Angiotensin II receptor blockers provide clinical benefits across the cardiovascular continuum by controlling blood pressure, preventing end-organ damage, and offering cardiac and renal protection.
ARBs provide cardiovascular and renal protection beyond blood pressure control through mechanisms involving endothelial function and vascular remodeling.
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) regulates sodium balance, fluid volume, and blood pressure (BP). It is also implicated in the progression of heart failure, hypertension, and kidney disease; this is mediated by the binding of angiotensin II (ang II) to the ang II type 1 but not the ang II type 2 receptor. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown that blockade of the RAAS with ang II receptor blockers (ARB) is effective not only in controlling BP but also in preventing end-organ damage. Through their mechanism of action, ARB may offer benefit with respect to endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling, as well as cardiac and renal protection. In addition, both recent and ongoing clinical trials help to clarify further the mechanisms for the benefits of using ARB across the cardiovascular continuum.
R. Schmieder (Sun,) conducted a review in Heart failure, hypertension, and kidney disease. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) was evaluated. Angiotensin II receptor blockers provide clinical benefits across the cardiovascular continuum by controlling blood pressure, preventing end-organ damage, and offering cardiac and renal protection.