The Study of Novel Dual Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) Blockade; Valsartan/Aliskiren in African American Patients With Hypertension and the Metabolic Syndrome (SAAVE)
Hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Hypertension focused on measuring Hypertension, Metabolic Syndrome, African American
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- African American men or women 18 - 80 years of age.
- Appropriate therapy for high blood pressure consisting of no more than 2 antihypertensives.
Patients with at least one marker of Metabolic Syndrome as evidenced by:
- HDL cholesterol < 35mg/dl (men); < 45 mg/dl (women)
- Triglycerides > 200mg/dl
- Fasting Glucose >100mg/dl
- Waist Circumference: Men >40 inches (102cm); Women > 35 (88cm)
- Recent copy of EKG.
- Women able to become pregnant must use reliable contraception (e.g. hormonal contraception and double-barrier methods) throughout this study and for one week after the end of this study. Post-menopausal or surgically sterile women.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Uncontrolled hypertension.
- Organ transplant.
- Hypersensitivity to any study medications
- Systolic pressure 170 or higher or Diastolic pressure 110 or higher.
- Cardiovascular events within last 6 months Stroke, Heart Attack, Stent, or Hospitalization for severe Heart Failure.
- Serum potassium greater than 5.0
- Heart block without a pacemaker, continuing arrhythmia or valvular heart disease.
- Blocked renal artery.
- Patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine 1.7 mg/dl for women and 2.0 mg/dl for men and or estimated GFR <30 mL/min) a history of dialysis, nephritic syndrome, or reno-vascular hypertension.
- Any condition that may alter medication absorption.
- Any condition that may place patient at higher risk from participating in study or will jeopardize the evaluation of efficacy or safety.
- Use of any investigational study medications within 30 days of enrollment
- Persons unwilling or unable to take regular medications or comply with study protocol.
- Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women, or women of childbearing potential (defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant) who do not use reliable methods of contraception: surgical sterilization, bilateral tubal ligation, hormonal contraception, implantable and oral) and double barrier methods if accepted by local regulatory authority and ethics committee. Reliable contraception should be maintained throughout the study and for 7 days after study drug discontinuation.
Sites / Locations
- University of Michigan Health System
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Aliskiren/Valsartan (Valturna)
Ramipril
Valturna contains two prescription medicines in one tablet that work together to lower blood pressure. It contains aliskerin (Tekturna), a direct rennin inhibitor (DRI), and valsartan (Diovan), an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Aliskerin reduces the effect of rennin, and the harmful process that narrows blood vessels. It also helps blood vessels relax and widen so blood pressure is lower. Valsartan can help lower blood pressure by blocking a potent chemical, angiotensin II, which leads to blood vessel constriction and narrowing.
Ramipril (Altace) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI). It is a chemical compound that helps create a protein named angiotensin II. Angiotensin II can raise blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to narrow. Altace helps lower blood pressure by decreasing the amount of ACE the body makes. Ramipril has been proven by the investigators to stabilize decline in kidney function in African American patients with evidence of damage.