Why the study?
Does valsartan improve prognosis and prevent cardiovascular complications beyond blood pressure control in hypertensive patients compared to ACE inhibitors?
Does valsartan improve prognosis and prevent cardiovascular complications beyond blood pressure control in hypertensive patients compared to ACE inhibitors?
Valsartan offers an effective and well-tolerated alternative to ACE inhibitors for hypertension, with anticipated benefits for cardiovascular prognosis pending large clinical trials.
May support valsartan as a tolerable alternative to ACE inhibitors in hypertension; leaves open effects on cardiovascular prognosis beyond blood pressure reduction.
Patients treated for hypertension are still at significantly elevated risk for cardiovascular complications when compared with normotensive patients, even when on antihypertensive therapy. In all fairness though, a majority of these patients have uncontrolled blood pressure. Blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) prevents or reverses cardiac remodelling and improves prognosis in cardiovascular disease beyond the effects on blood pressure (BP). Valsartan acts by selectively blocking the AT1-receptor and shows similar efficacy and improved tolerability compared with ACE inhibitors. This drug may provide additional benefits in controlling the cardiovascular complications of hypertension. Results of large clinical trials with valsartan, such as VALUE, Val-HEFT, VALIANT and ABCD-2V, are eagerly awaited.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Björn Dahlöf (2000) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: