Efficacy of eplerenone added to renin-angiotensin blockade in elderly hypertensive patients: the Jichi-Eplerenone Treatment (JET) study.
INTRODUCTION: We assessed the additional effects of eplerenone to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on 24-h blood pressure (BP) level, fibrinolytic activity, and cardiovascular protection in elderly (>60 years) hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 20 patients (mean age 74 years, 25% men), whose BP was uncontrolled despite the use of anti-hypertensive drugs including ACEIs or ARBs (average 2.4 drugs), received eplerenone once daily (mean 37.5 mg) for 24 weeks. RESULTS: Eplerenone treatment significantly reduced mean 24-h systolic/diastolic BP levels (143/80 mmHg to 132/74 mmHg, both p < 0.002). The reduction of 24-h systolic BP levels, especially night-time BP, was significantly associated with the reduction of atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide levels (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, after eplerenone treatment, the mean plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen level was significantly reduced (35 ng/ml to 25 ng/ml, p < 0.05), and the median level of plasma procollagen type III aminoterminal peptide and the urinary albumin excretion rate were also significantly reduced (0.8 U/ml to 0.6 U/ml, p < 0.003 and 53 mg/g·Cr to 23 mg/g·Cr, p < 0.05, respectively). During the intervention, eplerenone treatment was well tolerated with no reports of hyperkalaemia or hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of eplerenone to ACEIs or ARBs in elderly hypertensive patients offers significant benefits in terms of 24-h BP levels, fibrinolysis, and cardiovascular protection.
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Related Subject Headings
- Treatment Outcome
- Time Factors
- Spironolactone
- Renin-Angiotensin System
- Renin
- Procollagen
- Peptide Fragments
- Male
- Japan
- Hypertension
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Treatment Outcome
- Time Factors
- Spironolactone
- Renin-Angiotensin System
- Renin
- Procollagen
- Peptide Fragments
- Male
- Japan
- Hypertension