[ACE inhibitors versus AR II antagonists. Their role in arterial hypertension]

The A II antagonists (RA II antagonists) are a new group of anti-hypertensive drugs with five years of clinical use. They were investigated after the knowledge of independent ways to get angiotensin II. They block AT1 receptor. It's possible that, after AT1 block, the high plasmatic levels of AII stimulate the AT2 receptors with vasodilation and anti-proliferative activity. We are waiting for the results of several big prospective studies with RA II antagonists on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. At present time, the first indication for its use is the appearance of cough when taking ACE inhibitors. The association of ACE inhibitors and RA II antagonists can improve some clinical conditions like dilated hypertensive cardiopathy, nephropathy or refractory hypertension.