Title: CONFUSING MESSAGES FROM GUIDELINES AND THE HYPERTENSION TREATMENT TRIALS
 1CONFUSING MESSAGES FROM GUIDELINES AND THE 
HYPERTENSION TREATMENT TRIALS 
- What and whom shall we believe?
 
  2WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN DECIDING ON THERAPY?
- CONFLICTING TRIAL RESULTS 
 -  
 
  3Is It Blood Pressure Alone That Makes The 
Difference or Specific Drugs? 
 4-  In the 
 - Verapamil in Hypertension and Atherosclerosis 
Study  -  (VHAS) 
 - Controlled Onset Verapamil Investigation of CV 
 -  Endpoints (CONVINCE) and 
 - United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study 
(UKPDS),  -  There were no differences in primary endpoints 
with  -  different medications with similar BP 
outcomes. 
  5Results of Different Levels of Blood Pressure 
Control in Hypertensive Patients with Type 2 
Diabetes B-Blocker compared with ACE 
Inhibitor-Based Treatment Program
- 8.4-year follow-up of 1148 subjects (achieved 
blood pressure of 144/82 mm Hg compared with 
154/87 mm Hg)  - Reduced risk of 
 - Stroke (44) 
 - Fatal strokes (58) 
 - Death related to diabetes (32) 
 - Heart failure (56) 
 - Fatal and nonfatal coronary heart disease events 
(21) (trend but not significant) 
-  No difference in outcome between a 
captopril-based and  -  an atenolol based treatment program
 
UKPDS . BMJ 1998317703-713 
 6Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure after 
Randomization
6083
170
Systolic
160
6035
5585
5487
150
4323
1183
140
130
95
6083
90
Diastolic
85
6035
5583
5487
4320
1183
80
75
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
N Engl J Med. 2003348(7)583-592. 
 7CV Events in Swedish Trial in Old Persons 
(Stop-2)
Conventional Rx (diuretics and B-blockers) compare
d to ACE-Is and CCBs No difference in BP 
outcomes No overall difference in EVENTS
Lancet 1999354751 
 8Some Comparative Trials Where Different 
Outcomes Were Noted with Different Medications 
 9Results of An ARB-Based (Losartan Compared to a 
B-Blocker Based (Atenolol) Treatment Program in 
Hypertensive Patients with LVH (LIFE Study)
-  Losartan Atenolol 
 Goal BPs  - Achieved BP (mm Hg) 144/82 
145/82 45-50 SBP lt140  -  89 DBP lt90 
 -  
 
-   Difference Losartan vs Atenolol 
 - Primary endpoint P Value 
 - (CV death, MI, Stroke) -13 .02 
 - Stroke -25 .001 
 - MI 07 NS 
 - CV mortality -11 NS 
 - Total mortality -10 NS 
 - New onset diabetes -25 .001 
 - Lancet 20023591004 Statistically significant 
 
  10Percentage of Type 2 Diabetic Patients with 
End-Stage Renal Disease in the RENAAL Study
30 20 10 0
Placebo
End-Stage Renal Disease ()
Losartan
 0 12 24 36 48
Months of Study
- Losartan  therapy with ARB plus other 
medications placebo  therapy with medications 
other than an ARB or ACE inhibitor. (Risk 
reduction, 28 P  0.002)  -  Brenner BM, et al. N Engl J Med 2001345865
 
  11Heart Outcomes Preventions Evaluation 
(HOPE) Study
Events
 ACE-1 (Ramipril)
Regimen that did not include an ACE-1
No. Randomized 4645 4652
 Reduction in Risk - RamiprilOther therapy
MI, Stroke, CVD 22 CV death 25 MI 20 Stroke
 31 Non-CV death 3 
(NS) All cause mortality 16
10 mg/day - 62.5 remained on Rx at 4.5 years
 New Engl J Med 11/10/99 
 12Relative Risk of Cardiovascular Mortality and 
Morbidity for ACEIs vs Calcium Antagonists 
(STOP-2 Study)
- Significant difference. 
 - Hansson L et al. Lancet. 19993541751-1756 
 
  13 In high-risk patients (HOPE, IRMA, IDNT, 
RENAAL, and LIFE), the use of an ACE-I (or an 
ARB) usually with a diuretic) reduced CV events 
more than a regimen that did not include these 
medications. 
 142003
The Antihypertensive and Lipid Lowering 
Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial 
(ALLHAT), 
 15AntihypertensiveTrial Design
- Randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical 
trial  - Determine whether occurrence of fatal CHD or 
nonfatal MI is lower for high-risk hypertensive 
patients treated with newer agents (CCB, ACEI, 
alpha-blocker) compared with a diuretic  - 42,418 high-risk hypertensive patients
 
  16Blood Pressure Differences in the ALLHAT Trial 
Diuretic compared to ACE-I SBP 4 mm Hg less 
in Blacks 3 mm Hg less in gt65 
 17Cumulative Event Rates for the Primary Outcome 
(Fatal CHD or Nonfatal MI) by ALLHAT Treatment 
Group 
Chlorthalidone Amlodipine Lisinopril 
 18Cumulative Event Rates for Stroke by 
ALLHAT Treatment Group 
Chlorthalidone Amlodipine Lisinopril 
 19Cumulative Event Rates for Heart Failure by 
ALLHAT Treatment Group 
.15
.12
Chlorthalidone Amlodipine Lisinopril
.09
Cumulative CHF Rate
.06
.03
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Years to HF 
 20ALLHAT results - No difference in fatal or non 
fatal MIs or death with a thiazide diuretic 
compared to an ACE or CCB based treatment regimen
BUT
- Fewer incidents of hospitalized/fatal episodes of 
heart failure with a diuretic than with a CCB  - Fewer strokes with a thiazide than with an ACE-1 
based treatment regimen 
(BP differences or medication?) 
 21Implications of ALLHAT
- Diuretics should be the drug of choice for first 
 -  step therapy of hypertension in most 
patients  - Most hypertensive patients require more than one 
drug. Diuretics should generally be part of the 
antihypertensive regimen.  -  BP levels were lower in diuretic treated 
patients  
  22 Second Australian National Blood Pressure 
Study (ANBP 2)
- To determine in hypertensive patients aged 65-84 
years whether there is any difference in total 
cardiovascular events (fatal and non-fatal) over 
a 5 year treatment period between treatment with 
either a diuretic-based regimen or an ACE 
inhibitor-based regimen 
  23ANBP 2 Protocol
- ACE Inhibitor Group 
 - Step 1. ACE Inhibitor 
 - Step 2. Beta or alpha blocker or calcium 
antagonist  - Step 3. Drug from class not used in Step 2 or 
diuretic  - Step 4. Drug from class not used in step 2 or 3 
 - Diuretic Group 
 - Step 1. Thiazide type diuretic 
 - Step 2. Beta or alpha blocker or calcium 
antagonist  - Step 3. Drug from class not used in Step 2 
 - Step 4. Drug from class not used in step 2 or 3
 
  24Cardiovascular Event Free Survival 
1.00
0.95
Female
0.90
0.85
0.80
0.75
Male
ACEI
DIURETIC
0.70
0.00
0
1
2
3
4
5
Years Since Randomization
ANBP2
Adjusted for age 
 25ASBP2 CONCLUSIONS
- ACEI BASED TREATMENT IS MORE EFFECTIVE IN 
REDUCING C.V. EVENTS IN MALES THAN A DIURETIC 
BASED TREATMENT REGIMEN.  - No difference in BP between groups
 
  26Valsartan Antihypertension Long-Term 
Use Evaluation Trial (VALUE)
Valsartan (V) Compared to Amlodipine (A) Based 
Regimen
No. 15,245 high risk - 4.2 years Rx V - 
80-160 mg/qd  HCTZ A - 5-10 mg  HCTZ
Results CARDIAC ENDPOINTS - NO DIFFERENCE MI 
 25.8 lower with (A) 
(S) Heart failure 12.7 greater with 
(A) (NS) Stroke 17.1 lower 
with (A) (NS) 
 27VALUE Systolic Blood Pressure in Study
Sitting SBP by Time and Treatment Group
155
Valsartan (N 7649)
Amlodipine (N  7596)
150
mmHg
145
140
135
1
24
48
2
3
4
6
12
18
30
36
42
54
60
66
Baseline
Months
(or final visit)
Difference in SBP Between Valsartan and Amlodipine
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
mmHg
1.0
0
1
24
48
2
3
4
6
12
18
30
36
42
54
60
66
1.0
Months
(or final visit)
Julius S et al. Lancet. June 2004363. 
 28Primary Composite Endpointsin Value Study 
 29- In the VALUE trial 
 - MIs were lower in amlodipine compared to 
 -  Valsartan-based treatment groups 
 - BP control better with Amlodipine 
 - Differences in BP 4/2 mm Hg at 6 mos. 
 -  1.5/1.3 mm Hg at 1 
year  - Did the differences in BP or specific treatments 
 - determine the outcome? 
 
