AP by 30.2 and 27.3% respectively in group 1 and by 27.6 and 27.1% in group 2. In patients with AH and DM2, fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels decreased by 7.3 and 5.2% and HbA1c by 8.9% (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol tended to decrease in both groups. HDL cholesterol significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 11.1% in group 1 and 10% in group 2 Side effects were documented only in 8.3% of the patients and did not require withdrawal of therapy. It is concluded that antihypertensive treatment with quinapril (accupro), an ACE inhibitor, and diuretic indapamide SR may be recommended for long-term therapy of AH concomitant with DM2.

Efficacy of a very-low-dose combination of perindopril and indapamide--preterax compared with cilazapril monotherapy in patients with inadequate blood pressure control--a randomized, double-blind, add-on study

BACKGROUND

Combined regimen may be superior to monotherapy in blood pressure (BP) control. Since BP control is critically related to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in hypertensive patients, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a low-dose combined regimen of preterax compared with cilazapril monotherapy for better BP control in treated hypertensive patients.

METHODS

Stable hypertensive patients were evaluated if their systolic BP (SBP) was > 130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) was > 85 mmHg even with up to 2 antihypertensive drugs. Patients were excluded if they were on angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or a diuretic. They were then randomized to receive either preterax (perindopril 2 mg and indapamide 0.625 mg) or cilazapril 2.5 mg once daily in a double-blind fashion for a period of 12 weeks after a 2-week placebo run-in phase. Sitting BP was recorded and the safety and efficacy were evaluated at each visit every 4 weeks. Response was defined as positive if SBP was < or = 140 mmHg and DBP was < or = 90 mmHg at the last visit or there was > 20 mmHg reduction in SBP and/or > 10 mmHg reduction in DBP using either treatment. Plasma biochemical analysis was performed both before and after the treatment.

RESULTS

Among the 47 patients initially enrolled, 41 completed the study (21 in the preterax group, 20 in the cilazapril group). There was no difference in the number of adverse events between the 2 groups. SBP was significantly reduced by preterax (13.43 +/- 12.48mmHg, p < 0.0001) and cilazapril (9.00 +/- 13.75 mmHg, p < 0.05). However, DBP was significantly reduced only by preterax (7.67 +/- 9.40 mmHg, p = 0.0009) but not by cilazapril (3.60 +/- 8.37 mmHg, p > 0.05). The response rate was significantly higher to preterax (100%) than to cilazapril (70%) (p = 0.0086).

CONCLUSION

Though similar in safety, combined regimen preterax was more effective than cilazapril to facilitate adequate BP control in already-treated hypertensives. It can be added on to other antihypertensives for better BP control in clinical hypertension.