hypertension in the very elderly trial (HYVET)

Introduction

Study characteristics

• 3845 healthy elderly >= 80 years of age, from Europe, China, Australasia, & Tunisia, mean age 83.6 years
• funded by manufacturer of study drugs
• mean blood pressure 173/91 mm Hg
• study duration 2 years

Groups:

• treated with indapamide SA 1.5 mg or placebo + perindopril 2-4 mg or placebo as necessary to achieve BP of 150/80

Results:

• BP lower in treatment group, mean = 15/6 mm Hg
• 30% reduction in mortality from stroke in treated group (p=0.046), 12.4 vs 17.7 per 1000 patient years
• number need to treat = 100 to prevent 1 stroke in 2 years
• 21% reduction in all-cause mortality (p=0.02)
• mortality 10% vs 12%
• 64% reduction in heart failure
• fewer adverse effects in the treatment group
• another account states only 2 serious adverse events, both in the indapamide group
• trial halted early because of ethical concerns

* Editorialist notes that findings probably too good to be true.

Risk of orthostatic hypotension & serious consequences (falls & fractures) likely to be much higher in practice.

More general terms

• hypertension clinical trials

Additional terms

• blood pressure in the very old