Servier’s ACE inhibitor Coversyl (perindopril) significantly reduces the risk of death and hospitalisation for heart failure following heart attack in elderly patients. This conclusion is based on results of the landmark PREAMI study presented on 4 September at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Stockholm.

Significantly, treatment with Coversyl also reduced cardiac remodelling, ie. silent, progressive changes in the heart that result in heart failure. Previous studies have shown that ACE inhibitors prevent cardiac remodelling after a heart attack in younger patients with damaged left-ventricular function. PREAMI is, however, the first trial to test an ACE inhibitor in older patients with preserved function - a group that is common in clinical practice.

Servier consequently has good reason to be pleased with PREAMI, especially as the study follows up EUROPA, which demonstrated that Coversyl prevents cardiovascular death and heart attack in patients with coronary artery disease regardless of their cardiovascular risk.

Coversyl is licensed worldwide for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure. The drug has recently received European approval for a new indication in stable coronary artery disease to reduce the risk of cardiac events in patients with a history of heart attack and/or revascularisation. In the US, the FDA has also approved a label extension for a similar indication [[25/08/05d]]. Coversyl is marketed by Servier in 118 countries (other trade names include Coverex, Acertil and Prestarium), and is marketed in the USA by Solvay and CV Therapeutics under the trade name Aceon.

By Sue Lyon in Stockholm.