  30Serial matching BPs
- Statistical maneuvers to demonstrate that the BP 
differences did not account for the difference in 
outcome 
VALUE study 
 31Valsartan Antihypertension Long-Term 
Use Evaluation Trial (VALUE)
1) Early control of BP appears to make a 
difference in outcome 2) New onset 
diabetes is less common with an ARB than a 
CCB-based treatment regimen (13.1 compared 
to 16.4) 
 32 ASCOT Trial Baseline 19
,339 patients - 77 men 95 white - age 63 yrs 
- 27 diabetics BP 164/94 mm Hg  3 other 
risk factors 80 on 1 or 2 medications prior to 
study
Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial, 
Lancet 2005366895 
 33ASCOT Trial
BP Targets lt140/90 m Hg or lt130/80 mm Hg in 
Patients with Diabetes
Unblinded - Probe Design
Amlodipine 5-10 mg
Atenolol 50-100 mg
add
add
Bendroflumethiazide-K 1.25 - 2.5 mg
Perindopril 4-8 mg
add
Doxazosin 4-8 mg
 Other medications
 More than 50 in each group were on 2 or 
more medications 26 crossed over to other 
study drugs 40 used Rx not prescribed by 
investigators
Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial, 
Lancet 2005366895 
 34ASCOT Trial
Primary Objectives
To compare the effect on non-fatal myocardial 
infarction (MI) and fatal CHD of an 
antihypertensive regimen based on a B-blocker /- 
diuretic with a regime based on a CCB /- an ACE 
inhibitor
Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial, 
Lancet 2005366895 
 35- In the ASCOT Trial No difference in primary 
outcome BUT  - A CCB/ACE-I regimen reduced mortality, MIs and 
 -  strokes more than a B-blocker/diuretic based 
 -  regimen 
 -  BP control better with CCB/ACE-I, especially 1st 
 -  few months 5.9/2.1 mm Hg at 3 mos. 
 - Mean trial differences 2.9/1.8 mm Hg 
 - Did the differences in BP or specific treatments 
 - determine the outcome?
 
  36ASCOT Trial
Conclusions Benefits seem to be somewhat 
greater than might be anticipated from the 
observed difference in BP. Cost analyses - 
fairly small absolute benefits associated with 
A/P regimen Findings are generalizable to 
most hypertensive patients?
Are these consistent with the data?
Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial, 
Lancet 2005366895 
 37Should conclusions of a clinical trial be based 
on results of primary or secondary 
outcomes? How much statistical manipulation is 
acceptable to prove a point? 
 38ASCOT Trial
Report failed to reference or mention ALLHAT, 
SHEP or STOP-2 studies where results were 
somewhat different 
Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial, 
Lancet 2005366895 
 39Conflicting Data
1. ALLHAT (favors a diuretic) 2. ASNBP-2 (favors 
an ACE-I) 3. STOP-2 (equal outcomes B-BL/D vs 
CCB or ACE-I) 4. ASCOT (different outcomes 
CCB/ACE-I vs B-BL/D) 5.VALUE (CCB reduces MI 
events more than an ARB)
Are there explanations for these differences? 
 40- ALLHAT Critics 
 - Wrong add-on drugs 
 - Demographics favored diuretics 
 - Should have adhered to primary outcome results 
 - BP differences accounted for difference in outcome
 
ASCOT Wrong comparator medications? Secondary 
analyses for conclusions? Are these 
generalizable results? 
VALUE - ASCOT Statistical manipulations to 
demonstrate that BP differences did not explain 
different results  
 41BP-Lowering Treatment Trialists
Stroke
CHD
1.50
1.25
1.00
RR of Outcome Event
RR of Outcome Event
0.75
0.50
0.25
Systolic BP Difference Between Randomized Groups 
(mm Hg)
Systolic BP Difference Between Randomized Groups 
(mm Hg)
 Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists 
Collaboration. Lancet. 20033621527-1535. 
 42THE BOTTOM LINE
- WHILE THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS OF 
THE RESULTS OF THE TRIALS, THE OVERRIDING MESSAGE 
IS TO GET THE BP TO GOAL.  - THIS USUALLY REQUIRES MORE THAN ONE MEDICATION! 
 
