scholarly journals Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System inhibitor use in patients with COVID-19 infection and prevention of serious events: a cohort study in commercially insured patients in the US

Author(s):  
Maria C Schneeweiss ◽  
Sandra Leonard ◽  
Andrew Weckstein ◽  
Sebastian Schneeweiss ◽  
Jeremy Rassen

Objectives: There is a lack of clarity regarding the role of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) in interfering with the SARS-COV-2 binding on human cells and the resulting change in disease severity. We sought to assess the risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 and serious complications in current users of ARB or ACEi compared to users of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (dhpCCB). Design: Cohort study Setting: The analysis used de-identified, patient-level data from HealthVerity, linking longitudinal data from US medical and pharmacy claims, which contain information on inpatient or outpatient diagnoses, procedures and medication dispensing. Participants: We identified patients aged 40+ and free of chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were newly diagnosed COVID-19, between March 1, 2020 and May 30, 2020, and adherent to ACEi, ARB, or dhpCCB therapy. Interventions: Current use of an ACEi, ARB, or dhpCCB. Main outcome measures: We compared the 30-day risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 and serious complications. Results: Of 24,708 patients identified, 7,571 were current users of an ARB, 8,484 of an ACEi, and 8,653 of a dhpCCB. The unadjusted 30-day risk of hospitalization for COVID-19 was 2.66% among ARB users, and 2.90% among ACEi users and 3.68% in dhpCCB users. In the PS-matched cohort, the risk of hospitalization among ARB users was 17% lower as compared to dhpCCB (RR=0.83; 0.68-1.00), and the risk among ACE users was 10% lower as compared to dhpCCB (RR=0.90; 0.76-1.07). When including patients with pre-existing CKD, the protective effect of ARB (RR= 0.74; 0.62-0.88) and ACEi (RR=0.84; 0.71-0.99) was more pronounced. Conclusions: This cohort study showed that neither ARB nor ACEi use increase the risk of severe COVID-19 disease among those infected, and instead suggests that current use of ARB may offer a protective effect. This study found no evidence to support the discontinuation of ARB/ACEi therapy.

ESC CardioMed ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 180-184
Author(s):  
Stéphane Laurent

Antihypertensive and antianginal agents are differentially able to vasodilate small resistance arteries, large conducting arteries, and epicardial coronary arteries. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and alpha-adrenergic antagonists are not addressed here, since they are discussed in specific chapters. This chapter discusses the pharmacology of calcium channel blockers, nitrovasodilators, and direct-acting vasodilators. Dihydropyridines, such as nifedipine and amlodipine, are compared to the non-dihydropyridine agents verapamil and diltiazem. Organic nitrates, such as nitroglycerine and isosorbide dinitrate, are compared to inorganic nitrates, such as sodium nitroprusside. Molsidomine and nicorandil are also discussed. Finally, the pharmacology of direct-acting vasodilators focuses on minoxidil and hydralazine. Pharmacology of mechanisms of action is detailed to better understand therapeutic indications and side effects.


Author(s):  
NKEIRUKA GRACE OSUAFOR ◽  
CHINWE VERONICA UKWE ◽  
MATTEW JEGBEFUME OKONTA

Objective: The study aimed to describe the prescription pattern of cardiovascular and/or anti-diabetic drugs and adherence to the World Health Organization (WHO) prescribing indicators in Abuja District Hospitals. Methods: This descriptive retrospective study was carried out in Asokoro and Maitama District Hospitals Abuja. One thousand and nine prescriptions that contained a cardiovascular drug (CVD) and/or anti-diabetic drug issued between June 2017 and May 2018 from the Medical Outpatient Department were analyzed. Data were collected from the pharmacy electronic database, prescription pattern and adherence to WHO prescribing indicators were assessed. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Results were presented as percentages, means, and standard deviations. Results: The frequency of treatment was higher among women (58.8%) and the age group of 41–60 (54.8%). The average number of drugs prescribed was 3.3±1.6: the percentage of drugs prescribed in generic was (64%) and (78.8%) were from the Essential Drug List (EDL). Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB, 71.7%) and Biguanides (B, 92.4%) were the most prescribed CVD and anti-diabetic drug. The majority of the CVD (74.5%) and diabetes (63.6%) patients were on combination therapy. The most frequent CVD combination was CCB plus Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors/Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (29.7%). Compared to men, the proportion of females taking one or more CVD (61.3%) or antidiabetic (56.4%) was higher. Conclusion: The prescribing indicators are not optimal in Abuja district hospitals. Women received more treatment for cardiovascular and diabetes diseases than men while the age range of 41-60 was more treated than other age groups.


2015 ◽  
Vol 156 (5) ◽  
pp. 179-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gergely Fehér ◽  
Gabriella Pusch

The treatment of migraine depends on the frequency, severity and concomitant diseases. There are several specific drugs developed for migraine prevention in addition to the additive antimigraine effects of some other non-specific drugs. The aim of this literature-based review is to summarize the possible antimigraine properties of different antihypertensive agents (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, etc.) focusing on the possible side effects (avoidance of beta blockers in the absence of heart disease, possible antiparkinson effect of calcium channel blockers, additive effect of drugs modifying the renin-angiotensin system activity, etc.). Current evidence supports the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (mainly lisinopril) and angiotensin receptor blockers (mainly candesartan) for long-term migraine prevention and blood pressure control. Long-term beta-blocker treatment should be avoided in the absence of ischemic heart disease due to possible unfavourable cardiovascular effects. Orv. Hetil., 2015, 156(5), 179–185.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed A. Alrashed ◽  
Tahir M. Khan ◽  
Noara K. Alhusseini ◽  
Syed Mohammed Basheeruddin Asdaq ◽  
Mushira Enani ◽  
...  

Abstract The uncertainty about COVID-19 outcomes in angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) users continues with contradictory findings. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ACEI/ARB use in patients with severe COVID-19. This retrospective cohort study done in two Saudi public specialty hospitals designated as COVID-19 referral facilities. We included 354 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 between April and June 2020, of which 146 were ACEI/ARB users and 208 were non-ACEI/ARB users. Controlling for confounders, we conducted a multivariate logistic regression and a sensitivity analysis using propensity score matched (PSM) patients. Compared to non-ACEI/ARB users, ACEI/ARB users had an eight-fold higher risk of developing critical or severe COVID-19 (OR=8.25, 95%CI=3.32-20.53); a nearly 7-fold higher risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR=6.76, 95%CI=2.88-15.89) and a nearly 5-fold higher risk of requiring noninvasive ventilation (OR=4.77,95%CI=2.15-10.55). Patients with diabetes, hypertension, and/or renal disease had a five-fold higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease (OR=5.40,95%CI=2.0-14.54]. These results were confirmed in the PSM analysis. In general, but especially among patients with hypertension, diabetes, and/or renal disease, ACEI/ARB use is associated with a significantly higher risk of severe or critical COVID-19 disease, and ICU care.


Author(s):  
S Dublin ◽  
R Walker ◽  
J S Floyd ◽  
S M Shortreed ◽  
S Fuller ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may increase the risk of COVID-19 infection or affect disease severity. Prior studies have not examined the association of medication dose with risks. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included people aged ≥18 years enrolled in a US integrated healthcare system for at least 4 months as of 2/29/2020. Current ACEI and ARB use was identified from pharmacy data, and the estimated daily dose was calculated and standardized across medications. COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations were identified through 6/14/2020 from laboratory and hospitalization data. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals, adjusting for race/ethnicity, obesity and other covariates. RESULTS Among 322,044 individuals, 826 developed COVID-19 infection. Among people using ACEI/ARBs, 204/56,105 developed COVID-19 (3.6 per 1000 individuals) compared with 622/265,939 without ACEI/ARB use (2.3 per 1000), yielding an adjusted OR of 0.91 (95% CI 0.74-1.12). For use of < 1 defined daily dose vs. nonuse, the adjusted OR for infection was 0.92 (95% CI 0.66-1.28); for 1 to < 2 defined daily doses, 0.89 (95% CI 0.66-1.19); and for ≥2 defined daily doses, 0.92 (95% CI 0.72-1.18). The OR was similar for ACEIs and ARBs and in subgroups by age and sex. 26% of people with COVID-19 infection were hospitalized; the adjusted OR for hospitalization in relation to ACEI/ARB use was 0.98 (95% CI 0.63-1.54), and there was no association with dose. CONCLUSIONS These findings support current recommendations that individuals on these medications continue their use.


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