Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists in the treatment of hypertension in elderly patients: focus on patient outcomes.

Hypertension in the elderly is one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Knowledge regarding the mechanisms of hypertension and specific considerations in managing hypertensive elderly through pharmacological intervention(s) is fundamental to improving clinical outcomes. Recent clinical studies in the elderly have provided evidence that angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonists can improve clinical outcomes to a similar or, in certain populations, an even greater extent than other classical arterial blood pressure-lowering agents. This newer class of antihypertensive agents presents several benefits, including potential for improved adherence, excellent tolerability profile with minimal first-dose hypotension, and a low incidence of adverse effects. Thus, AT(1) receptor antagonists represent an appropriate option for many elderly patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and/or left ventricular dysfunction.

Introduction

Hypertension is a crucial, modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and remains a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in most developed countries.1 In 2000, it was estimated that 26% of adults worldwide (972 million) had hypertension, and this number is expected to increase to 29.2% (1.56 billion) by 2025.2 The incidence of hypertension increases worldwide with the progression of an aging population, making it the most dominant and common morbid condition in the elderly. In the Framingham Heart Study, it was estimated that normotensive adults aged 55–65 years had more than a 90% lifetime risk of developing hypertension during the rest of their life.3 Hence, age is considered to be the most crucial causative factor for hypertension and cardiovascular death.4

Clinical trials have demonstrated that treatment of hypertension in the elderly prevents heart failure, reduces the risk of stroke, and prolongs life.5–9 Notably, (patho) physiological modifications linked to both aging and high arterial blood pressure must be taken into consideration when choosing an appropriate blood pressure-lowering treatment for the elderly.10 For example, characteristic changes that occur in the elderly with high blood pressure are decreased cardiac output, increased peripheral resistance due to age-related decline of vascular compliance, impaired baroreceptor sensitivity, and reduced intravascular volume.11,12

Major benefits of antihypertensive therapy are related to lowering and controlling of blood pressure through lifestyle modification(s) and drug therapy.13,14 Therapeutic management of hypertension in the elderly includes five main classes of drugs that have been clinically studied and successfully used over several decades. These classes include angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonists (angiotensin receptor blockers or ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), β-adrenergic receptor antagonists (β-blockers), calcium channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics.15 The diversity of these medications has fuelled debates regarding which class of antihypertensive is most suitable as a first-line therapeutic agent.16 In addition, although the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7) recommends two-drug combinations in patients who have significantly elevated blood pressure (ie, 20 mm Hg above their systolic blood pressure goal and/or 10 mm Hg above diastolic blood pressure goal), this recommendation may not be prudent in older patients due to the risk of orthostatic hypotension.17 In addition, multiple drug therapies may increase the risk of other undesirable adverse effects and problems with drug adherence, which are important issues of consideration in pharmacotherapy of the elderly. Medications used in the elderly should ideally meet the following criteria: i) once- or twice-daily administration, ii) low incidence of side effects, and iii) low cost with available equivalent drugs of similar effectiveness.18

The purpose of this review is to discuss the pharmacology of angiotensin receptor antagonists, particularly as it relates to the elderly, and describe data that support the use of these agents in older hypertensive patients. Information on the use of other antihypertensive drugs in the elderly is reviewed elsewhere.19–22

Overview of the use of AT1 receptor antagonist in the elderly

Angiotensin receptor antagonists act on the final step of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) by selectively blocking the AT1 receptor and preventing the effects of angiotensin II mediated by this receptor (Figure 1). Blockade of the AT1 receptor by angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) results in a dose-dependent fall of peripheral resistance without a significant change in the heart rate or cardiac output.23 ARBs offer a variety of advantages for elderly hypertensive patients; they have excellent tolerability, have minimal drug interactions, and may be dosed once daily.24 Because of these factors, medication adherence may also be optimized, which is particularly important considering that polypharmacy is common among hypertensive elderly.25

Figure 1

Schematic illustration of the RAAS and the main pathways by which RAAS regulates cardiovascular function.148,149

Abbreviations: ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; ACEIs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; ARBs, angiotensin receptor blockers; CNS, central nervous system; NE, norepinephrine; RAAS, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system; RSN, renal sympathetic nerve; ROS, reactive oxygen species.

The integral role of circulatory RAAS in maintaining normal hemodynamic status is well documented.26–28 It is also known that activity of this system declines with age, which is mainly due to reduction of renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentrations.29,30 Notably, increased activity of RAAS has not proven to be the major cause of primary (essential) hypertension, unlike in progression of atherosclerosis and vascular disease, where angiotensin II, the main effector molecule of the system, is highly implicated.31 Most physiological actions of angiotensin II, including smooth muscle contraction, release of aldosterone, and cell growth and proliferation, are due to activation of the AT1 receptor.32 In addition, excessive binding of angiotensin II to this receptor is one of the main pathological mechanisms leading to sustained vasoconstriction, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, heart failure, arrhythmias, and atherogenesis.33–38

The first therapeutic agents that targeted the RAAS in treatment of hypertension were ACEIs, which were developed more than 30 years ago.39 ACEIs have been demonstrated to be very effective in the treatment of hypertension, as well as other cardiovascular and renal diseases.40,41 However, some of the side effects of ACEIs and their inability to block alternative pathways of angiotensin II generation (eg, chymase in the heart) were reasons for the development of AT1 receptor antagonists, which specifically block the effects of angiotensin II mediated through the AT1 receptor.42

A common side effect of ACE inhibitors is cough. Although the mechanism(s) behind ACEI-induced cough is not fully understood, it may involve elevated levels of bradykinin and stimulation of vagal C fibers.43 The frequency of cough varies among different patient populations. The rate appears to be around 10% in white patients but may be as high as 44% in Asian patients.44 Cough is more common among women than men, tends to be dry, is mildly annoying, and often requires cessation of therapy.45

Angioedema is a rare but potentially life-threatening side effect of ACEIs.43,46 It is characterized by localized swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, throat, nose, or other parts of the face.43 The mechanism of this side effect appears to involve bradykinin and/or one of its metabolites. The rate of angioedema has been reported to be 1 per 1000 (0.1%) in primarily white patients but appears to be higher in black patients.47,48

ARBs were introduced in the mid-1990s as more selective drugs for RAAS inhibition with an improved safety and tolerability profile.49,50 The first orally active selective AT1 receptor antagonist approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1995 was losartan. Over the past two decades, it has undergone extensive pharmacological and clinical investigations.51,52 This was followed by development of several other ABRs, including valsartan, irbesartan, candesartan, telmisartan, eprosartan, and olmesartan, which differ by modifications in their chemical structure and have somewhat different pharmacological properties.53

Clinical studies of angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists in hypertension and related cardiovascular disorders

ARBs are widely used for the treatment of hypertension because of well-documented safety and efficacy. A meta-analysis by the Blood Pressure Lowering Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration group indicates that similar to other commonly used blood pressure-lowering regimens, various AT1 receptor blockers result in a similar reduction of total major cardiovascular events through management of elevated arterial blood pressure.54 A recent meta-analysis of 108 studies in 464,000 patients by Law et al also confirmed that all the major classes of blood pressure-lowering drugs have a similar effect on reducing coronary heart disease events and stroke for a given reduction in blood pressure.55

Heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction are two of the main outcomes of uncontrolled hypertension in elderly patients.56 Overactivation of the RAAS and the sympathetic nervous system are crucial in the pathogenesis and progression of chronic heart failure.57 For this reason, treatments targeting the RAAS, typically with an ACE inhibitor or ARB, in patients with heart failure have been shown to substantially improve mortality and morbidity.58–60

The Evaluation of Losartan in the Elderly (ELITE) trial was the first moderately long (48 weeks) randomized study comparing losartan with captopril in 722 elderly patients aged ≥65 years with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II–IV heart failure and an ejection fraction of ≤40%.61 After 48 weeks, patients in both groups had similar improvement in NYHA functional class compared with baseline (80% of losartan-treated patients vs 81% of captopril-treated patients), and hospitalizations were less frequent with losartan than with captopril treatment (22.2% vs 29.7%). However, significantly more patients withdrew from captopril than from losartan (21% vs 12%; P = 0.002), primarily due to captopril-related side effects such as cough, angioedema, and rash. Moreover, patients in the losartan group had a 46% reduction in all-cause mortality in comparison with those in the captopril group (P = 0.035), which was primarily due to a reduced incidence of sudden cardiac death. Notably, the reduction in mortality with ACEI or ARB treatment was not the primary endpoint of this study. As a result, a large-scale randomized trial, the Losartan Heart Failure Survival Study (ELITE II), was initiated.

ELITE II was a double-blind randomized controlled trial in 3152 patients (mean age 71 years) with NYHA class II–IV heart failure and an ejection fraction of ≤40% and was designed to test the superiority of losartan to captopril in improving survival and tolerability.62 After a median follow-up of 555 days, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (17.7% losartan vs 15.9% captopril), sudden death (8.2% losartan vs 6.4% captopril), or resuscitated arrests (9.0% losartan vs 7.3% captopril). However, significantly fewer patients discontinued treatment in the losartan group because of adverse effects (9.7% vs 14.7%; P = 0.001) or cough (0.3% vs 2.7%).

