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(Stroke. 2003;34:1699.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

The ACCESS Study

Evaluation of Acute Candesartan Cilexetil Therapy in Stroke Survivors

Joachim Schrader, MD; Stephan Lüders, MD; Anke Kulschewski, MD; Jürgen Berger, PhD; Walter Zidek, MD; Johannes Treib, MD; Karl Einhäupl, MD; Hans Christoph Diener, MD Peter Dominiak, MD on behalf of the ACCESS Study Group

From the Department of Internal Medicine, St Josefs Hospital Cloppenburg (J.S., S.L., A.K.); Institute for Mathematics and Medical Statistics, University Hamburg-Eppendorf (J.B.); Department of Nephrology, Klinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin (W.Z.); Department of Neurology, Westpfalz Klinikum Kaiserslautern (J.T.); Department of Neurology, Charité, Humbold University Berlin (K.E.); Department of Neurology, University of Essen (H.C.D.); and Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck (P.D.), Germany.

Correspondence to Dr Joachim Schrader, St Josefs Hospital, Krankenhausstrasse 13, D-49661 Cloppenburg, Germany. E-mail j.schrader{at}kh-clp.de

	Abstract

Top Abstract Introduction Subjects and Methods Results Discussion Appendix References

 
Background and Purpose— The Acute Candesartan Cilexetil Therapy in Stroke Survivors (ACCESS) study was designed to assess the safety of modest blood pressure reduction by candesartan cilexetil in the early treatment of stroke. The study was also designed to provide an estimate of the number of cases required to perform a larger phase III efficacy study.

Methods— Five hundred patients were recruited in a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter phase II study.

Results— This safety trial was stopped prematurely when 342 patients (339 valid) had been randomized because of an imbalance in end points. Demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, and blood pressure on admission, on study onset, and within the whole study period were not significantly different between the 2 groups. However, the cumulative 12-month mortality and the number of vascular events differed significantly in favor of the candesartan cilexetil group (odds ratio, 0.475; 95% CI, 0.252 to 0.895). There were no significant differences in concomitant medication and in number or type of side effects.

Conclusions— Although the mechanisms by which angiotensin type 1 (AT₁) receptor blockade affects cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are still unresolved, the present study shows that early neurohumoral inhibition has similar beneficial effects in cerebral and in myocardial ischemia. The fact that no cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event occurred as a result of hypotension is of significant clinical importance. When there is need for or no contraindication against early antihypertensive therapy, candesartan cilexetil is a safe therapeutic option according to the ACCESS results.

Key Words: antihypertensive therapy • benzimidazoles • blood pressure • stroke, acute

	Introduction

Top Abstract Introduction Subjects and Methods Results Discussion Appendix References

 
Antihypertensive therapy in acute cerebral ischemia has been a matter of debate for several years.^1–4 The current recommendation to tolerate acute hypertension in cerebral ischemia is based on the concept of disturbed autoregulation of cerebral blood flow in the penumbra surrounding the zone of necrosis. Given a pressure-dependent perfusion in the penumbra, any decrease in blood pressure is expected to impair tissue perfusion.⁵ Despite the well-founded theoretical basis of current practice, evidence-based data are lacking. In the Intravenous Nimodipine West European Stroke Trial (INWEST), the rapid hypotensive action of intravenous nimodipine was shown to involve the risk of neurological deterioration.⁶ In contrast, experimental and clinical studies demonstrated that a cautious reduction of blood pressure may even improve the prognosis in acute cerebral ischemia.^7,8 Thus, we are clearly in need of more detailed data on how antihypertensive treatment affects outcome in acute stroke.

Recent literature on antihypertensive treatment in coronary and renal vascular disease indicates an emerging conceptual shift from lowering blood pressure to specific organ-protective effects. Whereas numerous earlier studies confirmed a benefit of antihypertensive treatment per se, there is now increasing evidence indicating that inhibition of neurohumoral activation confers clinical benefit beyond the effects of blood pressure reduction.⁹ On the basis of these studies, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition is well established not only in the long-term treatment but also in the early management of myocardial infarction.^10–12 Likewise, ACE inhibition and angiotensin type 1 (AT₁) receptor blockade appear to be renoprotective independent of their hypotensive effects.^13,14 Moreover, there is emerging evidence indicating that AT₁ receptor blockade is also protective against stroke. The convincing data supporting the favorable effects of neurohumoral inhibition beyond any hemodynamic effects in renal and coronary vasculature provided a basis for studying the effects of AT₁ receptor blockade in the setting of acute cerebral ischemia.

