Olmesartan Slows Sclerosis Progression in Angina Patients

Study shows promising role for angiotensin-II receptor blocker

FRIDAY, March 5 (HealthDay News) -- Olmesartan, an angiotensin-II receptor blocker, slows the rate of coronary atheroma progression in patients with stable angina pectoris, according to a study in the March 9 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Atsushi Hirohata, M.D., of the Sakakibara Heart Institute of Okayama in Japan, and colleagues conducted a study of 247 patients with stable angina pectoris and native coronary artery disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention on culprit vessels, and, at the same time, had intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) on non-culprit vessels. The participants were then assigned to received either olmesartan (10 to 40 mg) or to a control group.

Baseline and 14-month IVUS examinations showed that percent atheroma volume and total atheroma volume changes were significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control, at 0.6 versus 5.4 percent for total atheroma volume and −0.7 versus 3.1 percent for percent atheroma volume, the researchers found.

"Patient characteristics and blood pressure control were identical between the two groups. However, follow-up IVUS showed significantly decreased total atheroma volume and percent change in percent atheroma volume change in the olmesartan group," the authors write. "These observations suggest a positive role in a potentially lower rate of coronary atheroma progression through the administration of olmesartan, for patients with stable angina pectoris."

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Related Stories

No stories found.
logo
www.healthday.com