  43- . WHILE THERE MAY BE REASONS TO USE SPECIFIC 
DRUGS, MOST OF THE BENEFIT REPORTED IN THE 
CLINICAL TRIALS RESULTED FROM BP LOWERING. TRIAL 
RESULTS ARE,THEREFORE, NOT REALLY CONFUSING.  
  44Monotherapy
- Antihypertensive monotherapy is effective in only 
about 40-60 of hypertensive patients, 
irrespective of the category of the agent that is 
used. Most of the responders are Stage I 
hypertensives. Therefore, there is frequently a 
need for the use of two medications with 
different mechanisms of action.Should therapy be 
started with two drugs or a combination? 
  45The concept of combination therapy is not new. 
 Every major hypertension treatment trial has 
been a study of multiple drug therapy. This was 
necessary to achieve goal BP 
 46Multiple Drug Therapy in the Clinical Trials
SHEP - only 46 on diuretic alone LIFE 
 gt 85 on multiple drugs UKPDS - 29 in tight 
BP group on 3 or more drugs 
compared to 11 in less tight BP group MDRD, - 
ABCD, - AASK, - IDNT, - HOT, ASCOT 2-3 
medications necessary to attain goal BP 
 47Causes of Resistance to Antihypertensive Drug 
Therapy
Drug-related causes
- Doses too low 
 - Therapy does not include a diuretic 
 - Inappropriate combinations 
 - Drug interactions
 
  48Drug-related Causes of Resistance
Drug Interaction 1 
5
6
9
Suboptimal
54
Drug-related
5
Medication
58
Regimen
1
94 
3
16
Objective Medication Intolerance 
 49There are physiologic, psychologic and practical 
reasons for the use of combination therapy in 
hypertensive patients. 
 50 Physiologic Reasons for Combination Drug 
Therapy
1) Different pathways that control BP are 
affected 2) Each compound may potentially 
neutralize mechanisms activated by the other 
 51BP Control Rates with Low-dose Beta-blocker 
/Diuretic Combination Compared to Monotherapy 
with Other Agents
 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Patients with DBP lt90 mmHg ()
-  Placebo Bisoprolol/ Amlodipine Enalapril 
 -  N78 HCTZ N82 N84 
 -  N77
 
 P.0001 vs Placebo  P.075 vs 
Amlodipine P.0001 vs Enalapril Cardiovascular 
Rev Rep. 1996171-9. 
 52Effect of Losartan or Losartan/HCTZ on Blood 
Pressure in African American Patients
SiSBP SiDBP
 P 0.01 vs placebo  P 0.01 vs losartan
Clin Ther. 2001231193-1208. 
 53ACE Inhibitor/Diuretic Combination Therapy 
Racial Differences in Response
 (n66) (n110) (n97) (n92) (n41) (n49)
0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25
- 6.8
-11.8
-14.3
-14.6
-21
-21.7
Black Nonblack
 Enalapril HCTZ Enalapril/HCTZ 10mg BID 25 mg 
BID 10/25 mg BID
Vidt. J Hypertens. 19842(suppl 2)81-88 
 54ACE Inhibitor/Ca-Blocker Combination
Benazepril 10 mg/ Amlodipine 2.5 mg Amlodipine 
2.5 mg Benazepril 10 mg Placebo
62
41
38
19
0 
 50
100
Response Rate ()
Supine DBP lt90 mm Hg or 10 mm Hg decrease
Frishman WH et al. J Clin Pharmacol 1995351060-6 
 55Stroke Risk ReductionACE/diuretic treated 
patients compared to patients on other 
medications
28 risk reduction
0.20 0.15 0.10 0.05 0.00
P lt0.0001
Medications other than ACE/diuretic
ACE-I
ACE/diuretic
Proportion with event  
Mean BP difference -9.0 mm Hg (active vs placebo 
 -4.0
(Years)
0
1
2
3
4
Lancet 2001 358 1033-41 - PROGRESS Study 
 56Lower Blood Pressure Goals
Lower Treatment Goals Reduces the Success of 
Monotherapy
Hansson et al. Lancet 1998 3511755-1762 
 57Algorithm for Drug Treatment of Hypertension
Initial Drug Choices
Without Specific or Compelling Indications
Stage 2 Hypertension (SBP gt160 or DBP gt100 mmHg) 
2-drug combination for most
Stage 1 Hypertension (SBP 140159 or DBP 9099 
mmHg) Thiazide-type diuretics for most -May 
consider other medications or combination.
Combination therapy may also be appropriate 
initial therapy in patients with diabetes or 
renal disease
JNC 7 
 58Why not use 2 different Medications instead 
of A one-pill combination? 
 59- In Stage II or potentially resistant or 
difficult-to-treat  - hypertensives, a fixed dose combination rather 
than 2  - individual medications will help to 
 -  achieve goal BP faster than sequential or add-on 
  -  monotherapy 
 -  reduce the number of pills necessary 
 -  change the patients perception of their illness 
 -  possibly reduce cost - fewer visits for titration
 
