Inhibidores de la renina

Hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is partially responsible for blood pressure increase, development of target organ lesions and of other diseases considered in the known “cardiovascular and renal continuum”. Drug inhibition of RAAS with angiotensive converting enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI) and antagonists of the AT1 receptors of Angiotensin II (ARA II), has demonstrated its utility in both high blood pressure (HBP) treatment and in the prevention of its complications and in a large group of circulatory apparatus diseases. Renin inhibitors act in the initial point of RAAS activation and reduce formation of both angiotensin I and angiotensin II. During the last 20 years, research along this line of drugs has had many difficulties that have been overcome with the synthesis of new molecules with a potent renin inhibitor effect, among which aliskiren is found. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated its antihypertensive efficacy, excellent tolerability (similar to the placebo and to the ARA II) and its limited drug interaction with other frequently drugs used in the clinical practice. All this makes it possible to consider the inclusion of this new drug group in the therapeutic armamentarium in HBP and possible in other indications in vascular disease.