The Valsartan Heart Failure Trial was the first large trial to study the effects of additional ARB treatment on standard heart failure therapy.63 In this study, 5010 patients (mean age 62.7 years) with NYHA class II–IV and an ejection fraction of ≤40% were randomized to receive valsartan or placebo in addition to standard therapy. After an average follow-up of 23 months, there was no difference in overall mortality between the two groups (19.7% valsartan vs 19.4% placebo). However, valsartan treatment was associated with a reduced risk for a combined endpoint of mortality plus morbidity, cardiac arrest with resuscitation, hospitalization for heart failure, or intravenous inotropic or vasodilator therapy (28.8% valsartan vs 32.1% placebo; P = 0.009). This reduction was mainly driven by a 24% reduction in risk of hospitalization for heart failure in the valsartan group.63 Notably, a subgroup of 366 patients (7%) in this study were not treated with an ACEI, which allowed comparison of valsartan as monotherapy with placebo.64 The results from this subgroup indicated a significant reduction in both all-cause mortality (30%; P = 0.01) and all-cause hospitalizations (45%; P = 0.0002). Exclusion of this subgroup of patients made the observed overall reduction in the combined endpoint of mortality and morbidity no longer significant for the whole study.

The Candesartan in Heart Failure Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity (CHARM) trials compared candesartan with placebo (in parallel, double-blind, randomized controlled studies) in three distinct populations with NYHA class II–IV heart failure. Patients were randomized to one of three trials: those who were not receiving ACEIs because of intolerance (CHARM-Alternative), patients with similar symptoms who were already receiving an ACEI (CHARM-Added), and patients with left ventricular ejection fractions ≥40% (CHARM-Preserved).65 The CHARM-Alternative trial included 2028 patients (average age 66.5 years).66 During a median follow-up of 33.7 months, the addition of candesartan to patients who were not on an ACEI was associated with a 30% decrease in risk of cardiovascular death or hospital admissions for heart failure compared with placebo (covariate adjusted hazards ratio, 0.70; P < 0.0001). In addition, study drug withdrawal rates were similar in both groups (30% vs 29%). In the CHARM-Added trial, the addition of candesartan to ongoing ACEI therapy was assessed in 2548 patients (mean age 64 years) with heart failure. After a median follow-up of 41 months, there was a significant reduction in cardiovascular death or hospital admissions for heart failure in the candesartan group compared with placebo (38% vs 42%; unadjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.85; P = 0.011).68 However, study-drug withdrawal rates due to adverse events or laboratory abnormalities were significantly higher in the candesartan group compared with placebo (24.2% vs 18.3%; P = 0.0003). The CHARM-Preserved trial assessed the effect of candesartan in 3023 patients (mean age 67.1 years) with a preserved ejection fraction (ie, ≥40%). At the end of 36.6 months, there was no difference in cardiovascular death (170 vs 170), but there were fewer hospital admissions for heart failure with candesartan (230 vs 279; P = 0.017).67 Composite outcomes that included nonfatal myocardial infarction and nonfatal stroke also showed similar results to the primary outcomes in both groups (25.6% candesartan vs 28.4% placebo; P = 0.078; covariate adjusted HR 0.86; P = 0.037). Overall results of the CHARM trials indicate that in patients with heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction, candesartan is an effective alternative to ACEIs in patients not able to tolerate an ACEI. In addition, routine use of an ARB in addition to standard therapy, which includes ACEIs, or in elderly patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular function does not appear justified due to a lack of efficacy and/or additional side effects.

The Optimal Trial in Myocardial Infarction with Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (OPTIMAAL) was another large randomized trial that studied the superiority of losartan to captopril in decreasing all-cause mortality in high-risk patients.69 In the study, 5477 patients (mean age 67.4 years) who had confirmed acute myocardial infarction and heart failure during the acute phase or a new Q wave anterior infarction or reinfarction were randomly assigned and titrated to a target dose of losartan (50 mg once daily) or captopril (50 mg three times daily) as tolerated. After an average follow-up of 2.7 years, there were no significant differences in all-cause mortality (18.2% vs 16.4%), sudden death or resuscitated arrests (8.7% vs 7.4%), or nonfatal reinfarctions (14.0% vs 13.9%) between the two treatment groups. Similar to previous findings, losartan was better tolerated than captopril with fewer patient withdrawals (17% vs 23%; P < 0.0001).

The Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction trial (VALIANT) was a double-blind, randomized study that compared the effects of valsartan in patients who had suffered a recent myocardial infarction.70 In this study, 17,703 patients (mean age 64 years) were randomized to receive valsartan, valsartan plus captopril, or captopril in addition to standard therapy within 0.5–10 days after an acute myocardial infarction. After a median follow-up of 24.7 months, there were no differences in mortality or fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events between the three groups (valsartan group 19.9%; valsartan plus captopril group 19.3%; captopril group 19.5%). The HR for death in the valsartan group as compared with the captopril group was 1.00 (97.5% confidence internal [CI] 0.90–1.11; P = 0.98), and the HR for death in the valsartan plus captopril group as compared with the captopril group was 0.98 (97.5% CI 0.89–1.09; P = 0.73). Notably, the valsartan plus captopril group had the most drug-related adverse effects compared with the other two groups (34.8% valsartan plus captopril group vs 29.4% valsartan group vs 28.4% captopril group; P < 0.05 for differences between the captopril group).

The Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial (ONTARGET) involved 25,620 patients (mean age 66.4 years) with established coronary artery, peripheral vascular or cerebrovascular disease, or diabetes with end-organ damage, who after a 3-week single-blind run-in period underwent double-blind randomization with the ACEI ramipril (n = 8576), ARB telmisartan (n = 8542), or both drugs combined (n = 8502).71 The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether telmisartan was superior or inferior to ramipril and whether the combination was superior to ramipril monotherapy in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients at high risk of having a vascular event or diabetes but without heart failure. After a median follow-up of 56 months, there was no statistically significant difference in death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, and stroke or in hospitalization for heart failure between the treatment groups (16.5% ramipril vs 16.7% telmisartan vs 16.3% combination). Compared with ramipril, telmisartan was associated with lower rates of cough (1.1% vs 4.2%; P < 0.001) and angioedema (0.1% vs 0.3%; P = 0.01) and higher rates of hypotensive symptoms (1.7% vs 2.6%; P < 0.001). In addition, compared with ramipril alone, the combination was associated with more hypotensive symptoms (1.7% vs 4.8%; P < 0.001), syncope (0.2% vs 0.3%; P = 0.03), diarrhea (0.1% vs 0.5%; P < 0.001), and renal dysfunction (0.7% vs 1.1%; P < 0.001). Thus, although telmisartan was demonstrated to be noninferior to ramipril in reducing cardiovascular events in patients at high risk of an event, the combination of an ACEI and an ARB did not result in additive benefits and was associated with increased side effects.

The Telmisartan Randomized Assessment Study in ACE Intolerant Subjects With Cardiovascular Disease (TRANSCEND) was one of the components of ONTARGET, which involved 5926 high-risk patients who exhibited clinical intolerance to ACEIs.72 After a 3-week run-in period, patients were randomized to receive telmisartan (n = 2954) or placebo (n = 2972), and the same primary outcome as in ONTARGET was assessed. After a median follow-up of 56 months, there was no difference in the primary outcome of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure between telmisartan and placebo (HR 0.92; 95% CI 0.81–1.05; P = 0.216). The composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke was lower in telmisartan group compared with placebo after adjustment for multiplicity of comparisons and overlap with the primary outcome (relative risk 0.87; 95% CI 0.76–1.00; unadjusted P = 0.048 vs adjusted P = 0.068). Telmisartan was associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons compared with placebo (30.3% vs 33.0%; P = 0.025).

The findings of these major clinical outcome studies on ARBs are summarized in Table 1. Overall, the major clinical outcomes of these trials, which primarily involved elderly patients, demonstrate that ARBs reduce cardiovascular events in patients, including those who are at high risk, equivalent to ACEIs and that this class of drugs can be considered as a first-line therapy in those intolerant to ACEI therapy.

Table 1

Major clinical trials of angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists in the elderly

Study	Patients	Treatment groups	Primary outcome	Results
Comparison with ACEIs
ONTARGET71	25,620 patients at high risk of coronary, peripheral, or CBV events; mean age 66.4 years	Telmisartan 80 mg/dayaRamipril 10 mg/dayaTelmisartan 80 mg/day + ramipril 10 mg/daya	Composite of death from cardiovascular causes, MI, stroke, or hospitalization for HF	Telmisartan 16.7%, ramipril 16.5%RR 1.01 (P = 0.01)Telmisartan + ramipril 16.3%RR 0.99 (P < 0.001)
VALIANT70	14,703 patients with AMI and clinical HF or EF ≤ 35%; mean age 65 years	Valsartan 247 mg/dayaCaptopril 117 mg/dayaValsartan 116 mg/day + captopril 107 mg/daya	Mortality from any cause	Valsartan 19.9%, captopril 19.5%HR 1.00 (0.90, 1.1; P = 0.98)Valsartan + captopril 19.3%HR 0.98 (0.89, 1.09; P = 0.73)
OPTIMAAL69	5477 patients with AMI and HF; mean age 67.4 years	Losartan 45 mg/dayaCaptopril 44 mg tida	All-cause mortality	Losartan 18%, captopril 16%RR 1.13 (0.99, 1.28; P = 0.07)
ELITE II62	3152 patients NYHA class II–IV HF, EF ≤ 40%; mean age 71.5 years	Losartan 50 mg/dayCaptopril 50 mg tid	All-cause mortality, sudden death, or resuscitated arrest	Losartan 17.7%, captopril 15.9%HR 1.13 (0.95, 1.35; P = 0.16)
ELITE61	722 ACEI naive patients, NYHA class II–IVHF, EF ≤ 40%; mean age 73.5 years	Losartan 42.6 mg/dayaCaptopril 122.7 mg/daya	Tolerability measure of a persisting increase in serum creatinine of 26.5 μmol/L or more (≥ 0.3 mg/dL) on therapy	Losartan 4.8%, captopril 8.7%RR 0.46 (0.05, 0.69; P = 0.035)
Comparison with placebo
TRANSCEND72	5926 patients at high risk of coronary, peripheral, or CBV events; mean age 66.9 years	Telmisartan 80 mg/dayPlacebo	Composite of cardiovascular death, MI, stroke, or hospitalization for HF	Telmisartan 15.7%, placebo 17%, HR 0.92 (0.95; P = 0.216)
CHARMPRESERVED68	3023 patients with CHF (NYHA II–IV)EF > 40%, mean age 67.1 years	Candesartan 4–32 mg/dayPlacebo	Cardiovascular death or admission to hospital for CHF	Candesartan 11.2%, placebo 11.3%, AHR 0.95 (0.76, 1.18; P = 0.635)
CHARMALTERNATIVE66	2028 patients with CHF (NYHA II–IV), EF ≤ 40%, mean age 66.5 years	Candesartan 4–32 mg/dayPlacebo	Composite of cardiovascular death or hospital admission for CHF	Candesartan 26%, placebo 29%, AHR 0.83 (0.70, 0.99; P = 0.033)
Val-HeFTSUBGROUP60	366 patients with CHF (NYHA II–IV), EF < 40%, LVIDD > 2.9 cm/m2; mean age 67.2 years	Valsartan 40–160 mg bidPlacebo	Time to death and time to composite endpoint of first mortality or morbidity, defined as death, sudden death with resuscitation, hospital admission for HF, or administration of intravenous inotropic or vasodilator drugs for ≥ 4 h without hospital admission	Valsartan 17.3%, placebo 27.1%RR 0.67 (0.64, 1.06; P = 0.017)
Addition of AT1 receptor antagonist to ACEIs
CHARMADDED67	2548 patients with CHF (NYHA II–IV), EF ≤ 40%; mean age 64 years	Candesartan 4–32 mg/dayPlacebo	Composite of cardiovascular death or hospital admission for CHF	Candesartan 23.7%, placebo 27.3%RR 0.83 (0.71, 0.97; P = 0.021)
Val-HeFT63	5010 patients with CHF (NYHA II–IV), EF < 40%, LVIDD > 2.9 cm/m2; mean age 62.7 years	Valsartan 254 mg/dayaPlacebo	Mortality and the combined endpoint of mortality and morbidity, defined as the incidence of cardiac arrest with resuscitation, hospitalization for HF, or receipt of intravenous inotropic or vasodilator therapy for at least 4 h	Valsartan 19.7%, placebo 19.4%RR 1.02 (0.88, 1.18; P = 0.80)

Note:

Mean daily dose.

Abbreviations: ACEIs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; AHR, adjusted hazard ratio; AMI, acute myocardial infarction; bid, twice daily; CBV, cardiopulmonary blood volume; CHARM, Candesartan in Heart Failure Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity; CHF, congestive heart failure; EF, ejection fraction; ELITE, Evaluation of Losartan in the Elderly; HF, heart failure; HR, hazard ratio; LVIDD, left ventricular internal diastolic diameter; MI, myocardial infarction; NYHA, New York Heart Association; ONTARGET, The Ongoing Telmisartan Alone and in Combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial; RR, risk ratio; OPTIMAAL, Optimal Trial in Myocardial Infarction With Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan; tid, three times daily; TRANSCEND, The Telmisartan Randomized Assessment Study in ACE Intolerant Subjects With Cardiovascular Disease; Val-HeFT, Valsartan in Heart Failure Trial; VALIANT, Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial.

Use of angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists in type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is rapidly increasing worldwide in all patient groups, including the elderly.73 It is estimated that 50% of patients with diabetes suffer from hypertension, and this number is even higher in the elderly.74 Additionally, chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes, and the role of the RAAS in the development of CKD in patients with diabetes has been well documented.75,76 A number of clinical studies, including Irbesartan in Type 2 Diabetes (IRMA 2),77 the Irbesartan Type 2 Diabetic Nephropathy Trial (IDNT),78 Reduction in End Points in NIDDM with the Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan (RENAAL),79 and Microalbuminuria Reduction with Valsartan (MARVAL),80 have established the superior efficacy of AT1 receptor antagonists over conventional, non-ACEI, blood pressure-lowering agents in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal insufficiency. Importantly, these studies have highlighted that the renoprotective effects of AT1 receptor antagonists are not solely due to a reduction of blood pressure. Instead, multiple actions of ARBs appear to be responsible for beneficial effects of these agents in diabetes.81 In fact, blockade of angiotensin II binding to the AT1 receptor results in improvement of insulin and glucose metabolism at different levels, including an improvement in insulin secretion and peripheral insulin responses.82,83 Moreover, angiotensin II signaling is implicated in vascular injury associated with diabetes, and inhibition of AT1 receptors attenuates these responses markedly, including the diabetic proinflammatory state.84

These molecular mechanisms can be translated into clinical settings. A recent meta-analysis that combined 22 clinical trials with 143,153 patients treated with different antihypertensive agents confirmed that ARBs potently decrease the relative risk for new onset of diabetes by 38% compared with diuretics.85 In these studies, treatment of patients with diabetes with ARBs resulted in a substantial reduction of cardiovascular endpoints, underlining that blockade of AT1 receptors may potentially provide not only antidiabetic action but also cardiovascular protection in diabetes. As a result, AT1 receptor antagonists are recommended as a first-line therapy in patients with hypertension and concomitant type 2 diabetes and/or CKD.13,86

Efficacy and tolerability studies of ARBs in elderly patients

The Losartan Intervention for Endpoint Reduction in Hypertension Study (LIFE) was one of the first clinical trials to demonstrate that AT1 receptor antagonists may have greater benefits than other antihypertensives in high-risk patients, including the elderly.87 In this double-blind trial, 9193 patients aged between 55 and 80 years (mean age 66.7 years) with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG were randomized to either once-daily losartan or atenolol. After a mean follow-up of 4 years, the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, which included stroke, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death, was reduced 13% more in losartan-treated patients compared with the atenolol-treated group (P = 0.021). In addition, the incidence of fatal or nonfatal stroke was 25% lower in the losartan group compared with the atenolol group (P = 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in coronary events between both groups (17% vs 15% for losartan and atenolol, respectively). Importantly, the extent of a reduction of mean arterial blood pressure was essentially identical in the treatment groups (102.2 vs 102.4 mm Hg for losartan and atenolol, respectively). In a subgroup of 1195 patients with diabetes, losartan decreased the primary composite endpoint by 24% (18% vs 23% for losartan and atenolol, respectively; P = 0.031). In addition, there was a statistically significant reduction in cardiovascular and total mortality in the losartan group (P = 0.028 and P = 0.002, respectively).88 Notably, when stratified by race (black and nonblack groups), there was a lower risk for the primary endpoint with atenolol versus losartan (HR 1.67 for losartan vs atenolol; P = 0.033).89,90

The Study of Cognition and Prognosis in the Elderly (SCOPE) was a prospective, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study that compared candesartan with placebo in 4964 elderly hypertensive patients aged between 70 and 89 years. The primary goal of this study was to assess whether treatment with candesartan in elderly subjects with mildly to moderately elevated blood pressure results in a reduction of cardiovascular events, cognitive decline, and dementia.91 During a mean follow-up of 44.6 months, there was no difference in the reduction of mean arterial blood pressure with candesartan versus placebo (145.2 vs 148.5 mm Hg, respectively). However, despite no significant difference in arterial blood pressure, candesartan was associated with a 27.8% reduction in nonfatal stroke (P = 0.04) and a 23.6% reduction in all strokes (P = 0.056) compared with placebo. There was no statistically significant difference in myocardial infarction (1.9% candesartan vs 2.0% placebo) or cardiovascular mortality (15.6% candesartan vs 16.6% placebo). An analysis including only patients with isolated systolic hypertension, a type of hypertension very common in the elderly, showed a 40% reduction in stroke in patients treated with candesartan (P = 0.05).92,93

The Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation (VALUE) trial was a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study in 15,245 patients aged above 50 years (mean age 67.2 years) suffering from hypertension and additional diseases conferring high risk of cardiac events, where the effects of an ARB therapy (valsartan 80–160 mg/day) were compared with calcium channel blocker therapy (amlodipine 5–10 mg/day).94 During the first year, amlodipine reduced the mean arterial blood pressure by an extra 1.5/1.3 mm Hg compared with valsartan (P < 0.001). However, over a mean follow-up of 4.2 years, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups with regard to cardiac mortality (4.0% vs 4.0%), morbidity (7.7% vs 7.6%), or overall mortality (11.0% vs 10.8%). There was a trend toward a higher incidence of stroke (4.2% valsartan and 3.7% amlodipine; P = 0.08) and myocardial infarction (4.8% valsartan vs 4.1% amlodipine; P = 0.02) and a decreased incidence of heart failure (4.6% valsartan vs 5.3% amlodipine; P = 0.12) in the valsartan group. Additionally, it was shown that valsartan therapy reduced the onset of diabetes in patients by 23% (P = 0.0001).94 Similar findings were reported in other clinical trials with AT1 receptor antagonists,65,95 which may represent a long-term benefit of ARBs that is probably not easily observable in short-term clinical studies monitoring cardiovascular outcomes.65,95

Clinical trials investigating the efficacy of AT1 receptor antagonists have reported adverse event rates similar to those seen with placebo and considerably lower than those in groups treated with ACEIs.62,96–98 Comparable tolerability profiles were identified in the elderly population, with relatively few undesirable effects reported in patients receiving ARBs compared with ACEIs.61

Undesirable effects of AT1 receptor antagonists that have been reported include fatigue, dizziness, headache, hyperkalemia, hypotension, and acute renal insufficiency in predisposed patients or those at risk.99,100 Hyperkalemia is increased primarily in patients already receiving therapy that targets the RAAS (eg, concomitant ACEI use or aldosterone receptor antagonists), as well as in patients with accompanying renal impairment, heart failure, and/or renal tubular acidosis associated with diabetes.101,102 Additionally, a dramatic increase (∼seven-fold) in the risk of hyperkalemia-associated hospitalizations was reported in patients on concomitant therapy of ARBs or ACEIs and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole in elderly patients, suggesting the use of alternative antibiotic therapy in this population.103

As with many other drugs that posses a vasodilating effect, ARBs should be used with caution in patients with aortic or mitral stenosis and obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In long-term studies, ARBs did not appear to affect concentrations of fasting serum glucose, fasting triglycerides, serum uric acid, urinary uric acid secretion, or total cholesterol.104,105 ARBs have been extensively employed in patients with unilateral renal stenosis without any secondary effects on renovascular hypertension.101,102

In a recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of ARBs, Sipahi et al reported that ARBs are associated with a modestly increased risk of new cancer diagnosis (7.2% vs 6.0%; risk ratio 1.08; 95% CI 1.01–1.15; P = 0.016).106 Undoubtedly, this study received considerable attention, as the possibility that ARBs might increase the risk for cancer is of great concern.107 Importantly, the authors of the study as well as many critics acknowledge the limitations of the analysis, which was based on a post hoc analysis of an incomplete database and included trials that were not designed to explore cancer outcomes.108 Despite the limitations, the study of Sipahi et al raises several concerns that have important clinical relevance, and their findings warrant further investigations to draw conclusions about the exact risk of cancer associated with the overall class of ARBs and/or particular members of this class.109

Very few drug–drug interactions of clinical importance have been noted with ARBs.52,100,110 These observations were confirmed by in vitro screening studies with human hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, indicating negligible inhibitory potential of these drugs.111 In addition, neither induction nor inhibition of CYP isoenzymes was observed with valsartan.100 Likewise, nonsignificant interactions were observed between irbesartan and CYP2C9 substrates such as tolbutamide, warfarin, and nifedipine.112

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of various AT1 receptor antagonists

It is well known that pharmacokinetic profiles of drugs can be modified by age.113 For example, changes in the body composition (eg, lean body mass, body water, and fat) can influence drug distribution and half-life without substantial changes in drug absorption.114,115 In patients with chronic diseases that are often common in the elderly, plasma albumin concentrations may be decreased, resulting in elevated concentrations of free acidic drugs.116 In addition, the level of plasma α-1-acid glycoprotein, a key plasma protein responsible for binding and transport of many drugs, is also increased in several conditions, including cardiovascular, kidney, liver, inflammatory, and central nervous system disorders.117 Increased bioavailability and prolonged half-life of drugs in aging patients can also be reasoned by decreased intestinal and hepatic metabolism of drugs, as well as decreased renal elimination of metabolites and parent compounds.

