Reference: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, published early online on 10 March 2013
Source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology
Date published: 12/03/2013 17:02

Summary
by: Hina Radia
According to data presented at the American Society of Cardiology annual meeting, and published early online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology

, ranolazine reduced episodes of chest pain in patients with diabetes.

Researchers examined the efficacy of ranolazine versus placebo on weekly angina frequency in patients with type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), and chronic stable angina who remain symptomatic despite treatment with up to 2 anti-anginal agents.

The trial, Type 2 Diabetes Evaluation of Ranolazine in Subjects With Chronic Stable Angina (TERISA) was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which patients were randomised to twice daily placebo (n=465) or ranolazine 500mg bd (increased to 100mg bd if appropriate) for 8 weeks (n=462). Anginal episodes and nitroglycerin use were recorded with daily entry into a novel electronic diary. Primary outcome was the average weekly number of anginal episodes over the last 6 weeks of the study.

The following results were reported:

• Weekly angina frequency was statistically significantly lower with ranolazine versus placebo (3.8 [3.6-4.1] vs. 4.3 [4.0-4.5] episodes, P=0.008), as was the weekly sublingual nitroglycerin use (1.7 [1.6-1.9] vs. 2.1 [1.9-2.3] doses, P=0.003).

• There was no difference in the incidence of serious adverse events between groups.

The researchers concluded that among patients with diabetes and chronic angina despite treatment with up to 2 agents, ranolazine reduced angina and sublingual nitroglycerin use and was well tolerated.

G Mohan