The American journal of the medical sciences
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Certain patient populations have a high prevalence of hypertension, including black, elderly, or obese patients; patients with metabolic syndrome, or frank diabetes; and patients with chronic kidney disease. Many of these patients experience renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) dysregulation, which is important because the RAAS plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and renal dysfunction. ⋯ Aliskiren, the first direct renin inhibitor, is effective in a number of these patient groups, including those who are black or obese or who have metabolic syndrome, renal impairment, or diabetes. In addition, in the setting of long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker therapy, aldosterone receptor antagonists (spironolactone and eplerenone) provide another rational therapeutic approach for patients whose blood pressure is not controlled by standard therapies.