Novel angiotensin II inhibitors in cardiovascular medicine.
Blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone cascade is now recognised as a very effective approach to treat hypertensive, heart failure and high cardiovascular risk patients and to retard the development of renal failure. The purpose of this review is to discuss the state of development of currently available drugs blocking the renin-angiotensin system, such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, renin inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor antagonists, with a special emphasis on the results of the most recent trials conducted with AT(2) receptor antagonists in heart failure and Type 2 diabetes. In addition, the future perspectives of drugs with dual mechanisms of action, such as NEP/ACE inhibitors, also named vasopeptidase inhibitors, are presented.
Burnier
M
M
Division of Hypertension and Vascular Medicine,Av. P. Decker, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Michel.Burnier@chuv.hospvd.ch
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors
D000804:Angiotensin II; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D000092502:Renin Inhibitors