Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in clinical practice

Abstract

This survey was performed to determine the clinical characteristics of patients treated with renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors in clinical practice. A total of 386 investigators were asked to consecutively include outpatients under treatment with RAAS inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs] or both) for at least 6 months. In total, 2895 patients were included. The most frequent reason for prescribing RAAS inhibitors (particularly ARBs) was hypertension (p < 0.0001). When compared with ARBs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were more frequently prescribed in patients with ischemic heart disease or heart failure, but lesser prescribed in those with left ventricular hypertrophy, diabetic nephropathy or microalbuminuria. Patients with left ventricular hypertrophy, diabetic nephropathy or microalbuminuria were more commonly treated with the combination of treatments.

Keywords::

• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
• angiotensin receptor blockers
• clinical practice
• renin–angiotensin system
• treatment

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to all investigators who have actively participated in this study. Without their dedication and quality of work, the present publication would not have been possible. Unfortunately, the list of investigators is too long to include in this manuscript. We would also like to thank Phidea Marvin SLU for the statistical analyses, which was indispensable to complete this observational study. All data have been recorded and independently analyzed to prevent bias.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Bayer Healthcare provided financial support for this study. R Enrique is an employee of Bayer Schering Pharma Spain. V Barrios has received consultancy and lecturing fees from Bayer; honoraria and consultancy fees for a speaker’s bureau and expert testimony from AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Chiesi, Daiichi Sankyo, Menarini, Merck Serono, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Recordati, Novartis, sanofi-aventis and Pfizer; and has received grant support from AstraZeneca, Novartis, Pfizer, Recordati and sanofi-aventis. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Content Ed Net Madrid provided editorial assistance for this manuscript, funded by Bayer Healthcare.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.