Aliskiren in the management of hypertension

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers manage hypertension but increase plasma renin activity, potentially causing harm.
• Elevated plasma renin activity is linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce aliskiren, the first orally active direct renin inhibitor.
• To review aliskiren's efficacy, tolerability, and potential benefits in reducing plasma renin activity.

Main Methods:

• Review of reported data on aliskiren's clinical effects.
• Analysis of aliskiren's mechanism of action in inhibiting renin.

Main Results:

• Aliskiren effectively reduces blood pressure, alone or with other antihypertensives.
• Aliskiren demonstrates a favorable tolerability profile.
• Aliskiren reduces plasma renin activity, suggesting potential clinical advantages.

Conclusions:

• Aliskiren offers a novel approach to hypertension management by directly inhibiting renin.
• The reduction in plasma renin activity by aliskiren may provide additional clinical benefits.
• Further clinical trials are necessary to confirm aliskiren's impact on mortality.