  60(No Transcript) 
 61Conclusion Until more consistent and definitive 
data on the significance of new onset diabetes 
(NOD) are available, achieving goal blood 
pressures should be the overriding objective of 
treatment NOD should be a secondary concern 
 62JNC 7 Key Messages
- If BP is gt160/100 mmHg, therapy should probably 
be started with two medications, one of which 
should be a thiazide-type diuretic 
  63Message to Health Care Providers
Recent data suggest that therapy with 
 combinations of 2 different medications in 
 lower doses is more effective than higher dose 
monotherapy A further decrease in 
hypertension-related morbidity and mortality will 
be achieved if more patients are treated to BP 
levels lt140/90 mm Hg 
 64(No Transcript) 
 65Risk of Diabetes among 3804 Hypertensive 
Patients with Various Antihypertensive 
Medications
 Rx Hazard Ratio None 1.0 ACEI 0.
9 B-Blocker 1.25 CCB 1.17 Thiazides 
 0.95
  adjusted for age, race, BMI, CV risk factors, 
etc.  significant difference
Gress, et al. NEJM 2000342905-12 
 66Cardiovascular Events inTreated Hypertensive 
Subjects
4.70
3.90
 Rate of events (per 100 patient years)
.97
Total number of CV events - 63
Verdecchia, Hypertens 200443963-968 
 67Prognostic Significance of New Diabetes in 
Treated Hypertensive Subjects
-  At entry and at 3 year follow-up 
non  -  diabetic patients who developed diabetes 
had  - higher SBP and DBP 
 - more LVH 
 - higher glucose levels 
 - 42 vs 6 who developed NOD had IFG 
 
Greater baseline risk more diabetes 
more events
Verdeccia, Hypertens 200443963-968 
(observational cohort study) 
 68SHEP Study Follow-Up
Diuretic Rx in patients with diabetes - lower 
long-term CV mortality than placebo patients
Subjects who had diabetes associated with 
chlorthalidone did not have a significant 
increase in CV mortality and had a better 
prognosis than did those who had preexisting 
diabetes.
Kostis, et al. Am J Card 20059529-35 
 69Intensive control of blood pressure reduces 
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in 
diabetic patients regardless of whether low- 
dose diuretics, B-blockers, angiotensin- 
converting enzyme inhibitors, or calcium 
antagonists are used as first-line treatment.
Grossman, MesserliArch Intern Med 
2000?602447-2452 
 70Morbidity and Mortality in Diabetic and 
Nondiabetic Subjects in the Systolic Hypertension 
in the Elderly Program
Reduction in risk () in treated compared with 
placebo groups
Diabetics (283)
Nondiabetics (2080)
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Fatal or nonfatal MI, SCD, CABG, or angioplasty
All-cause mortality
Nonfatal and fatal MI
Therapy low-dose diuretic with B-blocker added 
if necessary n  4736 subjects gt60 years of age
Curb KD. et al. JAMA 19962761886-1892 
 71Cardiovascular Events in Diabetics in the 
Hypertension Optimal Treatment Study
CV Events/1000 Patient-Years
Major CV Events
Myocardial Infarctions
CV Mortality
CV events were reduced to a greater degree in 
diabetics who achieved the lowest levels of 
diastolic blood pressure Hansson L, et al. 
Lancet 19983511755-1762 
 72ALLHAT
Changes in serum glucose did not translate into 
more CV events in chlorthalidone group Patients 
on doxazosin lower levels of serum glucose 
than chlorthalidone more CV events 
 73CV Events in Treated Hypertensive Diabetics 
Does Specific Therapy Make A Difference? 
 74Many clinical trial results demonstrate that
- Fewer cases of new onset diabetes occur if an ACE 
or an ARB is included in therapy  - Diabetic patients, especially those with 
proteinuria, have a better outcome if an ACE or 
an ARB rather than a CCB is included in therapy 
IDNT, RENAAL, LIFE, HOPE, CAPPP, AASK, VALUE, 
ALLHAT 
 75(No Transcript) 
 76(No Transcript) 
 77Combination versus Monotherapy
Risk Reduction ( 95CI )
Favors active
Favors placebo 
-  Stroke 
 -  Combination 43 
 -  Single Drug 
 5 (-19 to 23)  -  Total Stroke 28 
 
