VIENNA — Spironolactone , a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), does not reduce the rates of cardiovascular (CV) death or heart failure in patients undergoing maintenance dialysis, according to ACHIEVE trial results.

In addition, the relatively high rates of hyperkalemia associated with the drug — despite a run-in period — limit its use, said lead investigator Michael Walsh, MD, PhD, Renal Research Program, Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, who presented the results at the 62nd European Renal Association Congress on June 6.

He added: “Cardiovascular mortality remains very high” in these patients, at the “somewhat astounding” rate of 11% per year in the current trial.

The ACHIEVE Trial

Previous trials have suggested that MRAs are perhaps the

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