Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism Clinical Evaluation in Atherosclerosis Trial

Exclusion Criteria

• •1. Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP\>160 and/or DBP\>95 mmHg at visit 0 (screening) and SBP \>145 mm Hg at visit 2).
• •2. GFR (MDRD) of \<15 at Visit 0 (screening).
• •3. Hyperkalemia defined as serum K+≥ 5.1 meq/L at visit 0 (screening).
• •4. LDL cholesterol \>150 mg/dl.
• •5. Plasma triglycerides \>400 mg/dl.
• •6. Contraindications to MRI (metallic implants, severe claustrophobia).
• •7. Acute coronary syndrome, Transient ischemic attack, CVA or critical limb ischemia during the last 6 months or coronary/peripheral revascularization within the last 3 months.
• •8. Evidence of a secondary form of hypertension.
• •9. Initiation of new therapy with statins, ACEI/ARB, anti-oxidants, CCBs, diuretics, β blockers.
• •10. Type I diabetes mellitus
• •11. Known contraindication, including history of allergy to Spironolactone.
• •12. . Any surgical or medical condition which might alter pharmacokinetics of drug (e.g. renal transplant, liver failure, liver transplant).
• •13. Concurrent potentially life threatening arrhythmia or symptomatic arrhythmia.
• •14. Significant hyponatremia defined as Na \<130 meq/L.
• •15. History of prior malignancy including leukemia and lymphoma (but not basal cell skin cancer, cured squamous cell cancer and localized Prostate cancer).
• •16. History of any severe, life-threatening disease.
• •17. Any surgical or medical conditions which places the patient at higher risk derived from his/her participation into the study, or likely to prevent patient from complying with requirements.
• •18. History of drug abuse within the last 2 years, noncompliance and unwillingness/inability to consent.
• •19. Pregnant women and nursing mothers.
• •20. Class III or IV Congestive Heart Failure.
• •21. Primary Hyperaldosteronism.