Rational of the use of aliskiren in hypertension and beyond
Westermann, D.; Savvatis, K.; Schultheiss, H.P.; Tschöpe, C.
Minerva Cardioangiologica 57(6): 761-772
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4725 PMID: 20019651 Document Number: 632797
Arterial hypertension is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and one of the major causes for mortality worldwide. Drugs, that control hypertension effectively are therefore needed to reduce hypertension induced morbidity and mortality. The inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) is one target to control blood pressure in these patients. The new direct renin inhibitor aliskiren is one new substance on the market to inhibit the RAAS effectively by suppression of the plasma renin activity, which inhibits the RAAS at its rate-limiting step. Therefore, aliskiren in monotherapy and in combination might yield beneficial effects for the patients. Nevertheless, blood pressure lowering has to be combined with a reduction of target organ damage for all drug classes prescribed to patients with hypertension. Therefore, we review here the major effects of this new drug not only in regard to hypertension but also in regard to target organ damage reduction and possible changes in morbidity and mortality, which future trials will investigate.