Stratified treatment effects across diverse populations
This Research Group operates within our department's Data Science theme and is part of the Deep Medicine group.
Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists' Collaboration
What is BPLTTC
The Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists' Collaboration (BPLTTC) is a global initiative dedicated to understanding the effects of blood pressure-lowering treatments across diverse populations. With over 360,000 participants from 52 major trials, BPLTTC provides the largest single dataset of individual participant-level randomised clinical trial data on blood pressure treatment.
what BPLTTC aims to achieve
BPLTTC aims to provide clinically relevant and reliable evidence to guide treatment strategies for hypertension and its impact on cardiovascular health. We achieve this through:
- Pooling and analysing large-scale individual participant data to enhance statistical power.
- Investigating the benefits and risks of blood pressure-lowering treatments in diverse populations.
- Providing insights into personalised treatment strategies for clinicians and policymakers.
Podcast: Blood pressure management in type 2 diabetes
In this episode of the Heart podcast, Digital Media Editor, Professor James Rudd, is joined by Professor Kazem Rahimi.
They discuss the evidence base for treating high blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes.
VIDEO: EHJ Dialogue with Prof. Kazem Rahimi on blood pressure reduction
Ongoing Research Projects
1.
Duration of blood pressure-lowering treatment and risk of major cardiovascular events: A participant-level data meta-analysis
This study will examine the cumulative effect of blood pressure-lowering treatment on cardiovascular disease risk reduction through a meta-analysis of individual participant data.
2.
Blood pressure-lowering treatment for the prevention of major cardiovascular diseases in isolated diastolic hypertension: An individual participant-level data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
This study will investigate the effect of blood pressure-lowering treatment on cardiovascular disease risk in individuals with and without isolated diastolic hypertension.
3.
Blood pressure-lowering treatment risk-benefit analysis based on cardiovascular risk: An individual participant-level data meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
This research will evaluate the risks and benefits of blood pressure reduction across different patient groups based on cardiovascular risk stratification.
4.
Blood pressure-lowering treatment for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with and without chronic kidney disease: An individual participant-level data meta-analysis
This study will assess the effect of blood pressure-lowering treatment on the risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with and without chronic kidney disease.
5.
Effects of blood pressure lowering on kidney outcomes: An individual participant-level data meta-analysis
This research will evaluate the impact of blood pressure-lowering treatment on chronic kidney disease as an outcome of interest.
6.
Blood pressure-lowering treatment for the prevention of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A trial-backed Mendelian randomisation study
This study will use data from BPLTTC to validate the findings of a drug-targeted Mendelian randomisation study assessing the role of blood pressure-lowering treatment in preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
7.
Antihypertensive drug classes for the prevention of calcific aortic stenosis: A drug-target Mendelian randomisation study
This research will use BPLTTC data to validate the results of a drug-targeted Mendelian randomisation study investigating the role of antihypertensive drug classes in the prevention of calcific aortic stenosis.
8.
Subgroup variability in the effects of pharmacological blood pressure lowering on major cardiovascular disease risk: A causal forest analysis of randomised controlled trial data
This study will assess characteristics that influence the efficacy of blood pressure-lowering treatment in reducing cardiovascular disease risk using a causal forest analysis approach.
Useful links
Contributing Trials
BPLTTC integrates data from 52 landmark clinical trials, providing a comprehensive foundation for its research.
Featured Publications
BPLTTC has produced high-impact research, with featured publications from Cycle 3 (Current Phase) published in leading journals.
The team from NDWRH
Steering Committee Members
- Prof Kazem Rahimi (Chair, University of Oxford, UK)
- Prof Barry Davis (University of Texas, USA)
- Prof Carl J. Pepine (University of Florida, USA)
- Prof John Chalmers (The George Institute for Global Health, Australia)
- Prof Koon Teo (McMaster University, Canada)
The Core Analytic Group at the University of Oxford leads the statistical analyses
- Dr Milad Nazarzadeh – Clinical Epidemiologist/Senior Research Fellow
- Dr Dexter Canoy – Clinical Epidemiologist/ Senior Lecturer
- Zeinab Bidel – Epidemiologist / Statistical Programmer
PhD students currently working on the BPLTTC project
- Qianqian Yang – DPhil student at University of Oxford
- Guyu Zeng – Visiting PhD student at University of Oxford
Our Impact
The BPLTTC has significantly advanced cardiovascular research by providing high-quality evidence to inform clinical practice and public health policy. By integrating data from over 350,000 participants across 52 major trials, BPLTTC has redefined our understanding of the benefits and risks of blood pressure-lowering treatments.
Our findings have directly influenced hypertension management guidelines, supporting risk-stratified treatment approaches that optimise benefits while minimising harm. Through innovative methodologies, including individual participant data meta-analyses, Mendelian randomisation, and causal inference techniques, we are driving progress in precision medicine for cardiovascular care.
Our research not only enhances understanding of treatment effectiveness but also informs safer prescribing practices by assessing the impact on serious adverse events. With a steadfast commitment to scientific rigour, patient-centred research, and global collaboration, BPLTTC continues to shape the future of hypertension management and cardiovascular disease prevention.
Funding
Initially supported by pharmaceutical industry grants, since 2005, BPLTTC has exclusively relied on peer-reviewed funding sources, including:
- British Heart Foundation (BHF)
- UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
- Oxford Martin School
Join us
BPLTTC welcomes collaborations with researchers, clinicians, and policymakers worldwide. If you are interested in contributing to meta-analyses, clinical trial data sharing, or collaborative research, please email kazem.Rahimi@wrh.ox.ac.uk.
Governance: BPLTTC is coordinated by a research team at the University of Oxford and governed by a Steering Committee chaired by Dr Kazem Rahimi. The committee includes leading researchers who provide scientific oversight and strategic direction.