The role of aliskiren in the management of hypertension and major cardiovascular outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Comparison of the effectiveness of aliskiren and ramipril for the management of hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Ramipril is an important option in the management of hypertension, while the role of aliskiren is still up for debate. We aim to meta-analyse and compare the effect of aliskiren with ramipril by measuring mean difference in systolic blood pressure (mdSBP) and mean difference in diastolic blood pressure (mdDBP).

METHODS

The search was conducted using the PubMed and Cochrane databases for eligible randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to perform a meta-analysis from January 2000 to May 2024. RCTs that included hypertensive patients who were under either aliskiren or ramipril treatment were included in the analysis. The risk of bias was evaluated using RoB 2.0. This study is registered with PROSPERO: CRD42024577105.

RESULTS

Four studies were included: two studies were carried out for 2 months, and two were carried out for 6 months, including 693 and 329 patients, respectively, with mild to moderate hypertension and a mean age of 55.2 years. After 2 months, mdDBP was found to be significant (mdDBP=0.85mmHg, 95% CI: 0.73-0.97, I2=0%), but mdSBP was found to be non-significant (mdSBP=0.0mmHg, 95% CI: -0.17-0.17, I2=0%). There was a significant difference in the mdSBP (mdSBP=3.15mmHg, 95% CI: 2.13-4.17, I2=84%) and mdDBP (mdDBP=1.2mmHg, 95% CI: 1.09-1.31, I2=0%) at 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Aliskiren provides, in the short term, a slight improvement in BP in non-elderly hypertensive patients without diabetes or previous cardio-cerebrovascular disease.

Will zilebesiran, an RNA interference therapy, be effective, safe, and improve the treatment of hypertension?

INTRODUCTION

Less than half of the subjects with hypertension have been diagnosed and treated, with only 21% having their blood pressure under control. Many of the subjects find it difficult to adhere to daily antihypertensives. Zilebesiran reduces hepatic angiotensinogen messenger RNA levels to inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and is being developed as a long-acting anti-hypertensive agent.

AREAS COVERED

KARDIA-1; a phase 2 clinical trial of zilebesiran with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Most doses of zilebesiran (150-600 mg) modestly reduced blood pressure from baseline to month 3. Adverse events included hyperkalemia and kidney failure.

EXPERT OPINION

The main problem with zilebesiran is that it only has a modest effect on blood pressure, and it is likely to have to be used as add-on therapy, which will probably reduce any benefits on adherence it has. It was also difficult to reliably interpret the results of KARDIA-1 as blood pressure went up significantly in the placebo group. KARDIA-1 did not answer previous concerns about zilebesiran; (i) what happens during volume depletion, sepsis, and pregnancy when angiotensinogen is inhibited long term or (ii) will it be effective in a high sodium diet.

Advances in pathogenesis and treatment of essential hypertension

Hypertension is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and the leading cause of premature death worldwide. However, the pathogenesis of the hypertension, especially essential hypertension, is complex and requires in-depth studies. Recently, new findings about essential hypertension have emerged, and these may provide important theoretical bases and therapeutic tools to break through the existing bottleneck of essential hypertension. In this review, we demonstrated important advances in the different pathogenesis areas of essential hypertension, and highlighted new treatments proposed in these areas, hoping to provide insight for the prevention and treatment of the essential hypertension.

Effect of direct renin inhibition on vascular function after long-term treatment with aliskiren in hypertensive and diabetic patients

OBJECTIVE

We tested the hypothesis that chronic treatment with the direct renin inhibitor aliskiren improves vascular function in resistance and conduit arteries of type two diabetic and hypertensive patients.

METHOD

Sixteen patients with mild essential hypertension and with a previous diagnosis of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus were included in the study. Patients were then randomized to aliskiren (150 mg once daily, n = 9), or ramipril (5 mg once daily, n = 7). Each patient underwent a biopsy of the subcutaneous tissue and small arteries were dissected and mounted on a pressurized micromyograph to evaluate endothelium dependent vasorelaxation in response to acetylcholine ± N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride in vessels precontracted with norepinephrine. Endothelial function has been quantified also in large conduit arteries by flow-mediated dilation.

RESULTS

A similar office blood pressure-lowering effect was observed with the two drugs, although changes in DBP were not statistically significant in the ramipril group. Aliskiren significantly improved endothelium-dependent relaxation in subcutaneous resistance arteries, as well as increased flow-mediated dilation in conduit arteries, whereas the effects induced by ramipril did not reach statistical significance. Only aliskiren significantly increased the expression of p1177-endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the endothelium. Both aliskiren and ramipril had a negligible effect on markers of oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

Aliskiren restored endothelial function and induced a more prompt peripheral vasodilation in hypertensive and diabetic patients possibly through the increased production of nitric oxide via the enhanced expression and function of the active phosphorylated form of endothelial nitric oxide synthase.