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. 2016 Sep 28;3(2):e000473.
doi: 10.1136/openhrt-2016-000473. eCollection 2016.

Amlodipine in hypertension: a first-line agent with efficacy for improving blood pressure and patient outcomes

Hassan Fares  1 , James J DiNicolantonio  2 , James H O'Keefe  2 , Carl J Lavie  1
Affiliations

Amlodipine in hypertension: a first-line agent with efficacy for improving blood pressure and patient outcomes

Hassan Fares et al. Open Heart. .

Abstract

Objectives: Hypertension is well established as a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although there is undeniable evidence to support the beneficial effects of antihypertensive therapy on morbidity and mortality, adequate blood pressure management still remains suboptimal. Research into the treatment of hypertension has produced a multitude of drug classes with different efficacy profiles. These agents include β-blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers. One of the oldest groups of antihypertensives, the calcium channel blockers are a heterogeneous group of medications.

Methods: This review paper will focus on amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, which has been widely used for 2 decades.

Results: Amlodipine has good efficacy and safety, in addition to strong evidence from large randomised controlled trials for cardiovascular event reduction.

Conclusions: Amlodipine should be considered a first-line antihypertensive agent.

Keywords: BLOOD PRESSURE; CARDIOVASCULAR; CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE; HEART FAILURE; HYPERTENSION.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
ACCOMPLISH: the amlodipine+benazepril combination lowered the primary end point by a relative risk reduction was 20% (HR 0.80; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.90; p<0.001).
Figure 2
Figure 2
ASCOT: randomised trial showing a decrease in cardiovascular mortality in patients treated with amlodipine/perindopril compared with atenolol/thiazide therapy. ASCOT, Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial; CV, cardiovascular; RRR, relative risk reduction.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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