A phase 3 double-blind randomized (CONSORT-compliant) study of azilsartan medoxomil compared to valsartan in Chinese patients with essential hypertension

[Changing Concepts About Optimal Target Blood Pressure and the Therapeutic Advantages of Azilsartan for Achieving it]

The article discusses current issues of the treatment of arterial hypertension. According to presented data, so-called therapeutic nihilism is becoming one of the main barriers to achieving target blood pressure (BP). This nihilism is that despite evidence of the effectiveness of achieving lower BP values, practitioners do not intensify antihypertensive therapy sufficiently to achieve such values. The article specially addresses new criteria for the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy, which reflect the therapy sustainability. The most commonly used indicator is the duration of the period, during which systolic BP remains in the therapeutic range. The prognostic significance of such indicators is discussed. In these conditions, it is very important to use the most effective antihypertensive drugs for initial antihypertensive therapy, including as a part of combination therapy. This tactic provides more frequent achievement of BP goals without the need for dose adjustment. In this regard, a systematic review was performed, which included sufficiently large randomized studies of the antihypertensive effectiveness of azilsartan medoxomil. This systematic review will provide comprehensive information on a possible role of using the angiotensin II receptor blocker azilsartan as a basic drug for the treatment of a wide range of patients with high BP. Most of the studies included in the systematic review assessed the effectiveness of combination therapy including azilsartan.

Effect of Azilsartan on clinical blood pressure reduction compared to other angiotensin receptor blockers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Hypertension has significantly contributed to morbidity and mortality, necessitating effective management. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have emerged as a cornerstone in hypertension treatment. Azilsartan, a relatively recent addition to the ARB family, offers unique characteristics, including prodrug activation. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate Azilsartan's role in reducing clinical blood pressure compared to other ARBs and determine the most effective dosage.

Methods

Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov. Eligible studies included adult hypertensive patients receiving Azilsartan compared to other ARBs, with clinical systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) outcomes. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed, and statistical analysis employed comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software.

Results

Eleven randomized controlled trials encompassing 18 studies involving 6024 patients were included. Azilsartan demonstrated significant reductions in clinical SBP (mean difference=-2.85 mmHg) and DBP (mean difference=-2.095 mmHg) compared to other ARBs. Higher doses of Azilsartan showed greater efficacy, with 80 mg exhibiting the most substantial reduction in SBP. The analysis emphasized the need for more studies investigating lower Azilsartan doses (10 and 20 mg).

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis underscore Azilsartan's effectiveness in reducing SBP and DBP. Dose-dependent effects emphasize the importance of optimal dosing when prescribing Azilsartan. These findings provide valuable insights for clinicians in managing hypertension effectively and call for further research, primarily focusing on lower Azilsartan doses and a more diverse patient population.

[Sartans in the treatment of arterial hypertension: focus on telmisartan and azilsartan. A review]

The activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is one of the main pathogenetic mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases at all stages of the cardiovascular continuum. This article discusses the role of telmisartan and azilsartan as the most powerful sartans in modern cardiology. Azilsartan and especially telmisartan have a significant organoprotection and are superior to other antihypertensive drugs in terms of lowering blood pressure. However, the effect of azilsartan on hard endpoints has not been studied while the efficacy of telmisartan on hard endpoints has been evaluated in plenty clinical trials including 3 large randomized clinical trials with several thousand patients. The article also presents calculations showing the better cost-effectiveness of telmisartan compared to azilsartan.

Association of AGTR1 A1166C and CYP2C9∗3 Gene Polymorphisms with the Antihypertensive Effect of Valsartan

Background

The differences in the antihypertensive treatment with angiotensin type II receptor blockers (ARBs) may be attributed to polymorphisms in genes involving drug-targeted receptor and drug metabolism. The present study aimed to investigate whether the antihypertensive effect of the ARB drug valsartan was associated with angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) gene polymorphism (A1166 C) and cytochrome P450 enzyme 2C9 (CYP2C9) gene polymorphism (CYP2C9∗3).

Methods

281 patients with hypertension who received valsartan monotherapy in the past month were included in this retrospective study. Polymerase chain reaction-melting curve analysis was performed to genotype the AGTR1 and CYP2C9 gene polymorphisms. Based on the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at the time of visit, the patients were divided into well-controlled group (n = 144, SBP/DBP <140/90 mmHg) and poorly controlled group (n = 137, SBP/DBP ≥140/90 mmHg).

Results

Older age, decreased history of drinking, a higher proportion of mild-to-moderate hypertension, lower alanine aminotransferase levels, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were observed in the well-controlled group than the poorly controlled group. Higher frequencies of the C allele and AC + CC genotype of AGTR1 A1166C were detected in the well-controlled than the poorly controlled patients (P = 0.005 and P = 0.006). After adjustment for demographic and environmental factors, the CC + AC genotype of AGTR1 A1166C was markedly linked to better hypertension control with valsartan treatment compared to the AA genotype (odds ratio: 2.836, 95% confidence interval: 1.199–6.705, P = 0.018). No significant difference was observed in the allele or genotype distribution of CYP2C9∗3 polymorphism between well-controlled and poorly controlled patients.

Conclusions

The current data suggested that the AGTR1 A1166 C polymorphism may be associated with the antihypertensive effect of valsartan, and carriers with AC and CC genotypes may have a better antihypertensive efficacy response to valsartan treatment.

Left heart function evaluation of patients with essential hypertension and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging combined with real-time three-dimensional ultrasound imaging

Background

This study aims to assess the value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) combined with real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) in evaluating left heart function in patients with combined ETH and PAF.

Methods

A prospective study was designed, and the research period was from January 2017 to January 2020. A PAF observation group comprised of patients with ETH and PAF, a PAF control group of patients with ETH but without PAF, and a healthy volunteer group referred to as the healthy group, each comprised of 50 patients was established. All patients underwent routine ultrasound imaging examination using 2D-STI and RT-3DE. The interventricular septum thickness (IVST), left and right atrioventricular diameter (LAD), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (PWT), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the mean left atrium peak strain (mSs, mSe, mSa), strain rate (mSRs, mSRe, mSRa), the left ventricular mass (LVM), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and left atrial total emptying volume (LATEV), the left atrial volume index (LAVI), left atrial total emptying fraction (LATEF), left atrium expansion index (LAEI), left atrium passive ejection fraction (LAPEF), and left atrial active ejection fraction (LAAEF) were calculated. Patients in the PAF observation group received telmisartan combined with rosuvastatin after diagnosis and 12- and 24-month-follow up visits were conducted. During these visits, 2D-STI combined with RT-3DE was used to evaluate cardiac function and each patient's blood pressure was monitored.

Results

Patients in the PAF observation group had a significantly longer course of ETH than patients in the PAF control group (13.5±4.4 vs. 10.32±5.6, P=0.002). The comparison of routine 2D-STI and RT-3DE ultrasound indexes among the three groups also showed significant differences (P<0.01). During the 2-year follow-up period, the IVST, LAD, PWT, and LVEF of remaining patients significantly improved as treatment progressed (P<0.05). The LAVI, LATEF, and LAEI also improved significantly as the treatment progressed (P<0.05). After 12 months of treatment, the recurrence rate of atrial fibrillation was 16.33% (8/45) and after 24 months this was 34.21% (13/38).

Conclusions

Cardiac function could be evaluated comprehensively by 2D-STI combined with RT-3DE in patients with ETH combined with PAF at initial diagnosis and follow-up.