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Updated: May 14, 2026

Improved Renal Denervation Mitigated Hypertension Induced by Angiotensin II Infusion
Published on: May 26, 2022
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.
Abstract:
Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The importance of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in cardiovascular and renal diseases has long been recognized: for this reason the conventional therapies, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, and aldosterone antagonists represent the backbone of current antihypertensive therapy. Aliskiren is the first direct renin inhibitor (DRI) suitable for oral administration. By achieving more complete renin-angiotensin system inhibition, direct renin inhibitors may afford greater protection from hypertensive complications. Present evidence indicates that aliskiren reduces baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure greater than placebo and that it is as effective as other first-line antihypertensive agents. Extra advantages can be reached when it is used in combination therapy. Clinical trials and in vitro studies also suggest that aliskiren has several cardioprotective and renoprotective effects. Therapy with aliskiren is well tolerated, but recently some concerns have arisen because of the early termination of the ALTITUDE study due to an increased incidence of adverse effects.
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