title: ACE inhibition versus angiotensin receptor blockade: which is better for renal and cardiovascular protection?
abstract: Chronic renal disease is characterized by a gradual loss of renal function and an increased cardiovascular risk. Renin-angiotensin system blockade by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition or angiotensin receptor blockade has distinct renoprotective and cardiovascular protective effects, but which of the two drug classes confers more protection is still a matter of debate. This review highlights and compares the effects of the two drug-classes in nondiabetic renal disease and in overt or incipient nephropathy of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Both renal and cardiovascular outcomes are considered. Regardless of their relative efficacy, both drug classes have a dose-response relationship for intermediate renal and cardiovascular parameters. Moreover, combined treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin receptor blockade seems to provide better long-term renoprotection than monotherapy. Actually, in most patients, achieving maximal renal and cardiovascular protection requires a multidrug regimen, usually including several antihypertensives. Within this approach, full dose titration of either RAS blocker followed by add-on with the second drug is more important than the choice of the initial drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Gozewijn D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Laverman
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Remuzzi
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruggenenti
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000517:prevention & control; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors