NutritionNew Data Confirm That Diovan(R) And Valsartan-Based Combinations Offer Patients Sustained, 24-hr BP-lowering Efficacy
Data presented at the 19th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) confirm that Diovan® (valsartan) and valsartan-based combinations deliver sustained, 24-hr blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy2-6.
Studies have suggested that the relative risks of acute myocardial infarction, stroke and sudden cardiac death are 40%, 49% and 29% higher, respectively, when the period between 6 a.m. and noon is compared to the rest of the day1. Increases in heart rate and BP are known to occur as a person awakens from sleep; the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is also activated, possibly contributing to the morning BP rise1.
"Blood pressure evaluation over 24 hours, as measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, is an accurate and important way to assess the effectiveness of an antihypertensive therapy," said Professor Rainer DÃÜsing, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Bonn, Germany. "If we can reduce and control blood pressure, and minimize the early-morning blood pressure surge in patients at high cardiovascular risk, we may have a better chance of improving patient outcomes."
Results from five separate studies presented at ESH (EVALUATE2, VITAE3, EXPERT4, VALOROUS5 and "Study 2302"6) confirm that Diovan®, Co-Diovan® (valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide [HCT]), Exforge® (valsartan/amlodipine) and
Exforge HCT® (valsartan/amlodipine/HCT) effectively reduce BP over the full 24-hour period. In addition, valsartan-based triple therapy was associated with greater reductions in ambulatory BP throughout the 24-hour period, when compared to respective dual combinations6. Exforge HCT was approved in the United States in April 2009 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for second-line treatment of hypertension7, and is currently undergoing regulatory review in the European Union.
Study Highlights:
- Results from the EVALUATE2 study, involving 482 patients with Stage 2 hypertension (JNC 7), demonstrated that Co-Diovan provided significantly greater reductions at the end of the study in both daytime and night-time mean ambulatory BP (ABP) than the combination of amlodipine/HCT (pð‰¤0.05). In addition, significantly more patients achieved ABP goal (125/80 mmHg over 30-hour ABPM reading), whether it was administered in the morning or in the evening (-11.5 ± 10 and
-10.2 ± 9 mmHg, respectively; both pReferences
1. White WB. Importance of blood pressure control over a 24-hour period. J Manag Care Pharm 2007;13(8 Suppl B):34-9.
2. Black HR, et al. Comparison of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure response with combination of valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide and amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide in patients with stage 2 hypertension. 19th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension, June 14, 2009; Abstract No. 1168. Updated information presented at meeting.
3. Raij L, et al. Combination of valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide provides improved 24-hour blood pressure response compared with amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide in prediabetic, obese, hypertensive patients. 19th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension, June 14, 2009; Abstract No. 1170. Updated information presented at meeting.
4. Asmar R, et al. Efficacy on blood pressure control, in essential hypertensive patients uncontrolled with amlodipine 5 mg of an amlodipine / valsartan combination: ExPERT Study. 19th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension, June 13, 2009; Abstract No. 714.
5. Palatini P, et al. The 24 hour blood pressure lowering efficacy of morning versus evening administration of valsartan compared to lisinopril based therapy in patients with hypertension. 19th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension, June 14, 2009; Abstract No. 907. Updated information presented at meeting.
6. Lacourciere Y, et al. Twenty-four hour ambulatory BP control of therapy with amlodipine/valsartan/HCTZ triple combination compared to dual therapy in patients with moderate to severe hypertension. 19th Scientific Meeting of the European Society of Hypertension, June 14, 2009; Abstract No. 1412. Updated information presented at meeting.
7. IMS MIDAS sales data, May 2009.
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