[ONTARGET: similar protection of telmisartan and ramipril and lack of benefit of combined therapy in patients at high risk for vascular events]

Author(s): Scheen AJ, Krzesinski JM

Affiliation(s): Universite de Liege, Belgique.

Publication date & source: 2008-04, Rev Med Liege., 63(4):213-9.

Publication type: English Abstract; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial

ONTARGET ("ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial") compared the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril (10 mg/day), the angiotensin-receptor blocker telmisartan 80 mg/day, and the combination of the two drugs in 25,620 patients with vascular disease or high-risk diabetes. After a median follow up of 56 months, no significant differences were observed between the three groups neither in the primary composite outcome (death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure), nor in each of its components, total mortality and other secondary outcomes. Telmisartan was equivalent to ramipril (non inferiority criterion), but was better tolerated (less cough and angioedema). The combination of the two drugs in this population (without congestive heart failure and proteinuric nephropathy) did not bring increased benefit (no superiority), but was associated with more adverse events (hypotension, syncope and renal dysfunction). In this population, the choice of the molecule in monotherapy remains optional and the use of a dual blockade is not justified in order to have a better cardiovascular protection.