January 26-28, 2005, Monte-Carlo, Grimaldi Forum
The 5th Meeting on Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers has taken place in Monte Carlo.A glittering Faculty was assembled by the organisers and all aspects of the recent evidence on the use of this class of agent were discussed.There were particularly searching examinations of the outcome trials which have included angiotensin II receptor blockers with detailed presentations from Dr Weber
(USA) and Professor Kjeldsen (Norway).Debate rages about whether there are pressure independent effects of this class of drug.It remains controversial and the major effects seem to be blood pressure related but there is the inescapable possibility that the more detailed examination of outcomes with these drugs do reveal something important and Professor McInnes from Scotland went into this in great detail.My personal highlight was the presentation by Professor Haller (Germany) who presented data from the Utopia study, which was published in Circulation in 2004.
Although there are data from animals to suggest that the use of angiotensin receptor blockers can reduce oxidative stress, his study on patients was the first to demonstrate that inflammatory markers are reduced by the use of an angiotensin receptor blocker and this effect is enhanced by the addition of a statin.
Theoretically the view is that this would improve endothelial function and protect against circulatory damage inflicted by atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and hypertension.That of course, remains to be seen.The other interesting message, which is emerging, is the clear reduction in new cases of diabetes mellitus on new classes of drug including the angiotensin receptor blockers. |
