Direct Renin Inhibitor Combined with Angiotensin Receptor Blockade Gives Additional Blood Pressure Lowering

SUZANNE OPARIL, University of Alabama, Birmingham

REFERENCE: Abstract 405-12, American College of Cardiolgy New OrleansA combination of two antihypertensive agents has given improved blood pressure control in a study with nearly 2000 patients reported to the ACC meeting in New Orleans by a group from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.Suzanne Oparilpresented findings on the use of the direct rennin inhibitor, aliskiren, combined with the angiotensin receptor blocker, valsartan. She explained to Peter Goodwin how this “dual renin system blockade” gave enhanced blood pressure lowering in patients with mild to moderate hypertension who were followed with ambulatory monitoring.