An investigational drug to combat heart disease by increasing the levels of good cholesterol Merck has identified an obstacle important security – and also demonstrated the effectiveness.

A study presented today at a meeting of the American Heart Association (and published online by NEJM) concluded that the drug, anacetrapib, did not substantially increase the risk of euphemistically called “cardiovascular events,” including heart attack, stroke and death.

The WSJ reports, study of some 1 600 people who had heart disease or were at risk of developing, it was found that the drug produces no change in blood pressure, electrolytes or aldosterone levels, a hormone that affects blood pressure.

That is remarkable, because a similar drug, torcetrapib, has been discarded by Pfizer almost four years after that research has shown that it increases the relative risk of death.High blood pressure and aldosterone levels were pegged as factors behind the risk.

The study presented today also looked at the effectiveness of the anacetrapib and found patients taking the drug has seen levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) drops by about 40% and things good (HDL) levels increased 138%.

Merck has persisted despite the similarity extraite.La company Pfizer drug anacetrapib development said data published today serve as a basis to proceed with a planned clinical trial of 30 000 people in 2011.Que study will test whether reduced Statin anacetrapib adding the risk of death and heart attacks.

Photo: Associated press

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