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michigan hypertension core curriculum - State of Michigan

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Compelling Indications for Specific Antihypertensive Medication Classes<br />

182 Hypertension Core Curriculum<br />

Khaled Ismail, MD<br />

Learning Objectives:<br />

1. Learn the various coexisting conditions for which specific classes <strong>of</strong> antihypertensive drugs are<br />

indicated.<br />

2. Understand the evidence supporting the use <strong>of</strong> different antihypertensive drug classes in<br />

patients with these comorbidities.<br />

Pretest:<br />

1. A 38 year-old male with a history <strong>of</strong> type 2 diabetes presents to your <strong>of</strong>fice for a routine<br />

checkup. His BP is 155/95 mmHg and his last hemoglobin A1C was 8.9%. His BP on a previous visit 6<br />

weeks ago was 150/90 mmHg. He currently takes only insulin. Which medication is the best choice for<br />

initial antihypertensive therapy?<br />

a. hydrochlorothiazide 25mg<br />

b. losartan 50 mg/d plus chlorthalidone 25 mg/d (correct answer)<br />

c. metoprolol 25 mg bid<br />

d. amlodipine 5 mg/d<br />

e. clonidine 0.1mg bid<br />

The JNC 7 guidelines published in 2003 identified several “compelling indications” for<br />

prescribing certain antihypertensive medication classes. 1 These indications include congestive heart<br />

failure (CHF), a history myocardial infarction or stroke, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and an overall<br />

elevated risk for coronary artery disease.<br />

Large, randomized controlled trials (RCT) have shown survival benefits independent <strong>of</strong> BP<br />

control when treating HF (specifically systolic dysfunction) when beta blockers, angiotensin converting<br />

enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are administered. The investigators<br />

found a 31% relative risk reduction in all-cause mortality at one year in patients with American Heart<br />

Association class 4 heart failure patients treated with enalapril. 2 The ARB valsartan was found to<br />

reduce hospitalization due to CHF in patients with class 2 or greater heart failure. 3 Beta-blockers<br />

such as extended-release metoprolol have been shown in RCT to significantly reduce mortality. 4,5 The<br />

administration <strong>of</strong> the aldosterone antagonist, spironolactone to patients with classes 3 and 4 heart<br />

failure has also been associated with a 30% reduction in mortality. 6 Following myocardial infarction,<br />

beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and aldosterone antagonists have each been associated with significant<br />

reductions in mortality (23%, 19%, and 15% respectively). 5,7,8 Thus, in hypertensive patients with<br />

systolic heart failure, it is imperative that these drug classes be preferentially used in the prescribed<br />

antihypertensive regimens.<br />

Numerous prospective studies in animals and humans have shown the renoprotective effects<br />

<strong>of</strong> RAS antagonists in patients with CKD. Thus, these agents are definitely indicated in patients with<br />

diabetic and non-diabetic nephropathy. 9,10 It is a mistake, however, to believe that BP control, in most<br />

instances, will be obtained without additional antihypertensive agents – most notably diuretics and/or<br />

calcium antagonists.<br />

Diabetic patients should be treated with RAS antagonists – either an ACE inhibitor or an ARB.

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