title: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in atherosclerosis.
abstract: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) effectively interfere with the renin-angiotensin system and exert various beneficial actions on cardiac and vascular structure and function, beyond their blood pressure-lowering effects. Randomized, controlled clinical trials have shown that ACE inhibitors improve endothelial function, cardiac and vascular remodeling, retard the anatomic progression of atherosclerosis, and reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. Therefore, these agents are recommended in the treatment of a wide range of patients at risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including those with coronary disease, prior stroke, peripheral arterial disease, high-risk diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure. ARBs are effective blood pressure- lowering and renoprotective agents and can be used in heart failure in patients who do not tolerate ACE inhibitors. The role of ARBs in the prevention of atherosclerosis and its sequelae is currently under investigation. The use of combined ACE inhibitor plus ARB therapy offers theoretical advantages over the use of each of these agents alone and is also under investigation in large, randomized clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology and Population Health Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton General Hospital, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, ON L8L 2X2, Canada. lonnem@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lonn
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin