title: [Angiotensin II receptor blockers--evidence along the cardiovascular continuum].
abstract: The introduction of Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) in 1995 was another milestone in the pharmacological management of hypertension. Due to the manifold effects on several target organs Angiotensin II is one of the most important mediator in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The blockade of the Angiotensin II receptor type 1 is a crucial cornerstone in interrupting the pathophysiological pathways in hypertension. Furthermore ARB have an excellent tolerability comparable with placebo. In the last decade large placebo-controlled trials could prove the efficiency of ARB in terms of morbidity and mortality. Patients after acute myocardial infarction and patients with chronic heart failure benefit from treatment with ARB equally compared to treatment with ACE inhibitors. Combining ARB and ACE inhibitors in patient after myocardial infarction increases the rate of adverse events without improving survival. Increase of microalbuminuria and worsening of diabetic nephropathy is reduced by ARB in patients with diabetes type 2, but an advantage over ACE inhibitors could not be documented. Hypertensive patients with electrocardiographically left ventricular hypertrophy treated with ARB seem to have an additional benefit in terms of morbidity and mortality compared to treatment with beta-blockers. In the early treatment of stroke patients treated with ARB have a lower 12-mounth mortality than patients receiving placebo. In conclusion, Angiotensin II receptor blockers are due to their well proved efficiency, the cardio- and renoprotective qualities and the excellent tolerability profile a useful therapeutic option in the management of patients with hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsspital Basel. zellera@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeller
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Battegay
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000188:drug therapy; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D010919:Placebos; D011817:Rabbits; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D010919:Placebos; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000804:Angiotensin II; C081643:candesartan