Resistant Hypertension: Is There a Role for a New Drug?

Hypertension can be difficult to control despite the use of multiple drugs (JW Cardiol Sep 23 2009). To evaluate the effects of the selective endothelin antagonist darusentan in patients with treatment-resistant hypertension, academic researchers and the manufacturer collaboratively designed and conducted an international randomized study. The 379 patients with systolic blood pressures ≥140 mm Hg (≥130 mm Hg in those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease) who were receiving at least three antihypertensive drugs (including a diuretic) at full or at maximum tolerated doses were assigned to 14 weeks of additional once-daily treatment with placebo or 50 mg, 100 mg, or 300 mg of darusentan. At least 96% of participants were taking ACE inhibito…