Clinical studies have demonstrated that some antihypertensive agents provide renoprotection independent of BP lowering. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies evaluated the mechanisms involved in this protection. First, the in vitro effects of several angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARB), calcium channel blockers (CCB), and beta blockers (BB) on various mediators were compared: Formation ...

BACKGROUND Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects. The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term effects of ARBs on morphologic characteristics of stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease requiring stent implantation by optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS Patients with coronary artery disease having his...

Background. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARB) decrease cardiovascular mortality and slow the progression of renal disease in non-transplant patients, but their impact on kidney transplant outcome has not been well established.Methods. Patients receiving a renal allograft in Spain in 1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002 were considered for the...

BACKGROUND Guidelines recommend continuation or initiation of guideline-directed medical therapy, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB), in hospitalized patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. METHODS AND RESULTS Using the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Registry, we linked clinical data from 16 052 heart failu...

PURPOSE Autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB) is a retinal dystrophy affecting macular and retinal pigmented epithelium function resulting from homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in BEST1. In this study we characterize the functional implications of missense bestrophin-1 mutations that cause ARB by investigating their effect on bestrophin-1's chloride conductance, cellular local...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Whether angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are differentially associated with reductions in cardiovascular events and mortality in patients receiving maintenance dialysis is uncertain. We compared outcomes between ACE and ARB users among hypertensive, maintenance dialysis patients. METHODS National retrospective cohort study ...

BACKGROUND Although angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) have been found to reduce the coronary atherosclerotic plaque burden in animal models, it is unknown whether ARB have a similar effect on human coronary arteries. METHODS AND RESULTS Serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) studies of the left main (LM) coronary artery were performed in 64 patients at baseline and after 7-month follow-u...

This paper was prepared as the result of work sponsored by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA). It does not necessarily represent the views of the California Energy Commission, ARB, Cal/EPA, their employees, or the State of California. The Energy Commission, ARB, Cal/EPA, the State of California, their employees, contractors, and...

BACKGROUND Step therapy for angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) requiring prior use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) is a common cost-containment intervention in managed care. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of the step-therapy intervention for ARBs, including ARB/hydrochlorthiazide (HCTZ) combinations, as measured by prescription use patterns...