The Acute Candesartan Cilexetil Therapy in Stroke Survivors (ACCESS) study was designed to assess the safety of modest blood pressure reduction in the early treatment of stroke. The study was also designed to provide an estimate of the number of cases required to perform a larger phase III efficacy study.¹⁵ ACCESS is an investigator-initiated study with support by an unrestricted grant from ASTRA Zeneca, Germany.

	Subjects and Methods

Top Abstract Introduction Subjects and Methods Results Discussion Appendix References

 
Patient Population
In this prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter phase II study, 500 patients were recruited. The sample size of 250 patients per group was chosen to provide information about the reduction in case fatality and disability rate by treating patients immediately with candesartan cilexetil. This sample size was large enough to detect a reduction in the event rate by 6% to 12% compared with the placebo group, with an assumed event rate between 15% and 40% and with a statistical power of 80% and 1-tailed Fisher test at the 5% level (=0.05). The study was performed in agreement with the basic principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and after permission was given by the ethical committee of the State Medical Board of Lower Saxony and all local ethical committees. This was an investigator-initiated study.

Inclusion criteria were a motor deficit, a cerebral CT scan excluding intracranial hemorrhage, and the necessity to treat hypertension according to current recommendations.¹ This was assumed when the mean of at least 2 blood pressure measurements was 200 mm Hg systolic and/or 110 mm Hg diastolic 6 to 24 hours after admission or 180 mm Hg systolic and/or 105 mm Hg diastolic 24 to 36 hours after admission.

Exclusion criteria were age >85 years, disorders in consciousness potentially preventing acquisition of consent, occlusion or >70% stenosis of the internal carotid artery, malignant hypertension, manifest cardiac failure (New York Heart Association class III and IV), high-grade aortic or mitral stenosis, unstable angina pectoris, or contraindications against candesartan cilexetil.

All patients received carotid ultrasound examination before randomization. The vital status of all patients was ascertained. All patients received a clinical examination on admission. A full neurological examination was performed with recording of neurological deficits and state of consciousness.

Further diagnostic measures included assessment by Rankin Scale and Barthel Index (BI) (on admission and discharge), ECG, echocardiography (optional), laboratory investigations, and tests according to clinical requirements.

The following laboratory values were determined before randomization and before discharge: electrolytes, creatinine, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, hemoglobin, platelet count, blood glucose, coagulation rate (prothrombin time, thrombin time, fibrinogen), and urinalysis (blood, glucose, protein, microalbuminuria) (once during stay in hospital). Creatinine and electrolytes were checked within the first 3 days of when the investigational medication was started again.

Blood Pressure Control
The target reduction in blood pressure was 10% to 15% within 24 hours. The reduction in blood pressure was taken as the mean value of 2 measurements within 30 minutes. In the first 3 days, occasional measurements of blood pressure were performed by nurses or automatically throughout the day at 1- to 2-hour intervals and during the night at 2- to 3-hour intervals. On day 7 an automatic 24-hour recording of blood pressure was performed.

Treatment Design
Treatment was started with 4 mg candesartan cilexetil daily or placebo on day 1. On day 2, dosage was increased to 8 or 16 mg candesartan cilexetil or placebo if blood pressure exceeded 160 mm Hg systolic or 100 mm Hg diastolic. Treatment was targeted to a 10% to 15% blood pressure reduction within 24 hours. When blood pressure was >230 mm Hg systolic or >115 mm Hg diastolic for >30 minutes on day 1 or 2 or on the following days >200 mm Hg systolic or >110 mm Hg diastolic for >30 minutes, an acute intervention (urapidil) was allowed.

