Our analyses found no evidence of a difference in total mortality or cardiovascular outcomes for ARBs as compared with ACE inhibitors , while ARBs caused slightly fewer WDAEs than ACE inhibitors .
Although ACE inhibitors have shown efficacy in these outcomes over placebo , our results can not be used to extrapolate the same conclusion for ARBs directly , which have not been studied in placebo-controlled trials for hypertension .
BACKGROUND Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors ( ACE inhibitors ) and angiotensin receptor blockers ( ARBs ) are widely prescribed for primary hypertension ( systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg ) .
However , while ACE inhibitors have been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity in placebo-controlled trials , ARBs have not .
Therefore , a comparison of the efficacies of these two drug classes in primary hypertension for preventing total mortality and cardiovascular events is important .
OBJECTIVES To compare the effects of ACE inhibitors and ARBs on total mortality and cardiovascular events , and their rates of withdrawals due to adverse effects ( WDAEs ) , in people with primary hypertension .
Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics of 2 large, simple, randomized trials evaluating telmisartan, ramipril, and their combination in high-risk patients: the Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial/Telmisartan Randomized Assessment Study in ACE Int
BACKGROUND Angiotensin-converting enzyme ( ACE ) inhibitors reduce mortality , myocardial infa rct ion , stroke , heart failure , need for revascularization , nephropathy , and diabetes and its complications . Although angiotensin-II receptor blockers ( ARBs ) have been less extensively evaluated , theoretically they may have " protective " effects similar to those of ACE inhibitors , but with better tolerability . Currently , there is uncertainty about the role of ARBs when used alone or in combination with an ACE inhibitor in high-risk population s with controlled hypertension . OBJECTIVES Primary objectives of the ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial ( ONTARGET ) are to determine if the combination of the ARB telmisartan and the ACE inhibitor ramipril is more effective than ramipril alone , and if telmisartan is at least as effective as ramipril . The Telmisartan R and omized AssessmeNt Study in aCE iNtolerant subjects with cardiovascular Disease ( TRANSCEND ) will determine if telmisartan is superior to placebo in patients who are intolerant of ACE inhibitors . The primary outcome for both trials is the composite of cardiovascular death , myocardial infa rct ion , stroke , or hospitalization for heart failure . METHOD High-risk patients with coronary , peripheral , or cerebrovascular disease or diabetes with end-organ damage are being recruited and followed for 3.5 to 5.5 years in 2 parallel , r and omized , double-blind clinical trials . PROGRESS Recruitment from 730 centers in 40 countries for ONTARGET ( n = 25,620 ) was completed in July 2003 . For TRANSCEND , 5776 patients ( out of a projected total of 6000 ) have been recruited ( by May 10 , 2004 ) . Baseline patient characteristics are comparable to the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation ( HOPE ) trial , the basis of the design of the current study , confirming that patients are at high-risk
Our analyses found no evidence of a difference in total mortality or cardiovascular outcomes for ARBs as compared with ACE inhibitors , while ARBs caused slightly fewer WDAEs than ACE inhibitors .
Although ACE inhibitors have shown efficacy in these outcomes over placebo , our results can not be used to extrapolate the same conclusion for ARBs directly , which have not been studied in placebo-controlled trials for hypertension .
BACKGROUND Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors ( ACE inhibitors ) and angiotensin receptor blockers ( ARBs ) are widely prescribed for primary hypertension ( systolic blood pressure > 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure > 90 mmHg ) .
However , while ACE inhibitors have been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity in placebo-controlled trials , ARBs have not .
Therefore , a comparison of the efficacies of these two drug classes in primary hypertension for preventing total mortality and cardiovascular events is important .
OBJECTIVES To compare the effects of ACE inhibitors and ARBs on total mortality and cardiovascular events , and their rates of withdrawals due to adverse effects ( WDAEs ) , in people with primary hypertension .