The American journal of the medical sciences
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Meta Analysis
Angiotensin receptor blockers reduce left ventricular hypertrophy in dialysis patients: a meta-analysis.
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major cardiovascular complication and an important predictor of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. Angiotensin II blockades have been widely used in the treatment of hypertension; however, the influence of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on LVH in dialysis patients has not been thoroughly studied. In this meta-analysis, the authors analyzed the effect of ARBs on LVH and left ventricular function in patients on maintenance dialysis. ⋯ ARBs are associated with a greater reduction in LVH in patients on dialysis. The ARB therapy tends to have a similar favorable effectiveness as ACEI; however, the combination of ARBs with ACEIs did not show additional benefit to LVH in patients on hemodialysis.