0.4
1.0
2.0
Hazard Ratio 
PROGESS Study 
 78Combination Therapy
- In the LIFE trial treatment to goal was 
aggressively pursued  - 90 of patients required multiple medications
 
  79 Options to Treat A Patient Not at Goal with 
Monotherapy
- Increase the starting dose 
 -  Possibly Increase dose-related adverse events 
 - Substitute another medication 
 -  Increases time to get patient to goal 
 - Use a combination of 2 medications 
 -  Complementary mechanism of action 
 -  Lower doses of each medication 
 -  May lessen dose-dependent side effects
 
Shorten time to goal BPs - Increase response 
rates
Moser M, Black H. Am J Hypertens 19981173S-78S 
 80Benefits of Lowering BP by 
 Average Percent Reduction Stroke incidence 
 3540 Myocardial infarction 2025 
 Heart failure 50 
 81 Options to Treat A Patient Not at Goal with 
Monotherapy
- Increase the starting dose 
 -  
 - Substitute another medication 
 -  
 - Use a combination of 2 medications 
 -  
 -  
 
Moser M, Black H. Am J Hypertens 19981173S-78S 
 82(No Transcript) 
 83Time of Day of 1 End Point
76 of events had known time
COER-v Standard of Care
No significant difference in time of day of event 
 84(No Transcript) 
 85Blood Pressure Control Reduces Cardiovascular End 
Points in Diabetic Subgroup of HOT
51 RR
P  0.005
Hansson L, et al. Lancet. 19983511755-1762 
 86Primary Result - Females
ACEI better
Diuretic better
0.2
1.0
 5.0
Hazard Ratio (95 CI) p
All CV Events or Any Death
1.00 (0.83,1.21) 0.98
First CV Event or Any Death
1.00 (0.83,1.20) 0.98
Any Death
1.01 (0.76,1.35) 0.94
ANBP2
All events 
 87Primary Result
ACEI better
Diuretic better
0.2
1.0
 5.0
Hazard Ratio (95 CI) p
All CV Events or Any Death
0.89 (0.79,1.00) 0.05
First CV Event or Any Death
0.89 (0.79,1.01) 0.06
Any Death
0.90 (0.75,1.09) 0.27
ANBP2 
 88Significant Clinical Outcomes in the ALLHAT 
Amlodipine vs Chlorthalidone Lisinopril vs 
Chlorthalidone RR P 
Value RR P Value Primary Outcome 0.98 NS 
0.99 0.81 CHD NS 
NS Secondary Outcomes Combined CVD NS 
 NS ESRD NS NS All-cause 
mortality NS 
 NS Stroke NS 
1.15 0.02 Combined CVD 
1.00 0.04 1.10 lt0.001 Heart 
failure 1.36 
lt0.001 1.19 lt0.001 Hospitalized
/ fatal heart failure 1.35 
 lt0.001 NS Angina (hospitalized 
 or treated) NS 1.11 
0.01
Significant difference 
 89Possible Advantages of Low-Dose Combination 
Therapy Compared to High-Dose Monotherapy
- Blood pressure response is greater 
 - Percentage of responders is higher 
 - Side effects may be less 
 - Titration to effective dose is simplified- Goal 
BP achieved sooner  - Adherence is improved
 
