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Valsartan and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system: blood pressure control and beyond

Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden, bdahlof{at}scandinaviancri.se

Patients treated for hypertension are still at significantly elevated risk for cardiovascular complications when compared with normotensive patients, even when on antihypertensive therapy. In all fairness though, a majority of these patients have uncontrolled blood pressure. Blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) prevents or reverses cardiac remodelling and improves prognosis in cardiovascular disease beyond the effects on blood pressure (BP). Valsartan acts by selectively blocking the AT₁-receptor and shows similar efficacy and improved tolerability compared with ACE inhibitors. This drug may provide additional benefits in controlling the cardiovascular complications of hypertension. Results of large clinical trials with valsartan, such as VALUE, Val-HEFT, VALIANT and ABCD-2V, are eagerly awaited.

Key Words: angiotensin II receptor blocker • organ damage • reversal of left ventricular hypertrophy • valsartan

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Journal of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System, Vol. 1, No. 2 suppl, S14-S16 (2000)
DOI: 10.3317/jraas.2000.047


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Dahlöf, B. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Dahlöf, B. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?