The efficacy and tolerability of azilsartan in mice with left ventricular pressure overload or acute myocardial infarction.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are used for the treatment of patients with heart failure and hypertension. Yet their safety has been questioned by some who observed delayed cardiac healing and scar thinning after myocardial infarction (MI). To clarify potential efficacy and safety of ARBs, we administered Azilsartan medoxomil, a prodrug of an ARB (Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited), assessed cardiac fibrosis (hydroxyproline content), left ventricular (LV) wall thickness (premortem echocardiography and caliper measurement at necropsy), and LV mass and cardiac function with high-resolution ultrasound in mice with either surgically induced LV pressure overload (aortic banding) or acute MI.