title: Combination is better than monotherapy with ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor antagonist at recommended doses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and an angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor antagonist (ARB) could provide a higher degree of blockade of the renin-angiotensin system(RAS) than either agent alone. The primary aim of this study was to look at the effect of three therapeutic regimens (titrated ACE inhibitor (ACE-I) versus titrated ARB versus the combination of an ACE-I and an ARB) on the attainment of adequate blood pressure (BP) control and antiproteinuric effect. Both ACE-I and ARB were titrated as monotherapy up to the maximal recommended dose.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pilot randomised, parallel group open-label study was conducted in 36 patients with primary renal disease, proteinuria above 1.5 g/day and BP >140/90 mmHg while on therapy with an ACE-I. Patients were randomly assigned to (1) benazepril, n=12; (2) valsartan, n=12; or (3) benazepril plus valsartan, n=12. Other antihypertensive therapies could also be added to attain goal BP (<140/90 mmHg). The primary endpoint was the change in proteinuria during six months of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the presence of similar BP decreases and stable creatinine clearance values, mean proteinuria decreases were 0.5+1.7, 1.2+2.0 and 2.5+1.8 g/day in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. When compared with baseline values, only the fall induced by the combination of ARB and ACE-I attained statistical significance (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The antiproteinuric capacity of monotherapy at recommended doses with either an ACE-I or an ARB is lower than that obtained with the combination of the two drugs.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Unit, Nephrology Department, Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, 28041, Spain. jsegurad@senofro.org
authors.forename: Juliá
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Segura
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Praga
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rodicio
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ruilope
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000068756:Valsartan
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001552:Benzazepines; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine; C044946:benazepril