[The FORTISSIMO program: advantages of fixed full dose combination of perindopril arginine and indapamide in the treatment of poorly controlled arterial hypertension].

In the Russian program FORTISSIMO administration of fixed combination of perindopril arginine/indapamide (10 mg/2.5 mg) in 2120 patients with poorly controlled arterial hypertension instead of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or -receptor antagonists (ARB) with hydrochlorothiazide given separately or in fixed combinations resulted in significant lowering of arterial pressure (AP) and achievement of its target level in 84% of patients. Mean AP was lowered from 177/99 to 130/80 mm Hg in 3 months while substantial reduction down to 149/89 mm Hg occurred just after 2 weeks of treatment. Improvement of compliance to therapy was also noted. Fixed perindopril/indapamide combination was well tolerated and turned out to be effective for AP control irrespective of previously conducted therapy (ACEI or ARB with diuretic).