GENERAL MEDICINE: Sunday, September 2nd - European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria

Sunday, September 2nd - European Society of Cardiology Congress, 2007, 1-5 September, Vienna, Austria 1. Blood Pressure Drugs Reduce Mortality in Patients with Diabetes: The ADVANCE Study REFERENCE: Abstract 312 Hot Line 1 Sunday STEPHEN MACMAHON, The George Institute, University of Sydney COMMENT: RAYMOND GIBBONS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN The randomised placebo controlled ADVANCE study of 11000 patients with diabetes has demonstrated that a combination of the ACE inhibitor, perindopril, with the diuretic indapamide can lower blood pressure and mortality. The investigators saw an impact even in patients who did not have high blood pressure. Lead study author Stephen MacMahon said this approach should be included in current practise guidelines. Sarah Maxwell spoke with him at the meeting in Vienna. Commented on Stephen McMahon's presentation of the ADVANCE study looking at the use of perindopril plus indapamide among patients with diabetes: a study with 11 000 patients divided between active and placebo in which a 14 per cent improvement in all-cause mortality, an 18 per cent reduction of cardiovascular deaths, was achieved together with reductions of the incidence of both renal and coronary disease. 2. Lifestyle and Heart Disease in Europe: A Growing Problem REFERENCE: Abstract 316 DAVID WOOD, Charing Cross Hospital, London Among 8000 coronary patients in 9 European countries, smoking prevalence hasn’t changed over the last 12 years, and obesity is going up – that’s according to the combined EUROASPIRE surveys, which were presented at the ESC congress. Derek Thorne got more from David Wood, of Charing Cross Hospital in London. 3. Drug Eluting Stents, Bare Metal Stents: No Survival Difference REFERENCE: Hot Line 1 Sunday 11:00 2 Sept/ESC Congress 2007 Vienna 1-5 September STEFAN JAMES, Uppsala Clinical Research Centre, Sweden COMMENT: RAYMOND GIBBONS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN Another year’s results of the long term outcome of using drug-eluting stents as compared with bare-metal stents from Sweden reveal that there is no longer an increased risk of late mortality when using drug-eluting stents according to Stefan James of Uppsala Clinical Research Centre. He suggested that improvements in technique have helped reduce the risk of death or myocardial infarction associated with using drug-eluting stents nevertheless the risk of blood clots still remains. Overall survival of patients was found to be the similar for both categories of stent.