Reaching recommended lipid and blood pressure targets with amlodipine/atorvastatin combination in patients with coronary heart disease

The effects of combined atorvastatin and amlodipine on blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were investigated in 134 patients with documented coronary heart disease treated for 1 year. BP at baseline was 128 ± 15/79 ± 9 mm Hg and was controlled by the treating physician; no calcium channel blockers were allowed. Baseline means for plasma cholesterol were 6.4 ± 1.1 mmol/L (147 ± 39 mg/dl), triglycerides 2.0 ± 0.9 mmol/L (177 ± 88 mg/dl), LDL cholesterol 4.4 ± 1.0 mmol/L (170 ± 39 mg/dl), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 1.2 ± 0.3 mmol/L (46 ± 12 mg/dl). Patients were all given atorvastatin 10 mg, then increased to 80 mg if the LDL cholesterol was <2.5 mmol/L (100 mg/dl). At 3 months, patients were randomized to amlodipine 10 mg or placebo. Plasma LDL cholesterol was decreased by 50%, and the LDL cholesterol target of <2.5 mmol/L was achieved in 81% of the patients. BP targets were achieved in 69% of the atorvastatin + placebo group, versus 96% in the atorvastatin + amlodipine group (p = 0.0002). With use of combination atorvastatin + amlodipine at doses ranging from 10 to 80 mg and 5 to 10 mg, respectively, recommended therapeutic goals were reached in most select subjects with coronary artery disease who were concomitantly receiving aspirin and antihypertensive therapy.