The results of recent heart disease trials were announced at this year's American Heart Association's scientific sessions.
A 16-week multinational study assessed whether a cholesterol lowering drug reduced recurrent ischaemic events if given to patients immediately after an acute coronary event.
Another multinational study assessed the effect of valsartan in addition to standard heart failure treatment on mortality and morbidity, in patients with moderate to severe heart failure, in comparison with placebo.
The benefits of adding carvedilol to standard heart failure treatment in patients with severe chronic heart failure were demonstrated in another study. This study was halted one year early, in March, 2000, because of the significant survival benefit seen with carvedilol.
An ongoing trial compared the use of tirofiban with abciximab in patients undergoing coronary procedures.
A further study looked at whether administration of fluvastatin immediately post myocardial infarction, and continued for one year, could reduce ischaemia in these patients.
Zoë Gross is on the staff of The Pharmaceutical Journal