Efficacy of long‐term oral telmisartan treatment in cats with hypertension: Results of a prospective European clinical trial

Background Efficacy of telmisartan in treating hypertension (HT) in cats has not been largely investigated. Objective Telmisartan oral solution effectively controls systolic arterial blood pressure (SABP) in hypertensive cats. Animals Two‐hundred eighty‐five client‐owned cats with systemic HT. Methods Prospective, multicenter, placebo‐controlled, randomized, double‐blinded study. Hypertensive cats diagnosed with SABP ≥160 mmHg and ≤200 mmHg without target‐organ‐damage were randomized (2 : 1 ratio) to receive 2 mg/kg telmisartan or placebo q24 PO. A 28‐day efficacy phase was followed by a 120‐day extended use phase. Efficacy was defined as significant difference in mean SABP reduction between telmisartan and placebo on Day 14 and group mean reduction in SABP of > 20 mmHg by telmisartan on Day 28 compared to baseline. Results Two‐hundred fifty‐two cats completed the efficacy and 144 cats the extended use phases. Mean SABP reduction at Day 14 differed significantly between groups ( P < .001). Telmisartan reduced baseline SABP of 179 mmHg by 19.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.92‐22.52) and 24.6 (95% CI: 21.11‐28.14) mmHg at Days 14 and 28. The placebo group baseline SABP of 177 mmHg was reduced by 9.0 (95% CI: 5.30‐12.80) and 11.4 (95% CI: 7.94‐14.95) mmHg, respectively. Of note, 52% of telmisartan‐treated cats had SABP <150 mmHg at Day 28. Mean SABP reduction by telmisartan in severe (≥180 mmHg) and moderate HT (160‐179 mmHg) was comparable and persistent over time. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Telmisartan solution (PO) was effective in reducing SABP in hypertensive cats with SABP ≥160 mmHg and ≤200 mmHg.