Renin-angiotensin system inhibitor discontinuation in COVID-19 did not modify systemic ACE2 in a randomized controlled trial.

Despite the similar clinical outcomes after renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitor (RASi) continuation or withdrawal in COVID-19, the effects on angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and RAS metabolites remain unclear. In a substudy of the randomized controlled Austrian Corona Virus Adaptive Clinical Trial (ACOVACT), patients with hypertension and COVID-19 were randomized 1:1 to either RASi continuation (n = 30) or switch to a non-RASi medication (n = 29). RAS metabolites were analyzed using a mixed linear regression model (n = 30).