Effects of Valsartan and Aliskiren on Hemostatic Indices in Hypertensive Diabetics

Palo Alto (17 mi)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May be covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 4

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: HeartDrug Research LLC

No Placebo Group

Prior Safety Data

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?People with both hypertension and diabetes have a higher chance of developing heart and arterial problems that could be reduced with anti-coagulant therapy. Valsartan (Diovan), an FDA approved angiotensin-II receptor antagonist (blocker) clinically indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension is known to inhibit platelet activity in both an in vitro and ex vivo setting. Aliskiren (Tekturna) is a recently FDA-approved potent direct renin inhibitor which is also an effective anti-hypertensive agent in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension and which, in vitro, modulates antithrombin III in plasma. Therefore, in addition to being clinically approved anti-hypertensive medications, combining these two agents will potentially target both primary hemostasis (platelets) and anticoagulant (antithrombin-III is a cornerstone substrate for heparin) properties to exert their anti-thrombotic efficacy simultaneously. This combination strategy may not only improve hypertension management, but also improve vascular outcomes in high-risk diabetic population via favorable effects on anti-thrombotic activity. Importantly, there have been no significant additional safety concerns of using the combination of aliskiren and valsartan. The investigators hypothesis is that valsartan 160 mg/daily in combination with aliskiren 150-300 mg/daily for 4 weeks will favorably affect blood levels of platelet/coagulation/fibrinolytic biomarkers (ie, diminish platelet activity, and enhance antithrombin III potency) when compared with monotherapy with aliskiren 150mg/daily in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Eligibility Criteria

Treatment Details

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Aliskiren + ValsartanExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

25 patients with recently diagnosed hypertension, and mild to moderate type 2 diabetes will constitute the proposed study population. The diagnosis of diabetes will be made based on the American Diabetes Association criteria, such as random plasma glucose \>200 mg/dL with or without symptoms of hyperglycemia (polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia) and weight loss, or fasting plasma glucose \> 126 mg/dL, to be determined at least twice. Patients will qualify if they are insulin-free, treated with an oral antiglycemic agent,(metformin only) and/or managed on diet alone for no less than 30 days and have adequate glucose control at the time of their Screening Visit.

Group II: AliskirenActive Control1 Intervention

25 patients with recently diagnosed hypertension and mild to moderate type 2 diabetes will constitute the proposed study population. The diagnosis of diabetes will be made based on the American Diabetes Association criteria, such as random plasma glucose \>200 mg/dL with or without symptoms of hyperglycemia (polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia) and weight loss, or fasting plasma glucose \> 126 mg/dL, to be determined at least twice. Patients will qualify if they are insulin-free, treated with an oral antiglycemic agent,(metformin only) and/or managed on diet alone for no less than 30 days and have adequate glucose control at the time of their Screening Visit.