Routine renin-angiotensin system blockade in renal transplantation?
There is ample evidence to support the recommendation of renin-angiotensin system blockade therapy as the standard of care for strategies aimed at preserving renal function in chronic renal disease. Nevertheless, despite the well established antihypertensive effects of these drugs, the use of renin-angiotensin system blockers in renal transplantation has been quite limited so far, nephrologists being afraid of the possibility of inducing renal insufficiency in patients with a single kidney transplant. However, current knowledge of the ability of these agents to control blood pressure and urinary protein excretion, as well as post-transplant erythrocytosis, effectively in kidney transplant recipients suggests that it is now time to apply renin-angiotensin system blockers to the field of renal transplantation.
Remuzzi
Giuseppe
G
Department of Immunology and Clinic of Organ Transplantation, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo and Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Bergamo, Italy. gremuzzi@marionegri.it
Perico
Norberto
N
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D011086:Polycythemia / Q000209:etiology; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1