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Hypertension

KYOTO and JIKEI HEART analyses show benefit of valsartan in Japanese hypertensive patients

Sep 1, 2010 10:45 EDT

Adding valsartan to therapy in high-risk hypertensive patients reduced the risk of cardiovascular events more than conventional non-ARB treatment in both the primary- and secondary-prevention setting, according to an analysis from KYOTO HEART, while JIKEI HEART investigators suggest a benefit with valsartan in coronary artery disease patients.

Stockholm, Sweden - The addition of the angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan (Diovan, Novartis) to therapy in high-risk hypertensive patients reduced the risk of cardiovascular events more than conventional non-ARB treatment in both the primary- and secondary-prevention setting, according to the results of a new analysis.

The data, from an analysis of the KYOTO HEART study, showed that valsartan reduced the risk of the primary end point, a composite of hard and soft cardiovascular end points, 56% in primary-prevention patients and 37% in secondary-prevention patients, when compared with non-ARB treatment. There was no significant difference in blood pressure in the two treatment arms, suggesting, like the overall trial, the benefit is not derived from any antihypertensive effects.
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