The George Institute secures grant for trial of low-dose blood pressure combination in recurrent stroke prevention

Dr Sonali Gnanenthiran, Research Fellow at The George Institute, Conjoint Senior Clinical Lecturer at Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney and staff specialist cardiologist at Concord Repatriation General Hospital in Sydney, has secured a Cardiovascular Early-Mid Career Researcher Grant from NSW Health for the LOTUS Trial: LOw dose anti-hypertensive combinations To improve stroke oUtcomeS.

Dr Gnanenthiran’s research will focus on improving blood pressure control. High blood pressure is the single most treatable risk factor for stroke prevention. The majority of stroke survivors have uncontrolled high blood pressure, leading to recurrent cardiovascular events. 

NSW has the highest number of stroke survivors in Australia, with more than 150,000 people affected. With the cost of strokes nationally estimated at $32 billion a year, urgent action is required to reduce rates of recurrent events in survivors. 

The LOTUS trial will assess a new model of care to engage stroke survivors in blood pressure management and promote physician action. Central to the plan to improve stroke care is a new triple mechanism combination treatment for the control of blood pressure, which is being developed by George Medicines. For the first time, ultra-low and low-dose combinations will be available, in addition to a standard dose triple combination. This will offer stroke specialists the opportunity to assess the benefits of triple therapy earlier in the treatment process and simplify titration via nurse-led telehealth. Combining three medicines into one pill is also expected to reduce the cost and help expand access in vulnerable stroke populations. Results are expected to drive updates to clinical guidelines and influence payer policies for stroke.