ANICHKOV study: the effect of combined hypotensive and lipid-lowering therapy on cardiovascular complications in patients of high and very high risk

Reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications include lifestyle changes, drug therapy for achieving target blood pressure levels, normalizing the lipid profile, and correcting other risk factors. Adherence to therapy is of particular role, especially in primary prevention, which determines the need to implement the concept of fixed combinations. Approximately 70% of patients with AH have elevated levels of total cholesterol (TCh) and LDL-C, which determines the feasibility of using a FC containing a statin with two antihypertensive drugs. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess cardiovascular risk in patients with elevated levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C and concomitant AH, a comparative analysis of adherence, efficacy and safety of various forms of combined therapy in outpatient practice, including promising lisinopril/amlodipine/rosuvastatin FC (Ekvamer®). Materials and methods. The ANICHKOV study included 702 patients in Moscow and the Moscow region over 18 years old with a cholesterol level ≥7.5 mmol/l and/or LDL-C ≥4.9 mmol/l from March 2017 to December 2018 based on 2 federal centers. According to the results of visit I, patients were prescribed with one of three therapy schemes. In the absence of AH, patients received scheme I (Mertenil® at initial dosage of 10 mg/day). When history of AH existed or AH detected at visit I, patients were randomized to scheme II (Ekvamer® 5/10/10 mg/day) or III (Mertenil® 10 mg/day + Ekvator® 5/10 mg/day). During the observation, the treatment scheme remained unchanged, however, if the target levels of LDL-C and/or BP were not reached, the doses could be increased. The analysis of the main effects of the prescribed therapy were carried out for 12 months, and the frequency of MACE (CVD, ACS, stroke, or hospitalization to perform PCI) was also evaluated Results and discussion. Following the visit I, scheme I was assigned to 390 patients (55.6%), scheme II - 190 (27.1%), scheme III - 122 (17.4%). In 147 patients (20.9%), TG level was >2.3 mmol/l, which required additional fenofibrate intake in a dose of 145 mg/day. Adherence level was 89.5%, including scheme I - 91.7%, scheme II - 90.5%, scheme III - only 81.8%. In general, among compliant patients (n = 590), the decrease in TCh level was 41.0%, LDL-C - 47.4%. 16.6% of patients reached target levels of LDL-C <2.5 mmol/l, 5.6% - <1.8 mmol/l. In the fenofibrate subgroup, TG level decrease was 34.6%. During the follow-up period, 47 cases of side effects were observed in 27 patients (4.6%), that did not require modification of therapy. Systolic BP reduction in compliant patients of schemes II and III was 20 mm. Hg (13.1%), diastolic BP - 12 mm. Hg (13.6%), target BP levels (<140/90 mm. Hg) reached 83.7% and 80.8% of patients, respectively, target levels of BP and LDL-C <2.5 mmol/l reached 14.5% and 13.1% of patients, respectively, <1.8 mmol/l - 5.8% and 5.1%, respectively. During the observation period no deaths were recorded, other components of MACE were observed in 38 patients (5.8%), including 27 among compliant patients (4.6%) and 11 among non-compliant (15.9%, p<0.01). In 19 out of 38 patients (50%), hospitalization for routine PCI was the end point, ACS - in 12 (31.6%), and stroke - in 7 (18.4%). Conclusion. The results of the study demonstrated a sufficient hypolipidemic effect and high safety of Mertenil® and Ekvamer®. A higher adherence to the combined preparation than to two monodrugs was noted. Achieving target levels of BP and LDL-C is problematic, which dictates the expediency of using fixed combinations of drugs, especially in primary prevention.

combined antihypertensive therapy, lipid-lowering therapy, high cardiovascular risk