1. Rimoldi SF et al. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2015;17(3):193-199. Efficacy and safety of calcium channel blocker/diuretics combination therapy in hypertensive patients: a meta-analysis

2. Methods Four studies (ELSA, VALUE, FEVER, COPE) with a total of 30 791 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included. Random-effects meta-analysis comparing ischemic outcomes between patients treated with a CCB/thiazide diuretic combination and those treated with other antihypertensive medications at maximum available follow up.

3. Characteristics of the studies included in the analysis ELSAVALUEFEVERCOPE Number of randomized patients 233415 24597113501 Active treatmentCCB/DIU ComparatorβB/DIUARB/DIUDIU CCB/ARB or CCB/βB BP at entry (mmHg)164/101 vs 163/101155/88 vs 154/87154/91 vs 154/91 154/89 vs 154/89 and 154/89 Drop in SBP (mmHg) 21.6 vs 21.817.3 vs 15.216.9 vs 11.9 20.0 vs 19.3 and 20.1 Drop in DBP (mmHg) 15.5 vs 15.69.9 vs 8.28.5 vs 6.3 12.4 vs 11.8 and 12.0

4. Results The combination of a CCB with a thiazide (-like) diuretic exhibited similar risks of all cause mortality (RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.75-1.06) and cardiovascular mortality (RR, 0.89; CI, 0.71-1.10) compared with other hypertensive medications. Moreover, the combination CCB/ thiazide (-like) diuretic was associated with a significant risk reduction for MI (RR, 0.83; CI, 0.73-0.95) and stroke (RR, 0.77; CI, 0.64-0.92) compared with other hypertensive medications.

5. Thiazide diuretics/calcium channel blockers: more effective than other combinations in reducing stroke CCB, calcium channel blocker; CI, confidence internval; DIU, diuretic.

6. Conclusions Calcium channel blocker/diuretic combination therapy is safe and efficient in reducing morbidity and mortality in hypertension. Calcium channel blocker/diuretic combination therapy may be particularly useful to reduce systolic blood pressure and to confer cerebrovascular protection.