[ACEi and ARBs: Proteinuria Containment and Nephroprotection]

Abstract

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system plays a significant role in renal and cardiovascular pathophysiology, since its increased activity is involved in arterial hypertension, heart failure, and kidney disease. ACEIs and ARBs are essential drugs for nephroprotection: they reduce blood pressure values and albuminuria, both related to cardiovascular damage and CKD progression. The nephroprotective effects are evident in both diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic renal disease, and the initial eGFR fall, if not more than 30%, should be considered as a marker of long-term success of renal protection. To optimize the RAAS inhibition salt intake should be strictly controlled, moreover the effective antiproteinuric dose can often be higher than that used as an antihypertensive. In selected and closely monitored cases, it is also possible to consider dual RAAS blockade. Finally, it should be noted that in patients with advanced CKD RAAS inhibition should not be discontinued, either because it does not give any benefit on GFR or because it increases cardiovascular risk.

Keywords: ACE inhibitors; angiotensin receptor blockers; nephroprotection; proteinuria.