Resumen

CONTRERAS, F et al. Aspectos Funcionales del Sistema Renina Angiotensina Aldosterona y Bloqueantes de los Receptores ATI de Angiotensina II en Hipertensión Arterial. AVFT [online]. 2000, vol.19, n.2, pp.121-128. ISSN 0798-0264.

Hypertension is a very common condition and the most important risk factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. The hyperactivity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has been attributed as cardiovascular risk factor in subjects with essential hypertension; intrinsic vascular abnormalities in which the RAAS is clearly the milieu for the development of the pathological changes in the blood vessel’s wall, has been found to be the cause of the establishment of hypertension. Many drugs with different therapeutic mechanisms have been used for the treatment of the patient with hypertension and the vascular complications. Nevertheless, the majority of products used, sometimes their utility is limited for the occurrence of adverse effects. Permanent research for new pharmacological agents for the treatment of hypertension has lead to the development of angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists. The most important functions mediated by receptor AT1 include vasoconstriction, induction of the production and release of aldosterone, renal reabsortion of sodium, cardiac growth, proliferation of vascular smooth muscle, elevation of peripheral noradrenal action and central activity of sympathetic nervous system, stimulates vasopressin release and inhibits renin from the kidney. Angiotensin II AT1 receptor blockers, oppose the effect of angiotensin II lowering blood pressure without producing cough as side effect as they do not affect levels of bradykinin or P substance, making these products suitable for the treatment of those patients with hypertension that require treatment with a drug blocking the effect of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) but these cannot be used due to cough as a side effect.

Palabras clave : Renin- angiotensin system; Hypertension; Angiotensin 2; AT1 receptor blockers.