Blood Pressure Drug May Not Ease Irregular Heartbeat

SOURCES: Aldo P. Maggioni, M.D., director, ANMCO Research Center, Florence, Italy; Anne M. Gillis, professor, medicine, and director, arrhythmia program, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; April 16, 2009, New England Journal of Medicine) Retrieved April 15, 2009 from, http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docid=626049

Early research showed some promise that Valsartan would reduce the number of atrial fibrillation episodes in patients. "But in the patients we randomized in this study, it was not useful in preventing recurrence," said study author Dr. Aldo P. Maggioni, director of the ANMCO Research Center in Florence. His team published the findings in the April 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The study included 1,442 patients, half given Valsartan and half given a placebo. These patients were followed over a one year period and were found to have almost equal numbers of AFIB episodes (51.4% in those taking Valsartan and 52.1% in those taking the placebo). The overall evidence does not support use of Valsartan in preventing recurrent episodes of AFIB.