Angiotensin II receptor blockers and myocardial infarction: an updated analysis of randomized clinical trials.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of treatments based on angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular and all-cause death, as compared with conventional treatment or placebo.


METHODS
We performed a meta-analysis of all available major international, randomized clinical trials (20 trials, n = 108 909 patients, mean age 66.5 +/- 4.1 years), published by 31 August 2008, comparing ARBs with other drugs or conventional therapies (placebo) and reporting MI incidence.


RESULTS
During a mean follow-up of 3.3 +/- 1.1 years, a total of 2374/53 208 and 2354/53 153 cases of MI were recorded in ARB-based groups and in comparator arms, respectively [odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.008 (0.950-1.069)]. Risks of MI were not different when tested in different clinical conditions, including hypertension, high cardiovascular risk, stroke, coronary disease, renal disease and heart failure. No significant differences in the risk of MI between treatment with ARBs versus placebo [OR 95% CI 0.944 (0.841-1.060)], beta-blockers and diuretics [OR 95% CI 0.970 (0.804-1.170)], calcium channel blockers [OR 95% CI 1.112 (0.971-1.272)], or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors [OR 95% CI 1.008 (0.926-1.099)] were observed. Analysis of trials comparing combination therapy based on ARBs plus ACE inhibitors versus active treatments or placebo showed equivalent MI risk [OR 95% CI 0.996 (0.896-1.107)].


CONCLUSIONS
The present meta-analysis indicates that the risk of MI is comparable with use of ARBs and other antihypertensive drugs in a wide range of clinical conditions.
Volpe
Massimo
M
Division of Cardiology, II Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome La Sapienza, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy. massimo.volpe@uniroma1.it
Tocci
Giuliano
G
Sciarretta
Sebastiano
S
Verdecchia
Paolo
P
Trimarco
Bruno
B
Mancia
Giuseppe
G
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002423:Cause of Death; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers