Nighttime home blood pressure lowering effect of esaxerenone in patients with uncontrolled nocturnal hypertension: the EARLY-NH study

Evolution of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, aldosterone synthase inhibitors, and alternative treatments for managing primary aldosteronism

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a prevalent and curable secondary hypertensive disorder that accounts for 5-13% of all hypertension cases. The prevalence of resistant hypertension, cerebral and cardiovascular diseases, and renal complications is higher in PA patients than in those with essential hypertension. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment at an early stage may suppress cerebral and cardiovascular events. Lifestyle modifications recommended for essential hypertensive patients, including dietary salt restriction and appropriate calorie intake to avoid fat accumulation, play a crucial role in suppressing overactivation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), which helps to control blood pressure and prevent end-organ damage. Esaxerenone is a safe mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) with strong antihypertensive and anti-albuminuric effects. Aldosterone synthase inhibitors (ASIs) have been developed, which are antihypertensive agents with a new mechanism of action. The pharmacological mechanisms of MRAs and ASIs differ; MRAs block MR activity by preventing aldosterone and/or cortisol from binding to the MR, while ASIs block aldosterone secretion from the adrenal gland. Other new treatments, such as robot-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy, percutaneous computed tomography radiofrequency ablation, transvenous radiofrequency catheter ablation, and super-selective adrenal arterial embolization have been developed. Further research will lead to better treatments for PA patients and reduce the frequency of cerebral and cardiovascular events.

Home blood pressure-lowering effect of esaxerenone versus trichlormethiazide for uncontrolled hypertension: a predefined subanalysis of the EXCITE-HT randomized controlled trial by basal calcium channel blocker versus angiotensin receptor blocker

This prespecified subanalysis of the multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group EXCITE-HT study aimed to examine the non-inferiority of esaxerenone to trichlormethiazide as a second-line antihypertensive agent according to the basal antihypertensive agent used (angiotensin receptor blocker [ARB] or calcium channel blocker [CCB]). The primary endpoint, change in morning home systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) from baseline to end of treatment was similar between the two groups (intergroup difference in least squares mean change [95% confidence interval]: -1.3 [-3.8, 1.3]/-0.2 [-1.6, 1.3] mmHg for ARB; -2.7 [-4.2, -1.2]/-0.8 [-1.7, 0.1] mmHg for CCB). The respective incidences of serum potassium levels <3.5 mEq/L and ≥5.5 mEq/L in the ARB subgroup were 3.4% and 4.2% for esaxerenone and 7.9% and 0% for trichlormethiazide; in the CCB subgroup, they were 2.8% and 0.6% for esaxerenone and 13.9% and 1.2% for trichlormethiazide, respectively. The incidence of uric acid level ≥7.0 mg/dL was numerically higher in the trichlormethiazide group than the esaxerenone group in both the ARB and CCB subgroups. The non-inferiority of esaxerenone to trichlormethiazide in lowering morning home BP was demonstrated regardless of whether the basal antihypertensive agent was an ARB or CCB. Esaxerenone with a CCB showed superiority to trichlormethiazide in lowering SBP, without any new safety concerns. Serum potassium levels tended to be higher when esaxerenone was combined with an ARB than with a CCB, but this can be mitigated if administered according to the package insert. A subgroup analysis of the EXCITE-HT study according to basal antihypertensive agent demonstrated the non-inferiority of esaxerenone to trichlormethiazide in lowering morning home BP regardless irrespective of the basal antihypertensive agent. Esaxerenone with a CCB showed superiority to trichlormethiazide in lowering SBP, without any new safety concerns.

Time-Space Network Hypertension in the Digital Era - Update From Jichi Medical University Hypertension Study

Time-space network hypertension is a data science approach that connects diverse information related to hypertension within a time-space framework. This field of academic research aims to predict disease onset and direct effective, individualized, optimized treatments by integrating and analyzing the variability of multiple internal biological and external environmental signals as they relate to blood pressure variability across different time phases. By linking time series changes in blood pressure and biological distribution with multi-environmental and physiological information, enabled by advances in digital technology, the time-space network hypertension approach contributes to "digital hypertension" research. This article from Jichi Medical University provides an update on research relating to the time-space network hypertension approach, which is designed to progress hypertension management towards achieving net zero cardiovascular events.

