Optimizing the treatment of hypertension and stable coronary artery disease: clinical evidence for fixed-combination perindopril/amlodipine.

BACKGROUND

Optimized management of hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) improves cardiovascular risk and outcomes, and prevents complications. This article reviews evidence for the fixed combination of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor perindopril and the calcium channel blocker amlodipine.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE to identify articles published in English between 1988 and March 2008 describing clinical trials, particularly outcome trials, or mechanisms of therapeutic action relevant to the use of combination therapy in patients with hypertension or stable coronary artery disease with an ACE inhibitor (perindopril) and a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine).

FINDINGS

Clinical trials indicate that this combination may have a positive impact on cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in hypertensive individuals. The two complementary mechanisms of action appear to work in synergy, leading to more efficient blood pressure lowering, improved fibrinolytic function, and reduction of secondary effects. This also represents a simplified management strategy for stable CAD. Perindopril has proven efficacy in the prevention of cardiovascular events and mortality in CAD patients, while amlodipine is widely used in the symptomatic management of CAD. Both aspects of guideline-recommended management of CAD are therefore addressed in a single tablet.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical evidence for fixed-combination perindopril/amlodipine indicates it as a credible option for the optimization of the management of hypertension and CAD.