In all patients a 24-hour blood pressure profile was obtained on day 7. In patients in the candesartan cilexetil group who showed a hypertensive profile (mean daytime blood pressure >135/85 mm Hg), candesartan cilexetil was increased or an additional antihypertensive drug (hydrochlorothiazide, felodipine, metoprolol) was added. In placebo-treated patients showing a hypertensive profile, candesartan cilexetil was started and was adjusted to lower blood pressure to <140/90 mm Hg (office blood pressure) or <135/85 mm Hg (mean daytime blood pressure, automatic blood pressure monitoring). Patients who showed a normotensive profile on placebo (n=2) did not receive antihypertensive medication. Follow-up examinations (blood pressure, neurological index/status, adverse events, medication) were performed after 3, 6, and 12 months (Figure 1).

View larger version (25K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Study design. BP indicates blood pressure; antihypert Treatm, antihypertensive treatment.

Assessment of Outcomes
The primary end point was defined to include case fatality and disability, measured as functional status with the use of the BI¹⁶ 3 months after the end of a placebo-controlled 7-day phase. Cerebral complications are hemorrhages, recurrent stroke, reduction in state of consciousness, and development of cerebral edema. Cardiac complications are any cardiovascular event (including myocardial infarction) and heart failure. BI was excluded post hoc for analysis of a combined end point because new data show that BI is not useful for assessing minor deficits at a high functional level. Because of its U-shaped distribution, the BI is an inappropriate outcome measure for this sample size.¹⁷ The combined secondary end point included overall mortality and cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events occurring within the study period. The secondary end point was assessed 12 months after hospital discharge. Terminating events for analysis were all "first events" after randomization. End points were confirmed by hospital discharge reports. All end points were evaluated during on-site monitoring by independent physicians who were familiar with stroke therapy.

Statistical Analysis
All statistical analyses were performed with the use of SPSS for windows. Quantitative variables were given as mean (SD). Nominal variables are tabulated as absolute and/or relative (percentage) frequencies. The frequency comparisons were made by Fisher exact tests. Odds ratios and 95% CIs were calculated according to the Mantel-Haenszel test. The mean comparisons were performed with the use of the Mann-Whitney U test. The cumulative event rates were presented as Kaplan-Meier curves and compared with the log-rank test.

The significance level was fixed at 5%. The primary question was to test whether the overall event rate was lower in the candesartan cilexetil group than in the placebo group. All other comparisons should be considered exploratory data analyses. Therefore, no adjustment for the error of the first kind (=0.05) was applied.

	Results

Top Abstract Introduction Subjects and Methods Results Discussion Appendix References

 
This safety trial was stopped prematurely on the recommendation of the safety committee, which was blinded concerning treatment, when 342 patients (339 valid) (Figure 2) had been randomized because of an imbalance in end points.

View larger version (22K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. Patient recruitment and follow-up.

Demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, and blood pressure on admission, on study onset, and within the whole study period were not significantly different between both groups (candesartan cilexetil versus placebo: age, 68.3 versus 67.8 years; male sex, 50% versus 52%; diabetes mellitus in 39% versus 35%; coronary heart disease in 22% versus 19%; hyperlipidemia in 43% versus 45%, respectively) (Table and Figure 3). The study was initiated on average 29.9 versus 29.7 hours after recognition of the symptoms.

View this table: [in this window] [in a new window]   Baseline Characteristics on Admission, Barthel Index at 3 Months, Cumulative Mortality Until 12 Months, and Vascular Events

View larger version (19K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 3. Blood pressure over time (days). Syst indicates systolic blood pressure; diast, diastolic blood pressure.

No significant differences in blood pressure were evident between the groups on hospital admission (candesartan cilexetil versus placebo: 196/103 versus 199/102 mm Hg) and on study onset (candesartan cilexetil versus placebo: 188/99 versus 190/99 mm Hg). During the placebo-controlled phase in the first 7 days, blood pressure levels were similar in both groups. Likewise, in the subsequent 12 months of follow-up, no significant differences in blood pressure were apparent (Figure 3). In 164 of 166 patients in the placebo group, candesartan cilexetil was started on day 7 because of a hypertensive 24-hour blood pressure profile and was continued throughout the study.

