Anti-hypertensives
TIPS-3 Trial: The Combination of Polypill and Aspirin Administered to Patients at Intermediate Risk Led to a Lower Incidence of Cardiovascular Events Compared With Double Placebo
A recent trial by Dr. Salim Yusuf, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, indicated that combination therapy with aspirin plus a polypill (consisting of a statin plus three blood-pressure-lowering drugs) can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events compared with placebo among participants without established cardiovascular disease, but at moderate cardiovascular risk.
REPLACE COVID Trial: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Can Be Safely Continued in Patients Admitted to Hospital With COVID-19
A recent trial by Dr. Jordana B Cohen, published in The LANCET, indicated that consistent with international society recommendations, patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 can safely continue treatment with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB)) unless there is a distinct medical contraindication to ongoing therapy.
A Population-Based Study Showed No Association Between COVID-19-Induced In-Hospital Death and Angiotensin-Converting–Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin-Receptor Blockers Use
A recent study by Dr. Mehra, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, disapproved of the previously concerning idea regarding the potential harmful effect of angiotensin-converting–enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) in the clinical context of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). This study also demonstrated that Covid-19 may disproportionately affect individuals with cardiovascular disorders.
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Population-Based Cohort Study Shows Blood Pressure Trajectories Over The Life Course Progress More Rapidly in Women Compared to Men
A new study by Dr. Hongwei, published in JAMA Cardiology, demonstrated that blood pressure (BP) trajectories over the life course progress more rapidly in women compared to men, a process that begins as early as the third decade of life. This concept is inconsistent with the previously accepted notion that important vascular disease processes in women occur by 10 to 20 years delay compared to men. These sex-based differences in physiology may establish the cornerstone for future cardiovascular disorders that often present differently in women compared with men.
20,000 Patient Randomized Trial Shows Ingestion of Anti-hypertensive Medication at Night Associated with Better Blood Pressure Control and Improved Cardiovascular Outcomes
A randomized trial, led by Dr. Ramon Hermida, revealed that the routine ingestion of at least one prescribed anti-hypertensive medication in patients with hypertension led to improved control of ambulatory blood pressure and reduced cardiovascular risk. This study, published in the European Heart Journal, compared ingesting anti-hypertensive medication during two potential time points: upon waking and at bedtime.
CREOLE: Amlodipine with Either Perindopril or Hydrochlorothiazide Is Better Than Perindopril and Hydrochlorothiazide in Reducing Blood Pressure In Black Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa
A trial led by Dr. Dike Ojji published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that in black patients in sub-Saharan Africa, amlodipine plus either hydrochlorothiazide or perindopril was more effective than perindopril plus hydrochlorothiazide at lowering blood pressure at 6 months.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Continues To Investigate Recall of Contaminated Blood Pressure Medication Potentially carcinogenic nitrosamine impurities found in angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
The US food and drug Administration (FDA) has recently been conducting an investigation on voluntary recalls of multiple generic angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) drug products used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. The recalls initiated in July 2018 and continue to date due to the presence of Nitrosamine impurities, including N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), which are potential human carcinogens in different ARB products. Last week, AurobindoPharma USA notified that it is expanding its recall to include 38 more lots of valsartan and amlodipine/valsartan tablets due to objectionable levels of N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). This was later followed by an expanded voluntary recall of losartan potassium produced by Hetero Labs (India) when they were found to be contaminated by N-Nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA). Camber Pharmaceuticals called back 87 lots of losartan potassium tablets (25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg), 114 lots of losartan potassium or losartan potassium/hydrochlorothiazide tablets, and one lot of losartan potassium/hydrochlorothiazide tablets. Continue reading
