title: Nitrendipine in older patients with isolated systolic hypertension: second progress report on the SYST-EUR trial.
abstract: This report from the double-blind placebo-controlled SYST-EUR trial investigated whether modern antihypertensive drugs are suitable for maintaining long-term BP control in older (> or = 60 years of age) subjects with isolated systolic hypertension (SBP 160-219 mmHg and DBP < 95 mmHg). Active treatment consisted of nitredipine (10-40 mg/day) with the possible addition of enalapril (5-20 mg/day) and hydrochlorothiazide (12.5-25 mg/day), if necessary to reduce SBP to < 150 mmHg and by > or = 20 mmHg. Matching placebos were used in the control group. This analysis was restricted to 18 months of follow-up. The placebo (n = 456) and active treatment (n = 485) groups had similar characteristics at randomisation (sitting pressure 176/85 mmHg; age 73 years). SBP fell (P < 0.001) on average 10 mmHg more on active treatment than on placebo and DBP 4 mmHg more. Fewer patients remained on monotherapy in the placebo than in the active treatment group (P < 0.001); on placebo the second and third line medications were started earlier (P < 0.001). Nitrendipine tablets were discontinued in nine patients on placebo and in 29 patients assigned to active treatment (P < 0.001). In conclusion, a significant BP reduction can be achieved and maintained in older patients with isolated systolic hypertension treated with a calcium antagonist (associated with a converting-enzyme inhibitor and a thiazide, where necessary). Whether this BP reduction results in a clinically meaningful decrease of cardiovascular complications is under investigation.
authors.affiliation: Klinisch Laboratorium Hypertensie, Universitair Ziekenhuis Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Staessen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bert
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bulpitt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Cort
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fagard
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kivinen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lehtomaki
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leonetti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004656:Enalapril / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009568:Nitrendipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D004656:Enalapril; D009568:Nitrendipine