The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7215 p355
14 September 2002

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European Society of Cardiology (www.escardio.org)
The Lancet (www.thelancet.com)

LIFE trial

The angiotensin II antagonist losartan (Cozaar) can cut stroke risk by 49 per cent in patients who have atrial fibrillation, compared with standard beta-blocker therapy. A new analysis of LIFE (losartan intervention for endpoint reduction in hypertension) trial data shows 12 per cent of patients taking losartan had a stroke, compared with 21.3 per cent of those taking atenolol. Previous results showed losartan decreased stroke risk in hypertensive patients by a quarter compared with atenolol (Lancet 2002;359:995).

This trial update was presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Berlin earlier this month, which The Journal attended courtesy of Merck Sharp & Dohme