  90Results of Tight Blood Pressure Control Compared 
with Less-Tight BP Control in the UKPDS Study
Risk Reduction ()
Any diabetes related end- point
Diabetes related death
Stroke
Micro vascular endpoints
Retinopathy progression
Deterior- ation of vision
Heart failure
BMJ 1998317703-713 
 91Swedish Trial in Old Persons (STOP-2)
- 46 were on more than one medication 
 - 62 remained on conventional Rx (Diuretics 
and B-blockers)  - 61 were on ACE 
 - 66 were on CCBs
 
Lancet 1999354751 
 92LIFE Study 1195 Diabetics
24
25 Risk Reduction p0031
-  of patients 
 - with 1st event 
 -  MI 
 -  stroke 
 -  death 
 
12
0
0
12
24
36
48
60
Study Month
L Lindholm et al. Lancet, March 23, 2002. 
 93VALUE Analysis of Results Based on BP Control 
at 6 Months
Pooled Treatment Groups
Odds Ratio
Fatal/Non-fatal cardiac events
0.75 (0.670.83)
Fatal/Non-fatal stroke
0.55 (0.460.64)
All-cause death
0.79 (0.710.88)
Myocardial infarction
0.86 (0.731.01)
Heart failure hospitalizations
0.64 (0.550.74)
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
Controlled patients (n  10755)
Non-controlled patients (n  4490)
Hazard Ratio 95 CI
SBP lt 140 mmHg at 6 months.
P lt 0.01.
Weber MA et al. Lancet. 2004363204749. 
 94Suggested Approaches for Initiation of 
Pharmacologic Therapy
Low Risk
- Male lt55 years of age 
 - Female lt65 years of age 
 - Stage 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99 mm Hg) 
 -  with no other risk factors
 
Lifestyle modifications for 3 to 4 months
If BP gt140/90 mm Hg, begin medicaton
Risk factors include male gt55, female gt65, 
diabetes, smoking history, hyperlipidemia, target 
 organ involvement, or obesity  
 95Suggested Approaches for Initiation of 
Pharmacologic Therapy
Medium Risk
Stage 1 hypertension with one other risk factor
Lifestyle modifications for 2 to 3 months
If BP gt140/90 mm Hg, begin medication
Risk factors include male gt55, female gt65, 
diabetes, smoking history, hyperlipidemia, 
target organ involvement, or obesity 
 96Suggested Approaches for Initiation of 
Pharmacologic Therapy 
High Risk
- BP gt140/90 mm Hg with evidence of CVdisease 
 -  and/or diabetes, with/without other risk 
factors  - Stage 2 hypertension 
 - Stage 1 or 2 hypertension with at least three 
other risk factors 
Lifestyle modifications and medication
Risk factors include male gt55, female gt65, 
diabetes, smoking history, hyperlipidemia, 
target organ involvement, or obesity  
 97ALLHAT
-  Thiazide diuretics - associated with increase 
 -  in serum glucose of approximately 3-5 mg/dL 
 -  
 -  For diabetic patients there was no advantage 
 -  to the use of lisinopril and no detrimental 
 -  effect of amlodipine on CVD outcome or end 
 -  stage renal disease compared to chlorthalidone
 
Annals Intern Med 2004141 
 98ASCOT Trial
Assumption Although lowering of blood pressure 
with diuretics  B-blockers was associated with 
a significant decrease in CHD events, these were 
less than expected from prospective 10-15 year 
observational studies.
Long-term follow-up data from HDFP and SHEP 
 are not consistent with this assumption
Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial, 
Lancet 2005366895 
 99-  ASCOT Trial 
 - No significant difference in primary outcome 
(fatal  non fatal  -  non fatal MI) between groups but CCB/ACE-I 
significantly reduced secondary endpoints, i.e., 
total CHD and CV events including strokes 
compared to BBL/D  - BP control better with CCB/ACE-I, especially 1st 
few months (differences 5.9/2.1 mm Hg 
at 3 months)  - Mean trial differences 2.7/1.9 mm Hg between 
therapies  - Did the differences in BP or specific treatments 
determine the outcome? 
Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial, 
Lancet 2005366895