The Eurevie Study: contrasting effect of piretanide and thiazides in mild to moderate hypertension.

UNLABELLED: This study compares the loop diuretic piretanide 6 mg in a slow-release formulation (PIR) with hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (HCT) and the fixed combination altizide 15 mg-spironolactone 25 mg (ALT-SP) in hypertension. 1105 mild to moderate hypertensive patients entered a three-week placebo wash-out period; 899 were randomized in a 6-month, double-blind, parallel group treatment phase; 800 completed the study. Primary end-points; serum potassium concentration and quality of life at one month; secondary end-points: ionic, renal and metabolic variables; blood pressure (BP) measurements. HCT and ALT-SP were compared only to PIR using Dunnett's or chi 2 tests. RESULTS: No difference was found for the overall quality of life. No change of serum potassium concentration at one month was found in PIR while small decreases were detected with ALT-SP (-0.1 mM) and HCT (-0.26 mM). Serum creatinine concentration increased significantly in ALT-SP when compared to PIR. All the drugs were effective in reducing BP: HCT had a higher rate of responders than PIR with similar mean BP falls and ALT-SP induced greater falls in blood pressure. CONCLUSION: PIR proves to be a potent antihypertensive drug without significant effect on serum electrolytes, plasma glucose and lipids. HCT was slightly more potent but induced a fall in serum potassium concentration with a significant risk of hypokalaemia. The addition of SP to ALT led to a more potent diuretic with a higher level of serum potassium and plasma creatinine disturbances.

[Diuretics in the treatment of hypertension: critical analysis of opinions of general practitioners and cardiologists]. / Les diurétiques dans le traitement de l'hypertension artérielle: analyse critique de l'opinion des praticiens généralistes et cardiologues.

To better evaluate the clinical practice of French practitioners regarding the treatment of hypertension and the use of diuretics, we conducted a study using quota method to select 240 general practitioners and 90 cardiologists. Diuretics are still widely used and are effective well known drugs. Their use is nevertheless restricted by some side effects such as increasing frequency of micturition and electrolyte disturbances. These side effects are reduced with the new lower dosages and slow release formulations. Analysis of the results of our study suggests that the use of diuretics depends more on old habits and industry communication on drugs than on the knowledge of the results of therapeutic trials on mortality and morbidity.

[Pentoxifylline and intermittent claudication: critical analysis of clinical trials]. / Pentoxifylline et claudication intermittente: analyse critique des essais cliniques.

Drug utility in the treatment of intermittent claudication is controversial, mainly because of data heterogeneity and not too obvious benefit in the clinical trials. Pentoxifylline is the world's largest prescribed drug for intermittent claudication. In an attempt to define its benefit in the global care of the claudicants, we have analysed all the randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trials listed from the international data-bases. Methodology of these trials have been compared with the European and FDA guidelines. In this respect, the 3 best suitable studies are consistent with one other and with a statistical benefit of pentoxifylline on the claudication distances. Although this effect is not truly predictive of the long term benefit-risk ratio of the drug, it seems clinically useful, especially when considering stable patients and when using the drug after previous physical training.