The BI revealed no significant differences on day 0 and after 3 months (candesartan cilexetil versus placebo: day 0, 60.0 [SD 30.24] versus 64.1 [SD 27.53]; 3 months, 87.0 [SD 22.91] versus 88.9 [SD 88.9]).

In contrast, the cumulative 12-month mortality (candesartan cilexetil versus placebo: 5 [2.9%] versus 12 [7.2%]; P=0.07) and the number of vascular events (candesartan cilexetil versus placebo: 17 [9.8%] versus 31 [18.7%]; P=0.026) differed significantly in favor of the candesartan cilexetil group (candesartan cilexetil versus placebo: cardiovascular events, fatal [death] and nonfatal: 2 versus 10; cerebrovascular events, fatal [death] and nonfatal: 13 versus 19; noncardiovascular mortality: 1 versus 1; pulmonary embolism: 1 versus 1). The odds ratio was 0.475 (95% CI, 0.252 to 0.895). The cumulative event rates are plotted in Figure 4. There were no significant differences regarding the use of concomitant medication on hospital admission or during follow-up (in particular acetylsalicylic acid, ß-blockers, antihypertensive agents).

View larger version (17K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 4. Cumulative event rate.

Drug tolerance and number or type of undesirable effects did not differ significantly between the 2 groups.

	Discussion

Top Abstract Introduction Subjects and Methods Results Discussion Appendix References

 
The data reveal that a 7-day course of candesartan after an acute ischemic stroke significantly improves cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Moreover, the same favorable effect is not achieved when candesartan is started 7 days after an acute stroke has occurred. Given that candesartan treatment in the first week after an acute stroke profoundly affects cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, the question of the underlying mechanisms is currently difficult to answer. Clearly, hemodynamic effects of AT₁ receptor blockade most likely do not play a role. However, it is known that angiotensin II principally affects vascular tone and structure via 2 different pathways: vasoconstriction is mainly mediated via G proteins activating phospholipase C, which in turn releases inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol, inducing cellular Ca²⁺ release and transmembrane Ca²⁺ influx, respectively. On the other hand, vascular growth and hence the role of angiotensin II in vascular remodeling are known to be mediated via a pathway starting with activation of the Src family of tyrosine kinases, stimulation of the small G protein Ras, activation of the serine/threonine kinase Raf-1, and subsequently the threonine/tyrosine kinase and the mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK1/2. It is conceivable that the structural effects of AT₁ receptor blockade may be effective, while the hemodynamic effects are counterbalanced by the complex interplay of blood pressure–regulating neurohumoral systems.

The favorable effects of early AT₁ receptor blockade are mainly due to a lower incidence of myocardial ischemic events. However, recurrent cerebral ischemic events did not significantly contribute to the differences in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. How can the modulation of cerebrovascular remodeling then be linked with improved cardiovascular survival? Indeed, there are sound data providing a link between incidence of cardiac death and central autonomic nervous function. Impaired central autonomic regulation was shown to be associated with increased mortality from myocardial infarction.¹⁸ It is conceivable that early local angiotensin II effects may affect not only early but also long-term autonomic function. Such a link is further suggested from studies dealing with other organ systems. The beneficial effect of early ACE inhibition on survival after myocardial infarction lends support to the view that early vascular remodeling profoundly affects cardiovascular survival.¹⁹ The fact that the benefit did not arise immediately, but instead appeared to increase during follow-up, is analogous with data acquired from cardiac intervention studies involving lysis therapy or ACE inhibitors.²⁰ Although the mechanisms by which AT₁ receptor blockade affects cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are still unresolved, the present study shows that early neurohumoral inhibition has similar beneficial effects in cerebral and in myocardial ischemia.

The fact that no cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event occurred as a result of hypotension is of significant clinical importance. When there is need for or no contraindication against early antihypertensive therapy, candesartan cilexetil is a safe therapeutic option according to the ACCESS results.

