Open AccessPleiotropic Effects of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers: Addressing Comorbidities by Optimizing Hypertension Therapy
Author(s) -
Toth Peter P.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of clinical hypertension
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1751-7176
pISSN - 1524-6175
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-7176.2010.00379.x
Subject(s) - medicine , angiotensin receptor blockers , blood pressure , mechanism (biology) , pharmacology , intensive care medicine , angiotensin ii , angiotensin converting enzyme , bioinformatics , philosophy , epistemology , biology
The efficacy of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in the management of hypertension is well established. Whether these agents induce pleiotropic effects that promote the amelioration of vascular disorders independent of blood pressure reduction remains controversial. This review examines preclinical and clinical data that highlight a potentially important role for ARBs in several common vascular disorders, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, renal, and metabolic disorders. The preponderance of evidence suggests that some of the benefits derived from ARBs might improve outcomes in these disorders by actions that extend beyond blood pressure reduction. This review also identifies some potentially important differences in the mechanism of action between ARBs and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors that may have clinical significance in the management of vascular diseases. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:42–51. ©2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.