Angiotensin Receptor Blockers – finally the evidence is coming in: IDNT and RENAAL

The results of two large and many smaller trials of ARB’s in heart failure and very many medium size trials in hypertension have failed to deliver the evidence necessary to establish the ARB’s as agents able to deliver hard worthwhile end-points. Finally two outcome trials presented at May’s American Society of Hypertension meeting have established end-point reductions in major mortality and morbidity trials in proteinuric chronic renal impairment in hypertensive type 2 diabetics. Both trials showed a significant reduction in the primary pre-specified end-point of death, or worsening of renal function (doubling of serum creatinine) or the development of end-stage renal disease.