Rationale and Design of a Randomized, Open-Label, Parallel-Group Study of Esaxerenone Versus Angiotensin Receptor Blockers in Older Patients With Uncontrolled Hypertension on Calcium Channel Blocker Monotherapy (ESCORT-HT)

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are commonly prescribed as first- and second-line treatments for older Japanese patients with hypertension. However, due to age-related decline in renin activity, the effectiveness of ARBs may decrease. This highlights the need for other antihypertensive agents to be used in combination with CCBs to replace ARBs for more effective blood pressure (BP) control. The ESCORT-HT study is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label, parallel-group study with a 4-week run-in period and 12-week treatment period. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of esaxerenone as a second-line treatment for hypertension and to determine whether its BP-lowering effect is noninferior to that of ARBs in older patients with uncontrolled hypertension on CCB monotherapy. The safety profiles of esaxerenone and ARBs will also be evaluated. Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either esaxerenone or an ARB. The primary efficacy endpoint will be the change from baseline in morning home systolic BP at the end of the treatment period. The BP-lowering effect of esaxerenone will be considered noninferior to that of ARBs if the upper limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in systolic BP change between esaxerenone and ARB is <3.8 mmHg, and will be considered superior if the upper limit of the two-sided 95% CI is <0. The findings may elucidate the possible benefits of earlier use of mineralocorticoid receptor blockers in combination with CCBs in older patients with essential hypertension.

Factors influencing the efficacy and safety of esaxerenone in hypertensive patients: a pooled analysis of five clinical studies on different comorbidities

This study aimed to identify factors associated with a strong home blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect of esaxerenone and the incidence of elevated serum potassium levels in hypertensive patients treated with esaxerenone. A pooled analysis of five multicenter, prospective, open-label single-arm studies was conducted, including 479 patients in the full analysis set (FAS) and 492 patients in the safety analysis set. Multivariate linear regression analysis of morning home systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) changes from baseline to Week 12 in the FAS (primary endpoint) showed that male sex (estimated change 4.37 mmHg), office pulse rate ≥100 beats/min (25.10 mmHg), and calcium channel blocker (CCB) use as a basal antihypertensive agent (4.53 mmHg) were significantly associated with a positive estimated change (weaker BP-lowering effect) in morning home SBP. CCB use (3.70 mmHg) was associated with a positive estimated change in morning home DBP. Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio 30 to <300 mg/gCr (-4.13 mmHg) was significantly associated with a negative estimated change (stronger BP-lowering effect) in morning home SBP. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, elevated baseline serum potassium level (≥4.5 vs < 4.5 mEq/L, odds ratio 13.502) was significantly associated with a high incidence of serum potassium level ≥5.5 mEq/L after esaxerenone treatment. In conclusion, factors associated with a strong BP-lowering effect of esaxerenone were female sex and use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors as a basal antihypertensive drug. Patients with baseline serum potassium levels ≥4.5 mEq/L had an increased risk of developing elevated serum potassium levels (≥5.5 mEq/L) after esaxerenone treatment.

Home blood pressure-lowering effect of a non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor blocker, esaxerenone, versus trichlormethiazide for uncontrolled hypertension: the EXCITE-HT randomized controlled study

The EXCITE-HT study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of esaxerenone versus thiazide diuretics (trichlormethiazide) as second-line treatment for Japanese patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension. This was a 12-week, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study. The non-inferiority of esaxerenone to trichlormethiazide was confirmed if the upper limit of the two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) for the difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP)/diastolic blood pressure (DBP) change between groups was below 3.9/2.1 mmHg. A total of 295 and 290 patients were included in the esaxerenone and trichlormethiazide groups, respectively. The non-inferiority of esaxerenone to trichlormethiazide was demonstrated: least squares mean change differences in morning home SBP/DBP at end of treatment (EOT) were -2.2 (95% CI, -3.6, -0.8) mmHg for SBP/-0.6 (-1.4, 0.2) mmHg for DBP. Morning home, bedtime home, and office BP significantly decreased (all p < 0.001) from baseline to EOT in both groups. The urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide level decreased from baseline to Week 12 in both groups, with no notable intergroup difference. Serum potassium elevations occurred more frequently with esaxerenone, while serum potassium reductions occurred more with trichlormethiazide. Uric acid elevations were observed in both groups, but more frequently with trichlormethiazide than esaxerenone. No cases of gout occurred in this study. Reductions in estimated glomerular filtration rate were similarly observed in both groups. EXCITE-HT is the first randomized controlled study to demonstrate evidence that esaxerenone is non-inferior to trichlormethiazide as second-line treatment for Japanese patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension, with no new safety concerns. The EXCITE-HT study demonstrated the non-inferiority of esaxerenone to trichlormethiazide in its morning home blood pressure lowering effect and safety profile in Japanese patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension who were previously treated with an angiotensin II receptor blocker or calcium channel blocker.

