Inclisiran-based treatment strategy in hypercholesterolaemia: the VICTORION-Difference trial.

Background And Aims: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular (CV) disease development and progression. The European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend combination treatment to achieve CV risk-based LDL-C treatment goals. Inclisiran, a small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) that targets hepatic proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) messenger RNA, can provide sustained and effective LDL-C reduction.

Design and rationale of a randomized clinical trial assessing the effect of inclisiran on atherosclerotic plaque in individuals without previous cardiovascular event and without flow- limiting lesions identified in an in-hospital screening: The VICTORION-PLAQUE primary prevention trial.

Background: The impact of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk is influenced by both the magnitude and duration of exposure. Patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease (NOCAD) and a CT-adapted Leaman score (CT-LeSc) >5 have a higher risk of cardiac events. The CT-LeSc semi-quantitatively assesses total coronary atherosclerotic burden via coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).

Design and rationale of the VICTORION-Difference study: A phase 4 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess inclisiran's early efficacy, safety, tolerability, as well as its impact on quality of life in individuals with hypercholesterolemia.

Introduction: Twice-yearly inclisiran (after the initial and 3-month doses) provides effective and sustained low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction in individuals with hyperlipidemia with a favorable long-term safety profile. Limited studies have assessed the impact of inclisiran on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or ASCVD-risk equivalent. The VICTORION-Difference study will evaluate the early efficacy, safety, and QoL outcomes with inclisiran compared to placebo on top of individually optimized lipid-lowering therapy.

Clinical characteristics and treatment patterns in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with hypercholesterolemia: a retrospective analysis of a large US real-world database cohort.

Objective: Guidelines developed by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) recommend lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. This study described LLT utilization patterns and LDL-C goal achievement (to <70 mg/dL) among patients with ASCVD in the United States.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database (CDM).

Destiffening effect of valsartan and atenolol: influence of heart rate and blood pressure.

Objective: We investigated data in 373 patients from the EXPLOR trial to determine the influence of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) on aortic stiffness in response to beta-blockade or angiotensin 2 type 1 receptor antagonism, administered during 24 weeks.

Methods: Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured with aplanation tonometry (Sphygmocor ) after 8 (W8) and 24 weeks (W24) of treatment by the single-pill combination valsartan-amlodipine (80/5  mg, then 160/10  mg) or an atenolol-amlodipine combination (50/5  mg, then 100/10  mg) in a prospective, randomized, parallel-groups multicenter trial with PROBE design. Drugs were up-titrated at W8.

Gender-related differences in the management of hypertension by cardiologists: the PARITE study.

Background: Several studies have shown gender differences in the management of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. Whether the management of hypertension by cardiologists in France differs according to patient gender has not been fully investigated.

Aims: The main objective of this cross-sectional, multicentre study was to examine the management according to gender of hypertensive patients by office-based cardiologists in France.

Efficacy of morning and evening dosing of amlodipine/valsartan combination in hypertensive patients uncontrolled by 5 mg of amlodipine.

Objectives: This study compared the effects of morning and evening dosing of amlodipine/valsartan combination on 24-h blood pressure (BP) in patients uncontrolled by amlodipine (5 mg).

Methods: This was a multicenter study that used a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint design. Patients with essential hypertension, who's ambulatory BP was uncontrolled after 4 weeks on amlodipine (5 mg) were randomized to receive amlodipine/valsartan (5/160 mg) for 8 weeks in the morning or evening (n=231, 232, respectively), with optional uptitration up to 10/160 mg after 4 weeks if the office BP was uncontrolled.

A specific training on hypertension guidelines improves blood pressure control by more than 10% in hypertensive patients: the VALNORM study.

VALNORM was designed to assess the impact on blood pressure (BP) control of a specific training in new European Society of Hypertension-International Society of Hypertension (ESH-ISH) guidelines for hypertension management. It was an 8-week prospective, randomized, open, blinded end points design study. General practitioners (GPs) located in France were randomized in two groups: group 1 (G1) without training to the guidelines and free attitude for the prescription whereas group 2 (G2) received a specific training in ESH guidelines.