(MedPageToday) — Two commonly prescribed beta-blockers had a similar effect on the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with hypertension, an analysis of a large hypertension registry showed.
Rates of myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke did not differ significantly between patients treated with atenolol or metoprolol. An analysis employing propensity-score matching yielded similar results.
The findings suggest that potentially unfavorable characteristics of atenolol do not explain the results of recent hypertension trials showing higher CV event rates in patients treated with atenolol compared with other classes of antihypertensive drugs, according to an article published online in Archives of Internal Medicine.
“In this retrospective cohort study comparing patients initiating beta-blocker treatment with either atenolol or metoprolol tartrate, there were no statistically significant differences in rates of incident MI, heart failure, or stroke after adjusting for potential confounders,” Emily Parker, PhD, of HealthPartners Institute for Education and Research in Minneapolis, and co-authors wrote in conclusion.
“In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in SBP-lowering effects comparing atenolol and metoprolol tartrate,” they wrote.
“These results should be interpreted cautiously,” they added, “since there have been no trials comparing these two beta-blockers directly.”
Beta-blockers have clinical-guideline support as first-line therapy for hypertension and multiple clinical trials have demonstrated reduced morbidity and mortality among patients treated with beta-blockers.
Questions about the safety and efficacy of atenolol arose after two large trials showed that atenolol-based regimens were inferior to other antihypertensive regimens for preventing CV events in patients with hypertension. A subsequent meta-analysis showed that beta-blockers were less effective than other antihypertensive agents, primarily with respect to stroke prevention.
The authors of the meta-analysis noted a paucity of data on beta-blockers other than atenolol, precluding a conclusion that the findings applied to all beta-blockers (Lancet 2005; 366: 1545-1553).
Members of the beta-blocker class have different pharmacokinetic properties that might have relevance for heart protection, Parker and co-authors wrote in their introduction. However, head-to-head clinical trials are unlikely.
The authors turned to the Cardiovascular Research Network Hypertension Registry to investigate the lingering questions regarding atenolol’s safety and efficacy. They searched the registry for all patients who initiated beta-blocker therapy with atenolol or metoprolol from 2000 through 2009. The patients had no history of cardiovascular disease.
The primary outcomes of interest were MI, heart failure, and stroke. The authors performed two analyses: one employing standard covariate adjustment (N=120,978, 91% atenolol) and the other with propensity score-matching methodology (N=22,352).
Baseline blood pressure values were significantly higher in the atenolol group (148.5/84.2 versus 145.4/82.5 mm Hg, P<0.001 for systolic and diastolic pressure).
At 6 months the systolic blood pressure did not differ between the groups (137.4 versus 137.5 mm Hg). Diastolic pressure was statistically higher in the metoprolol group, although the difference was small (77.3 versus 77.7 mm Hg, P=0.005).
During a median follow-up of 5.2 years, CV events consisted of 3,517 MIs, 3,272 heart-failure events, and 3,664 strokes. Comparing metoprolol versus atenolol resulted in hazard ratios of 0.99 for all three outcomes. Analysis of any CV event resulted in a hazard ratio of 0.98.
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I read this over and over again and not sure if it is saying that Atenolol is not the best treatment for prevention of stroke and heart attack. Can someone put this article in a much more easier to understand format? I have been taking Atenolol for 6 years now and I would like to know if I have to be concerned about this.
I’ve been taking Atenolol for seven years, the last couple of years was reduced to 50MG daily.
Also I’m taking Ramipril 5MG daily. Lately my Systolic and Diastolic have been going up and down. Should I worry about the Atenolol?
Leo, I too had to read this more than once. There is a clear statement that earlier studies showed “atenolol-based regimens were inferior to other antihypertensive regimens”. This alone should cause you to review your meds with your doctor. New information is learned all the time. What may have been best 6 years ago may not be best for you now. It is worthwhile to keep ourselves educated.
Thanks Scott, that was my understanding too and definitely will talk to my doctor next visit.