Esaxerenone: blood pressure reduction and cardiorenal protection without reflex sympathetic activation in salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is involved in the mechanisms of blood pressure elevation, organ fibrosis, and inflammation. MR antagonists have been used in patients with hypertension, heart failure, or chronic kidney disease. Esaxerenone, a recently approved MR blocker with a nonsteroidal structure, has demonstrated a strong blood pressure-lowering effect. However, blood pressure reduction may lead to sympathetic activation through the baroreflex. The effect of esaxerenone on the sympathetic nervous system remains unclear. We investigated the effect of esaxerenone on organ damage and the sympathetic nervous system in salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP), a well-established model of essential hypertension with sympathoexcitation and organ damage. Three-week administration of esaxerenone or hydralazine successfully attenuated the blood pressure elevation. Both esaxerenone and hydralazine comparably suppressed left ventricular hypertrophy and urinary albumin excretion. However, renal fibrosis and glomerular sclerosis were suppressed by esaxerenone but not hydralazine. Furthermore, plasma norepinephrine level, a parameter of systemic sympathetic activity, was significantly increased by hydralazine but not by esaxerenone. Consistent with these findings, the activity of the control centers of sympathetic nervous system, the parvocellular region of the paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus and the rostral ventrolateral medulla, was enhanced by hydralazine but remained unaffected by esaxerenone. These results suggest that esaxerenone effectively lowers blood pressure without inducing reflex sympathetic nervous system activation. Moreover, the organ-protective effects of esaxerenone appear to be partially independent of its blood pressure-lowering effect. In conclusion, esaxerenone demonstrates a blood pressure-lowering effect without concurrent sympathetic activation and exerts organ-protective effects in salt-loaded SHRSP. Esaxerenone has antihypertensive and cardiorenal protective effects without reflex sympathetic activation in salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Antihypertensive effect of esaxerenone and correlation between brachial and wrist home monitoring devices in patients with nocturnal hypertension: A post hoc analysis of the EARLY-NH study

Adequate management of nocturnal hypertension is crucial to reduce the risk of organ damage and cardiovascular events. The EARLY-NH study was a prospective, open-label, multicenter study conducted in Japanese patients with nocturnal hypertension who received esaxerenone treatment for 12 weeks. This post hoc analysis aimed to assess (1) the relationship between changes in morning home systolic blood pressure (SBP), bedtime home SBP, and nighttime home SBP based on changes in SBP and achievement rates of target SBP levels; and (2) the correlation between nighttime home SBP measurements using brachial and wrist home BP monitoring (HBPM) devices. This analysis evaluated 82 patients who completed the 12-week treatment period. Among those who achieved target morning home SBP (<135 mmHg) and target bedtime home SBP (<135 mmHg), the brachial HBPM device showed achievement rates of 63.6% and 56.4%, respectively, for target nighttime home SBP (<120 mmHg). The wrist device showed achievement rates of 66.7% and 63.4%, respectively, for the same targets. Significant correlations were observed between both devices for nighttime home SBP measurements at baseline (r = 0.790), Week 12 (r = 0.641), and change from baseline to Week 12 (r = 0.533) (all, p < .001). In this patient population, approximately 60% of individuals who reached target morning or bedtime home SBP levels <135 mmHg exhibited well-controlled nighttime home SBP. Although nighttime home SBP measurements obtained using both brachial and wrist HBPM devices displayed a significant correlation, the wrist device needs to be examined in more detail for clinical use.

