Diuretics are preferred first-line over CCBs to optimize reduction of cardiovascular events .
The review does not distinguish between CCBs , ACE inhibitors or ARBs , but does provide evidence supporting the use of CCBs over beta-blockers .
BACKGROUND Calcium channel blockers ( CCBs ) are a relatively new antihypertensive class .
The effect of first-line CCBs on the prevention of cardiovascular events , as compared with other antihypertensive drug classes , is unknown .
OBJECTIVES To determine whether CCBs used as first-line therapy for hypertension are different from other first-line drug classes in reducing the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events .
Multicenter isradipine diuretic atherosclerosis study (MIDAS). Design features. The Midas Research Group.
The Multicenter Isradipine Diuretic Atherosclerosis Study is a r and omized , double-blind , clinical trial design ed to compare the effectiveness of isradipine against hydrochlorothiazide in retarding the rate of progression of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries of hypertensive subjects . Eight hundred hypertensive men and women , 40 years of age or older , with minor plaques , are being recruited at eight clinical centers in the United States and will be followed for three years . Quantification of the atherosclerotic lesions at baseline and semiannually is done using B-mode ultrasonography . The background of the trial and its design features are discussed
Diuretics are preferred first-line over CCBs to optimize reduction of cardiovascular events .
The review does not distinguish between CCBs , ACE inhibitors or ARBs , but does provide evidence supporting the use of CCBs over beta-blockers .
BACKGROUND Calcium channel blockers ( CCBs ) are a relatively new antihypertensive class .
The effect of first-line CCBs on the prevention of cardiovascular events , as compared with other antihypertensive drug classes , is unknown .
OBJECTIVES To determine whether CCBs used as first-line therapy for hypertension are different from other first-line drug classes in reducing the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events .