Do angiotensin II receptor antagonists substitute angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of high blood pressure?

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIA) are both pharmacological groups that inhibit the action s of angiotensin II. ACEI prevent the formation of angiotensin II from angi otensin I, whereas A II A inhibit the final crucial step of angiotensin II binding with the AT1 receptor site. A similar antihypertensive efficacy has been described for both groups but A II A drugs have a better safety profi le above all due to the absence of dry cough. Despite the fact that evidenc e with ACEI is more conclusive, A II A seems to achieve the same protective effects on the target organ damage in hypertensive patients. At present, A CEI are the drugs of choice in the treatment of patients with cardiac dysfu nction and failure. The information of ongoing trials with A II A will be o f great Value in deciding the optimal treatment for hypertensive patients w ith defferent cardiovascular diseases.