Effects of verapamil added-on trandolapril therapy in hypertensive type 2 diabetes patients with microalbuminuria: the BENEDICT-B randomized trial

Objectives: To address whether nondihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker added-on angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor therapy ameliorates albuminuria and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes patients. Design: The Bergamo Nephrologic Diabetes Complications Trial-B was a multicentre, prospective, double-blind, parallel-group trial comparing renal and cardiovascular outcomes in 281 hypertensive type 2 diabetes patients with microalbuminuria randomized to at least 2-year VeraTran (verapamil/trandolapril 180 mg/2 mg daily) or trandolapril (2 mg daily, identical image) treatment. Main outcome was persistent macroalbuminuria (albuminuria >200 μg/min in two consecutive visits). Treatment targets were SBP/DBP less than 120/80 mmHg and HbA1C less than 7%. Results: Over a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 18 patients (13%) on VeraTran vs. 15 (10.5%) on trandolapril [unadjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) 1.07 (0.54-2.12), P = 0.852] progressed to macroalbuminuria, respectively; 62 (44.9%) vs. 71 (49.7%) [0.80 (0.57-1.12), P = 0.198] regressed to normoalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion