Endothelin antagonism and its role in the treatment of hypertension.

Hypertension contributes greatly to global disease burden and in many patients current treatments do not adequately control blood pressure (BP). Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor that is implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension, including the hypertension that is often associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the metabolic syndrome. ET receptor antagonists, currently licensed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension and scleroderma-related digital ulcers, are being investigated for the treatment of hypertension.