title: Nephroprotective action of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade in chronic kidney disease patients: the landscape after ALTITUDE and VA NEPHRON-D trails.
abstract: The intervention in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is currently the most effective strategy that combines blood pressure lowering and renoprotection. Several large, randomized, controlled trials evidenced the renoprotective potential of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in nephropathies of almost any etiology. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and direct renin inhibitor, aliskiren, as add-on treatments to standard therapy including the optimal dose of ACEIs or ARBs reduce albuminuria or proteinuria and slow development of renal dysfunction more than placebo. No clinical evidence is available however about whether these strategies may influence on long-term kidney outcome. Three recent trials suggested that aggressive RAAS blockade, that is, combination of 2 RAAS-blocking agents, does not decrease cardiovascular and renal morbidity and may carry an increased risk of serious complications. This article reviews an evidence-based approach on the use of RAAS-inhibiting agents in chronic kidney disease and considers the implementation of dual RAAS blockade with reference to the results of ALTITUDE and VA NEPHRON-D trails aiming to aid clinicians in their treatment decisions for patients with chronic kidney disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland.
authors.forename: Boleslaw
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rutkowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Transplantology and Internal Medicine, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland. Electronic address: leszek.tylicki@gumed.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tylicki
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009399:Nephrons / Q000187:drug effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors