Blood pressure reduction and control with fixed-dose combination perindopril/amlodipine: A Pan-Hellenic prospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Hypertension guidelines recommend fixed-dose combinations for enhanced blood pressure (BP) reduction and compliance. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of fixed-dose perindopril/amlodipine combination in reducing and controlling BP in Greek hypertensive patients, as well as the effect of baseline BP and added cardiovascular risk on BP reduction. METHODS: This 6-month prospective observational study included male or female patients ⩾18 years with essential hypertension prescribed fixed-dose combination perindopril/amlodipine. BP was measured at baseline and 3 and 6 months. Baseline cardiovascular risk and treatment compliance were also assessed. RESULTS: In 2231 per protocol patients, mean systolic BP decreased from 157.0±15.4 mm Hg to 129.0±7.9 mm Hg after 6 months, and diastolic BP from 91.5±10.1 to 78.8±6.7 mm Hg (both p < 0.001). BP control was achieved in 84.8% at 6 months. Patients with higher baseline added cardiovascular risk or BP had greater BP reduction (p < 0.001). Compliance was good (97.1% took treatment "every day" or "quite often") and few (n = 27; 1.2%) discontinued treatment prematurely due to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed-dose perindopril/amlodipine safely and effectively reduced high BP in real-life practice, achieving BP control in most patients. About half of Greek hypertensive patients have high/very high added cardiovascular risk.

Treatment of Stable Angina Pectoris With Ivabradine in Everyday Practice: A Pan-Hellenic, Prospective, Noninterventional Study.

INTRODUCTION: In coronary artery disease (CAD), medical treatment is the main clinical strategy for controlling ischemia and angina symptoms while restoring a satisfactory level of usual activities and improving quality of life (QOL). This study's purpose was to evaluate in CAD patients the antianginal efficacy of 4-month treatment with ivabradine plus a ß-blocker and to record patient compliance and the effect of treatment on QOL. METHODS: In this noninterventional study, 2403 patients with chronic stable angina were prospectively studied from 245 private cardiology offices. Data were recorded at baseline and at 1 and 4 months after inclusion. Patient quality of life was assessed using the EuroQol 5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire. RESULTS: From baseline to study completion, mean heart rate decreased from 81.5 ± 9.7 bpm to 63.9 ± 6.0 bpm (P <-0.001), mean number of anginal attacks decreased from 2.0 ± 2.0 times/wk to 0.2 ± 0.6 times/wk (P < 0.001) and nitroglycerin consumption decreased from 1.4 ± 2.0 times/wk to 0.1 ± 0.4 times/wk (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society angina class I increased from approximately 38% (baseline) to 84% (study completion; P < 0.001). The reduction in anginal attacks, nitroglycerin consumption, and angina score was correlated with reduction in heart rate (P < 0.001). The mean EQ-5D visual analogue scale index increased by 16.1 points (P < 0.001), and compliance with treatment was high throughout the trial (96%). CONCLUSIONS: Ivabradine administration on top of optimal individualized dose of ß-blockers is associated with decreased anginal events and with improvement of QOL in CAD patients.