Efficacy and Safety of Esaxerenone in Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (ESES-LVH) Study: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Prospective, Interventional Study

INTRODUCTION

In contrast to the antihypertensive effect of esaxerenone, there is little evidence of its cardioprotective effect. We investigated the efficacy and safety of esaxerenone in patients with uncontrolled hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy taking a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) or calcium-channel blocker (CCB).

METHODS

This was a multicenter, open-label, exploratory study with a 24-week treatment period. Esaxerenone was orally administered at an initial dose of 2.5 mg/day (maximum dose: 5 mg/day). The primary endpoints were the change in morning home systolic blood pressure (BP)/diastolic BP and change and percentage change in left ventricular mass index (LVMI) from baseline to end of treatment (EOT). Key secondary endpoints included change from baseline in bedtime home and office BP, achievement rate of target BP, and safety.

RESULTS

In total, 60 patients were enrolled. Morning home systolic/diastolic BP was significantly decreased from baseline to EOT in the total population (- 11.5/ - 4.7 mmHg, p < 0.001) and in both the RASi and CCB subcohorts (all p < 0.01). Significant reductions in bedtime home and office BP were shown in the total population and both subcohorts. LVMI was also significantly decreased from baseline to EOT in the total population (- 9.9 g/m2, - 8.5%, both p < 0.001) and both subcohorts (all p < 0.05). The incidences of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and drug-related TEAEs were 35.0% and 3.3%, respectively; most were mild or moderate. No new safety concerns were identified.

CONCLUSION

Esaxerenone showed favorable antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects and safety in hypertensive patients with cardiac hypertrophy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs071190043).

Management of nocturnal hypertension: An expert consensus document from Chinese Hypertension League

Nocturnal hypertension is highly prevalent among Chinese and Asian populations, which is mainly attributed to high salt intake and high salt sensitivity. Nocturnal hypertension increases the risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, independent of daytime blood pressure (BP). However, it can usually be detected by 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring, rather than routine office or home BP measurement, thus is often underdiagnosed in clinical practice. Currently, no specific guidance is available for the management of nocturnal hypertension in China or worldwide. Experts from the Chinese Hypertension League summarized the epidemiologic and pathophysiologic characteristics and clinical phenotype of nocturnal hypertension and provided consensus recommendations on optimal management of nocturnal hypertension, with the goal of maximally reducing the cardiovascular disease risks. In this consensus document, 24-h ABPM is recommended for screening and diagnosis of nocturnal hypertension, especially in the elderly, patients with diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, obstructive sleep apnea and other conditions prone to high nocturnal BP. Lifestyle modifications including salt intake restriction, exercise, weight loss, sleep improvement, and mental stress relief are recommended. Long-acting antihypertensive medications are preferred for nocturnal and 24-h BP control. Some newly developed agents, renal denervation, and other device-based therapy on nocturnal BP reduction are evaluated.

Rationale and design of a multicenter randomized study comparing the efficacy and safety of esaxerenone versus trichlormethiazide in patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension: EXCITE-HT study

The next-generation mineralocorticoid receptor blocker (MRB) esaxerenone has favorable antihypertensive effects in patients who do not respond to treatment with first-line antihypertensive agents and may be beneficial as a second-line treatment. However, MRBs are currently considered a fourth-line treatment as there is no clinical evidence comparing the efficacy of esaxerenone with other classes of antihypertensive agents. The multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group EXCITE-HT study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of esaxerenone as a second-line agent in the treatment of Japanese patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension. After a 4-week run-in period, patients will receive either esaxerenone or trichlormethiazide for 12 weeks per the package insert and the Japanese Society of Hypertension Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension. At Weeks 4 and 8, the dose of esaxerenone or trichlormethiazide may be increased. Blood pressure (home [morning and bedtime] and office), serum biomarkers, and urinary biomarkers will be measured. The primary efficacy endpoint is the change from baseline in morning home systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure to the end of treatment. The EXCITE-HT study is expected to validate the non-inferiority of esaxerenone to trichlormethiazide and provide the first evidence for the early use of esaxerenone as a second-line agent in the treatment of Japanese patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension instead of its current use as a fourth-line agent.