	Appendix

Top Abstract Introduction Subjects and Methods Results Discussion Appendix References

 
ACCESS Participating Centers and Study Investigators
Locations are listed in alphabetical order: Caritas-Krankenhaus Bad Mergentheim (H.D. Bundschu), Neurologische Klinik Gmbh Rhön Klinikum Bad Neustadt/Saale (S. Schlesinger), Kreiskrankenhaus Borna (P. Wolf), Kreiskrankenhaus Buchholz, Neurologische Abteilung (K. Luckner), Kreiskrankenhaus Großburgwedel (A. Schönborn), Krankenhaus Flemmingstraße Chemnitz (D. Wittig), St Josefs Hospital Cloppenburg (J. Schrader), St Josef-Stift Delmenhorst (W. Pape), Kreiskrankenhaus Demmin (E. Wolff), Klinikum Lippe-Detmold (U. Tebbe), St Rochus-Krankenhaus-Innere Abteilung Dieburg (J. Fröhlich), Krankenhaus Dresden (E. Altmann), Krankenhaus Dresden-Friedrichstadt (H. Porst), Klinikum Mansfelder Land Eisleben (J. Fleischer), Universitätskliniken Essen Neurologische Klinik (H.C. Diener), Kreiskrankenhaus Eutin (O. Freudentaler), Neurologische Universitätsklinik Freiburg (C.H. Lücking), Med. Uni-u.Poliklinik–Nephrologie Freiburg (L.C. Rump), Städt. Klinikum Fulda, Neurologie (H.-D. Langohr), Main-Kinzig-Kliniken, Kreiskrankenhaus Gelnhausen (H. von Lilienfeld-Toal), Wald-Klinikum Gera (G. Heil), KreiskrankenhausGifhorn (H. Meyer-Lehnert), Med. Klinik Uni Göttingen (E. Schulz), BG Klinik Stadt Halle-Bergmannstrost (J. Barth), Krankenhaus Mariahilf Hamburg (G. Planz), Krankenhaus Rissen Hamburg (B.-D. Weiß), Ev. Krankenhaus-Innere Medizin Hamm (T. Weber), St Anna Hospital Herne (F. Wessels), Evangelisches Krankenhaus Holzminden (C. Manegold), Universitätsklinik des Saarlandes Homburg (A. Haaß), Westpfalz Klinikum Neurologie Kaiserslautern (J. Treib), St Vincentius-Krankenhäuser Karlsruhe (B.-D. Gonska), Marienkrankenhaus Kassel (M. Konermann), Ludmillenstift Meppen (G. Dust), Neurologische Klinik TU München (D. Sander), Clemenshospital Münster (P. Baumgart), Raphaelsklinik Münster (C. Spieker), Albert-Schweitzer-Krankenhaus Northeim (P. Kleine), Ev. Krankenhaus Oldenburg (A. Engelhardt), Krankenhaus St Raphael Ostercappeln (U. Billenkamp), Marienkrankenhaus GmbH Papenburg (P. Pollock), Krankenhaus des LK Peine (R. Raap), Vogtland-Klinikum Plauen (R. Lorenz), Kreiskrankenhaus "Dr Paul Kirchner" Radeberg (M. Czech), Heidekreis Klinikum GmbH Krankenhaus Soltau (D. Brinkmann), Med. Klinik KH Stade (G. Lockert), Krankenhaus Landkreis Starnberg (P. Trenkwalder), Klinikum der Hansestadt Stralsund (B. Mundt), Ev. Elisabeth KrankenhausTrier (B.-D. Krönig), St Marien Hospital Vechta (K.-M. Musolf), Josephs Hospital Innere Abteilung Warendorf (R. Kahlert), Kreiskrankenhaus Ammerland Neurologie Westerstede (U.-A. Besinger), Neurologie Horst-Schmidt-Klinikum Wiesbaden (B. Weisner), Georgius Agricola Klinikum Zeitz (J. Truckenbrock).

	Acknowledgments

 
This study was supported by ASTRA Zeneca Germany.

	Footnotes

 
A complete list of participating centers and study investigators who contributed data to this study appears in the Appendix, which is available online at http://stroke.ahajournals.org.

Received September 24, 2002; revision received December 12, 2002; accepted January 14, 2003.

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