Renin-angiotensin system blockers during the COVID-19 pandemic: an update for patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

ABSTRACT: Hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are among the most common comorbidities associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity and mortality risk. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers are cornerstones in the treatment of both hypertension and proteinuric CKD. In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a hypothesis emerged suggesting that the use of RAS blockers may increase susceptibility for COVID-19 infection and disease severity in these populations. This hypothesis was based on the fact that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a counter regulatory component of the RAS, acts as the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 cell entry. Extrapolations from preliminary animal studies led to speculation that upregulation of ACE2 by RAS blocke

SUBMITTER: Theodorakopoulou MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8754739 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature