Treating patients for cardiovascular protection: combination therapy to achieve complete renin-angiotensin system blockade.

Abstract

Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) is a proven antihypertensive strategy. Understanding of the pathophysiologic effects of chronic RAS activation and clinical data indicate that RAS inhibition may exert beneficial effects in addition to blood pressure reduction. Studies indicate that monotherapy with ACE inhibitors and ARBs slows progression of diabetic and non-diabetic renal disease. Vascular protective effects of RAS inhibition have also been demonstrated in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events in the absence of significant blood pressure elevation or left ventricular dysfunction. Combining the complementary effects of ACE inhibitors and ARBs to achieve more complete RAS blockade is a promising approach to further reducing cardiovascular risk. This review will present the rationale for dual RAS inhibition, clinical data relating to its efficacy, and ongoing studies designed to evaluate its utility in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events.