(Vienna, 31st August 2003) Data presented today at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) annual meeting demonstrated Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) to reduce both cardiovascular deaths as well as hospital admissions for heart failure, across a broad spectrum of patients with chronic heart failure.

Importantly, Atacand is the first Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) to increase survival in chronic heart failure patients with left ventricular dysfunction, whether or not they are taking an ACE-inhibitor.

CHARM co-chairman, Professor Karl Swedberg, Gteborg University and Sahlgrenska University Hospital/stra, Gteborg, Sweden introduced the rationale behind the CHARM Programme: "While the incidence of most cardiovascular disease is stabilising, chronic heart failure remains a serious and costly condition with patients being symptomatic and at risk of early death. Although major advances in the treatment of heart failure have occurred in the last decade or so, there is still a real need for additional, effective therapies and this requirement led us to devise the CHARM Programme in order to evaluate the clinical benefits of candesartan in the treatment of this debilitating and distressing condition".

The CHARM Programme, which recruited 7,601 patients, is the largest ever trial programme conducted in heart failure with an AT1-receptor blocker. Patients with classic symptomatic chronic heart failure depressed left ventricular (LV) systolic function (Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) < 40%), were randomised into one of two studies either an ACE-inhibitor intolerant population (CHARM-Alternative), or the population treated with ACE-inhibitors (CHARM-Added). In addition, patients with preserved LV systolic function (LVEF> 40%) were also randomised into a third study (CHARM-Preserved). All patients received either Atacand (candesartan cilexetil) or placebo.

CHARM-Alternative

In patients who were not taking ACE-in
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Contact: Mark Chamberlain
mark.chamberlain@ketchum.com
44-20-7611-3649
Ketchum
2-Sep-2003

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