Aliskiren in Combination With Losartan Compared to Losartan on the Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Overweight Patients With Essential Hypertension

A 36-week, Randomized, Double-blind, Multi-center, Parallel Group Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Aliskiren in Combination With Losartan Compared to Losartan on the Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Overweight Patients With Essential Hypertension

To compare the efficacy and safety of aliskiren in combination with losartan compared to losartan on the regression of the increased size of the left ventricle in overweight patients with high blood pressure.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with essential hypertension
• Patients with a BMI > 25 kg/m2
• Patients with LVH (LVWT ≥ 1.3 cm) confirmed by the ECHO

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients treated with an ACE or an ARB within 3 months of study entry (Study Visit 1) who are unable or unwilling to undergo the 3 month washout period.
• Patients treated with an ACE and ARB combination at study entry.
• Known secondary hypertension of any etiology (e.g., uncorrected renal artery stenosis).

Other protocol related inclusion/exclusion criteria applied to the study.