GERRARDS CROSS, England, December 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Olmetec(R) (olmesartan medoxomil), licensed in the UK for essential hypertension, is the first ARB to suggest a regression of atherosclerosis (plaque volume (PV)) , a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new study published today in the inaugural issue of Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease. Regression of PV is a compelling clinical goal, with potential to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. In the Multicentre Olmesartan Atherosclerosis Regression Evaluation (MORE) study the primary end point, common carotid - intima media thickness (CC-IMT), a surrogate risk factor for CVD, decreased after 2 years treatment with olmesartan. A post hoc analysis in patients with larger plaques demonstrated a significant reduction in PV compared to atenolol the active comparator, although change in PV for the whole study population only showed trend towards significance for olmesartan. This is a promising finding which provides a focus for further evaluation in future clinical studies.
