Oral renin inhibitors in clinical practice: a perspective review

Luca Bonanni1, Michele Dalla Vestra

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale dell'Angelo-General Hospital, Mestre-Venezia, Italy.

Insights

Aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, effectively lowers blood pressure and offers potential cardioprotective benefits. However, concerns regarding adverse effects led to the early termination of a major clinical trial.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension significantly increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
  • The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a crucial role in cardiovascular and renal diseases.
  • Conventional therapies like ACE inhibitors and ARBs are mainstays of antihypertensive treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor (DRI).
  • To assess the potential cardioprotective and renoprotective effects of aliskiren.
  • To understand the role of DRIs in comprehensive RAAS inhibition.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical trials and in vitro studies were conducted.
  • Aliskiren's effects on blood pressure were compared to placebo and other antihypertensive agents.
  • Safety and adverse event profiles were monitored.

Main Results:

  • Aliskiren demonstrated superior reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo.
  • Aliskiren exhibited comparable efficacy to existing first-line antihypertensive agents.
  • Evidence suggests potential cardioprotective and renoprotective effects.

Conclusions:

  • Aliskiren is a well-tolerated oral direct renin inhibitor effective in lowering blood pressure.
  • Combination therapy with aliskiren may offer additional benefits.
  • Concerns regarding adverse effects, highlighted by the ALTITUDE study's early termination, warrant careful consideration.

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