[Angiotensin II antagonists: new therapeutic perspectives]

First experimental data regarding potential effects of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system modulation and their usefulness in clinical management of cardiovascular diseases have been reported more than 30 years ago. The two principals pharmacologic innovations are represented by the solid established angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers, lately introduced and not enough tested in well-conducted trials; in particular, it's very interesting the hypothesis of their impact in clinical practice not only in case of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors intolerance but as first choice or associated therapy in the treatment of heart failure, a very complex physiopathologic condition in which renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays an important role and so its both enzymatic and receptorial inhibition could be particularly useful. With this review we present an up to date of knowledges, completed trials results and ongoing trials perspectives, to redefine actual indications and to profile main future develops of this drugs.