[Clinical application of ARB and ACEI]

Renin angiotensin(RA) system is deeply involved in the pathophysiological conditions of essential hypertension. To inhibit RA system is supposed to be induced cardiovascular protective effect. ACEIs and ARBs are used as first choice of drugs in the treatment of hypertension. Clinical evidence shows that ACEIs have protective effects on heart, kidney and brain. Several large clinical trials suggest that ARBs have also protective effects on heart and diabetic nephropathy. Furthermore, recent study has demonstrated that an ARB prevents more cardiovascular morbidity and death than a beta blocker and is better tolerated in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. Now accumulated evidence indicates that ARBs are useful drugs in the treatment of hypertension.