ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers have been found to effectively slow progression of kidney disease. It has been theorized that dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) might prove even more beneficial, but these hopes have not been realized. Now a new trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine throws further cold water on the once-promising hypothesis….
Yet Another Blow To Combination Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Blockade
November 9, 2013 by 1 Comment
European Medicines Agency Starts Review of Combined Use Of Drugs That Block The Renin-Angiotensin System
May 20, 2013 by 1 Comment
The European Medicines Agency said last week that it was initiating a review of the combined use of agents that block the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). The three classes of RAS-blocking drugs (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and direct renin inhibitors) are used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. The EMA said that the review was being performed to…
ACE Inhibitor Improves Walking In People with Peripheral Artery Disease
February 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Giving an ACE inhibitor to people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and intermittent claudication reduces pain and increases walking time, according to a new study published in JAMA. Currently the pharmacologic options for this patient population are few and have limited efficacy. Researchers at three Australian hospitals randomized 212 patients with PAD to receive the ACE…
Study Warns Against Dual Blockade of Renin-Angiotensin System In Heart Failure And Hypertension
January 28, 2013 by 1 Comment
The enormous success of ACE inhibitors in hypertension and heart failure spurred hope that adding a second drug to block the renin-angiotensin system would yield improved outcomes. Although definitive evidence supporting dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system has never been found, more than 200,000 patients in the US currently receive this therapy. Now a large…
Acute Kidney Injury Associated With Dual Antihypertensive Therapy And NSAIDs
January 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Adding a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to dual antihypertensive therapy (a diuretic plus either an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker) is associated with an increase in risk for kidney injury, according to a large new retrospective study published in BMJ. Click here to read the complete story on Forbes. …
ALTITUDE Study of Aliskiren Terminated Early by Novartis
December 20, 2011 by 2 Comments
Novartis announced today the early termination of the ALTITUDE trial, which was testing the effect of the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren (Rasilez, Tekturna) in type 2 diabetics at high risk for cardiovascular and renal events. The action was based on the recommendation of the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC), after it found an increased risk for…
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