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Data presented yesterday at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Barcelona, Spain, demonstrated that the addition of the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) Diovan (valsartan) to a non-ARB-based treatment regimen for high blood pressure provided a significant 45% relative reduction in cardiovascular events.
A total of 3,042 Japanese patients with high blood pressure uncontrolled on a previous non-ARB-based regimen and with one or more pre-defined cardiovascular risk factors (eg, existing diabetes or obesity, current smoking habit, or a history of cardiovascular disease) took part in the study.
“The KYOTO HEART study confirms that valsartan can significantly reduce the incidence of the composite of heart, brain and vascular complications in patients at high risk of cardiovascular events, independent of its blood pressure-lowering efficacy,” said Hiroaki Matsubara, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan and Principal Investigator of the KYOTO HEART study.
“In addition, the study also confirms that the numerous benefits of blockade of the renin angiotensin system extend to East Asian patients.”
The study participants were randomised to receive either Diovan add-on therapy or a non-ARB-based regimen, with dose increases and add-on therapies allowed in both arms to achieve optimal blood pressure-lowering efficacy. The primary study endpoint was a composite of defined cardio- and cerebrovascular events including stroke, myocardial infarction, and hospitalisation for heart failure or angina.
The results from KYOTO HEART extend the existing wealth of evidence from multiple studies and patient populations of the clinical utility of Diovan, which remains the only ARB indicated in Europe and the US for post-myocardial infarction and heart failure patients, in addition to its proven blood pressure-lowering efficacy.
