[AII antagonists (candesartan and irbesartan) in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases].

Treatment of hypertension with angiotensin II receptor antagonists (AIIA) was first limited to diabetics and patients with microalbuminuria. So far, results of several large clinical trials with AIIAs were published, confirming significant renoprotective effect of these agents compared to placebo (RENAAL and IRMA), amlodipin (MARVAL and IDNT) and a combination of ACEI and AIIA (CALM). In 2002, results of 2 large comparator studies in hypertension were published: LIFE - Losartan Intervention For Endpoints and SCOPE - the Study on COgnition and Prognosis in Elderly hypertensives. In 2003, a series of the CHARM studies involving patients with heart failure were published and, from than, AIIA have been used as an alternative to ACEI or in a combination with ACEI. MOSES study - Morbidity and mortality after stroke, eprosartan compared with nitrendipine for secondary prevention - results were published in 2005 and ONTARGET study, focusing on secondary prevention of ischemic heart disease, was published in 2008. The CORD study - Comparison of recommended doses - and the ACTIVE I study (AF Clopidogrel Trial with Irbesartan for prevention of Vascular Events) were published in 2009. Candesartan was used in the CALM, SCOPE, RESOLVED and CHARM studies, irbesartan in the IRMA, IDNT and ACTIVE I.