These data revealed that the cumulative 12-month mortality was 2.9% for Atacand® versus 7.2% for placebo (P=0.07), while the rate of vascular events post stroke was nearly half with Atacand® compared with placebo (9.8% compared with 18.7%, P=0.026). The cumulative 12-month mortality and the number of vascular events differed significantly in favour of the Atacand® group (odds ratio, 0.475; 95% CI, 0.252 to 0.895). Crucially, the trial found that a seven day course of Atacand® when initiated no later than 72 hours post stroke significantly improved cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
"The ACCESS data clearly defined the benefit and safety of early AT1-antagonist intervention with Atacand® for patients suffering from acute ischaemic stroke", commented lead investigator Prof Peter Dominiak, Lübeck University, Germany. "These data have great implications for the management of stroke patients in the future."
Atacand® demonstrated a tolerability and side effect profile comparable to placebo. Importantly, no cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event occurred as a result of low blood pressure due to Atacand® treatment.
Stroke is the third most common cause of death in industrialised countries and a leading cause of adult disability. Each year, stroke affects nearly 20 million people worldwide and of these, approximately five million people die. Stroke cost the USA $51.2 billion in direct and indirect costs in 20032 and costs the UK's NHS over £2.3 billion a year .
Atacand® is a selective angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker and is the first antihypertensive therapy to show a benefit with early treatment for acute ischaemic stroke in patients with high blood pressure.
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the top five pharmaceutical companies in the world with healthcare sales of over $17.8 billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, oncology, cardiovascular, neuroscience and respiratory products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global and European) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.
For further information please see www.astrazenecapressoffice.com or contact:
Amanda Sefton
Ketchum – media information
mobile: 44-7958-228-097
office: 44-20-7611-3613
email: amanda.sefton@ketchum.com
Ross Pownall
AstraZeneca
mobile: +44 7714 667 502
office: +44 1625 512 478
email: ross.pownall@astrazeneca.com
Atacand® is a trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
Notes to editors:
* The ACCESS study (Acute Candesartan Cilexetil Evaluation in Stroke Survivors) is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, multicentre phase II study with 342 patients (339 valid for statistical evaluation) across Germany, evaluating the use of Atacand® in acute stroke patients with high blood pressure. The study was designed to assess the safety of modest blood pressure reduction in the early treatment of stroke. The study was also designed to provide an estimate of the number of cases required to perform a larger phase III efficacy study.
** Candesartan cliexetil is an AT1-receptor blocker which was discovered by Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. And has been developed jointly by AstraZeneca and Takeda. The product is now available in most countries under the trade names Atacand® and/or Blopress® by AstraZeneca and Takeda respectively.
References
1. The European Stroke Initiative. Introduction to the management of stroke - How frequent are strokes? 2003 www.eusi-stroke.com
2. American Heart Association, Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2003 Update http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3009972
3. MacMahon S, Neal B, Tzourio C, Rodgers A, Woodward M, Cutler J, et al. (the PROGRESS Collaborative Group). Randomised trial of a perindopril – based blood pressure-lowering regimen among 6105 individuals with previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Lancet 2001;358:1033-1041
4. The Stroke Association http://www.stroke.org.uk