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[Losartan and the LIFE-study. Antihypertensive treatment with AT1-receptor antagonist]
1Hjertemedisinsk avdeling, Medisinsk klinikk, Ullevål sykehus, Oslo.
Insights
Losartan, a new angiotensin II receptor blocker, is being compared to atenolol in the LIFE study for treating hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. This trial will assess effects on cardiovascular outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- The renin-angiotensin system and angiotensin II play roles in essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy.
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) lower blood pressure but may have limitations and side effects.
- Losartan is the first selective angiotensin II-1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, offering a new therapeutic approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of losartan versus atenolol in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy.
- To evaluate the impact of losartan and atenolol on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Main Methods:
- The LIFE study is a randomized, blinded trial involving 8,300 patients.
- Participants have essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy.
- Patients are treated with either atenolol or losartan for five years.
Main Results:
- This section is not applicable as the study is ongoing and results are not yet available.
Conclusions:
- This section is not applicable as the study is ongoing and conclusions cannot be drawn yet.
Abstract:
The renin-angiotensin system, through the effects of angiotensin II, may be involved in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension and associated left ventricular hypertrophy. Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI) lowers blood pressure and reduces left ventricular hypertrophy. ACEI, however, may not completely inhibit the production of angiotensin II and its effects, and adverse effects like cough and rise in creatinine have been associated with ACEI and reduced degradation of bradykinin. The first selective antagonist of the angiotensin II-1 (AT1) receptor, losartan, has recently been approved. The LIFE study has been started, in which 8,300 hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy in Scandinavia and the USA will be randomized to blinded treatment with either atenolol or losartan to compare the effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality over a period of five years.