title: Rationale and design of the KYOTO HEART study: effects of valsartan on morbidity and mortality in uncontrolled hypertensive patients with high risk of cardiovascular events.
abstract: It remains to be determined whether the evidence in Western countries for blockade of the renin-angiotensin System in cardiovascular diseases could be directly applied to East Asian races including the Japanese population as a long-term strategy. The KYOTO HEART Study (KHS) is designed to investigate the add-on effect of valsartan versus conventional anti-hypertensive treatment on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Japanese hypertensive patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and with high cardiovascular risk. Over 3000 high-risk Japanese patients with uncontrolled hypertension were randomised to receive either additional treatment with valsartan or conventional non-angiotensin receptor blocker therapies, and the follow-up period will be at least 3 years. The primary end point is a composite of defined cardio- or cerebro-vascular events. Secondary end points include all causes of mortality, worsening of cardiac function, new onset or worsening of arrhythmias or diabetes mellitus. The KHS will provide new evidence for the management of blood pressure in hypertensive patients with high risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan. tsawada@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dahlöf
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsubara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068756:Valsartan
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine