CAFÉ: Central aortic pressure differences may explain better outcomes with amlodopine in ASCOT.

November 13, 2005—Lower central aortic systolic and pulse pressures with amlodipine-based treatment compared to atenolol-based treatment—although brachial pressures were similar—were found in CAFÉ, a substudy of ASCOT. This may explain the better outcomes with the amlodipine-based treatment in the main study.

FIELD study: fenofibrate therapy reduced cardiovascular events in Type 2 diabetes

November 14, 2005—Macrovascular and microvascular benefits were found with fenofibrate in the 78% of patients with Type 2 diabetes and no previous cardiovascular disease, and who were statin naïve. The Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes (FIELD) study, is the largest intervention study ever conducted in diabetes, and was presented by Dr. Anthony Keech, University of Sydney, Australia at the 2005 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, held in Dallas, Texas from November 13-16.

ACTIVE-W: Terminated early, oral coagulants remain optimal treatment for atrial fibrillation

A 47% excess risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and other vascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving clopidogrel plus aspirin, compared to warfarin, led to the early termination of ACTIVE-W by the study’s Data and Safety Monitoring Board. Dr. Stuart J. Connolly, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, presented the trial at the 2005 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, held in Dallas, Texas from November 13-16.

OmniHeart Study: Cardiovascular risk reduced by modifications to the DASH diet

November 15, 2005—Blood pressure reduction, improved cholesterol levels, and a reduced 10-year risk of heart disease by 16-21% were associated with diets that emphasized protein and unsaturated fats in patients with pre-hypertension and stage 1 hypertension.

IDEAL: High-dose atorvastatin safe, reduces nonfatal myocardial infarction

The Incremental Decrease in Clinical Endpoints Through Aggressive Lipid Lowering (IDEAL) trial showed a 16% significant reduction in its secondary endpoint, an 11% nonsignificant reduction in its primary endpoint, and an 17% reduction in nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) with atorvastatin 80 mg daily compared to simvastatin 20 mg.

PROactive Substudy: Significant reductions in MI and ACS in high-risk diabetic patients

November 16, 2005—Pioglitazone, compared to placebo, on top of optimal medical therapy for all other risk factors, provided a clear benefit in patients with diabetes and a prior MI. This pre-specified subgroup was presented by Dr. Erland Erdmann, University of Koeln Germany, at the 2005 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association, held in Dallas, Texas from November 13-16.