Role of β-blockers in the cardiovascular disease continuum: a collaborative Delphi survey-based consensus from Asia-Pacific.

Objective: This Delphi method of consensus was designed to develop scientific statements for β-blockers in the continuum of cardiovascular diseases with a special focus on the role of bisoprolol.

Methods: Eleven experienced cardiologists from across the Asia-Pacific countries participated in two rounds of the survey. In the first round, experts were asked to rate agreement/disagreement with 35 statements across seven domains regarding the use of β-blockers for treating hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery diseases, co-morbidities, as well as their safety profile, usage pattern, and pharmacokinetic variability.

Effectiveness and safety of aliskiren and aliskiren hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in a multiethnic, real-world setting.

Introduction: Numerous randomized clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of aliskiren and aliskiren hydrochlorothiazide (aliskiren HCT) single-pill combination therapy in patients with hypertension. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of aliskiren-based therapy under daily life conditions in a multiethnic population.

Methods: This observational, multicenter, noninterventional study, conducted at 420 centers in Asia and the Middle East, included adult patients with hypertension who received treatment with aliskiren or aliskiren HCT as single or add-on therapy for a planned treatment period of at least 26 weeks.