Effectiveness of perindopril and beta-blockers in patients with stable coronary artery disease

This paper studied whether adding perindopril (Aceon) to beta-blocker therapy could improve outcomes for patients with coronary artery disease. This study found that adding perindopril to beta-blocker therapy improved outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease. 

Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart become stiff and narrowed. This increases the risk of chest pain and heart attack. Beta-blockers are a group of drugs that are recommended as treatment for relieving chest pain and controlling symptoms in coronary artery disease.

Perindopril is an ACE inhibitor. This type of drug works to reduce high blood pressure. Recent guidelines suggest that ACE inhibitors should be given with beta-blockers, as this can prevent other diseases that will contribute to risk of heart disease. 

This study compared the outcomes of patients taking both perindopril and a beta-blocker to those taking a beta-blocker alone. The patients included were part of a larger study (including 12,218 patients) examining the effectiveness of perindopril in stable coronary artery disease. This analysis included 7534 patients treated with beta-blockers. 3789 patients were also treated with perindopril and 3745 were given a placebo (substance with no effect on the body). 

The rate of death from heart related causes, heart attack or cardiac arrest (heart stops beating) was 5.7% in patients taking perindopril and 7.9% in patients taking placebo. Patients taking perindopril and beta-blocker were 24% less at risk of death from heart related causes, heart attack or cardiac arrest than patients on placebo and beta-blocker. Perindopril reduced the risk of heart attack by 28%.

Rates of serious adverse events (undesired effect of treatment) were similar between patients taking perindopril and patients taking placebo. The rate of hospitalization was significantly lower in patients taking perindopril and beta-blocker. The most common cause of hospitalization was intermediate coronary syndrome (reduced blood flow to the heart). 

The authors concluded that adding perindopril to beta-blocker therapy was safe and improved outcomes for patients with stable coronary artery disease. 

Talk to your doctor about receiving an ACE inhibitor like perindopril together with a beta-blocker.