Isradipine

Comparative studies

The MIDAS study [ ] was a randomized trial of isradipine versus hydrochlorothiazide over 3 years in 883 patients, designed primarily to assess the effect on the rate of progression of medial intimal thickness in carotid arteries. The control of diastolic blood pressure was equivalent in both groups, but mean systolic blood pressure was 3.5 mmHg higher in isradipine group at 6 months, a significant difference that persisted throughout the study. This might explain the higher incidence of vascular events with isradipine, although there was no difference in the rate of progression of medial intimal thickness between the groups.