The main pharmacokinetic properties of currently available ARBs are summarized in Table 2. Telmisartan is a highly lipophilic drug with a long plasma half-life (20–38 h) and large volume of distribution (7 L/kg). In contrast, candesartan has a very small volume of distribution (0.13 L/kg), indicating restrictive protein binding of the drug and limited tissue distribution. Among all of the ARBs, only losartan, candesartan, and irbesartan are metabolized by CYP isoenzymes.118 Approximately 14% of a given dose of losartan is converted into the free carboxylic acid form EXP3174, an active metabolite of the parent drug with noncompetitive/insurmountable antagonistic activity.102 Irbesartan is mainly metabolized by CYP2C9 and CYP3A4, and it undergoes glucuronidation.99 Valsartan undergoes an oxidative biotransformation to an active metabolite valerly-4-hydroxy-valsartan.119

Table 2

Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of ARBs

Drug	Candesartan132	Eprosartan141–144	Irbesartan99,145,146	Losartan52	Olmesartan147	Telmisartan107,129,130	Valsartan100,131
Dosage (mg/day)	8–32	400–800	150–300	25–100	20–40	20–80	80–320
Tmax (h)	3–5	1–3	1.5–2	1–2	1–3	0.5–1	2–4
Half-life (h)	5–9	5–9	11–15	1–3	10–15	20–38	6–9
Vd (L)	0.13	13	53–93	34	17	500–2000	17
Protein binding (%)	>99	98	90–96	>99	99	>99.5	94–97
Metabolism	CYP2C9	2% glucuronide	<20% CYP2C9	14% CYP2C9	None	Glucuronide	10% oxidative
Excretion: renal vs fecal (%)	33–67	7–90	20–80	40–60	35–50	2–98	13–83
Bioavailability (%)	15	13	60–80	33	26–29	40–60	10–35
Active metabolite	Candesartan	No	No	E-3174	Olmesartan	No	No
Receptor antagonism type	Noncompetitive	Competitive	Noncompetitive	Both	Competitive	Noncompetitive	Noncompetitive
Drug interactions	None	None	None	None	None	Digoxin	None

Abbreviations: ARBs, angiotensin receptor blockers; Tmax, time to reach peak maximum concentration following drug administration; Vd, volume of distribution.

A number of ARBs (eg, eprosartan, irbesartan, and telmisartan) undergo phase II metabolic transformation through acyl glucuronidation in the liver and gastrointestinal system.120,121 Glucuronides are excreted by urine and bile, and in the latter case the conjugates are cleaved by bacterial enzymes, leading to liberation of parent compounds or metabolites in the gastrointestinal system. Notably, this metabolic pathway may be impaired by deficiency of uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1, which is considered a potential target for polymorphic variations.122 AT1 receptor antagonists are largely eliminated by biliary excretion, although losartan and olmesartan show more substantial renal excretion. Average elimination time of the AT1 receptor blockers is between 5 and 9 h, except losartan, which has the shortest plasma elimination half-life of 1–3 h, and telmisartan, which has the longest plasma elimination half-life of ∼24 h.52,100,107,123,124 In general, duration of action of receptor antagonists depends on the rate of their dissociation from the target receptor, which is the case for ARBs as well. All of the ARBs are very effective with once-daily administration, although losartan and eprosartan may provide better 24-h effects when given twice daily.

The area under the plasma concentration–time curve for a number of ARBs (ie, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, olmesartan, and valsartan but not telmisartan) has been shown to increase in the elderly compared with a younger population.121,125–129 Nevertheless, the recommended starting dose for most AT1 receptor antagonists (candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan) has not been changed in the elderly, which is explained by possible decreased activity of circulating RAAS. It has been demonstrated that patients with moderate hepatic impairment have increased plasma concentrations of most AT1 receptor antagonists, which may require dose adjustments in individual patients, depending on tolerability and response to the drug.105 The recommended maximal daily dose of ARBs for patients with moderate hepatic impairment should not exceed 12 mg for candesartan, 20 mg for olmesartan, 40 mg for telmisartan, or 80 mg for valsartan.130–133 In addition, patients with portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis should only be treated with irbesartan.134 As renal elimination is not a major route of excretion for most AT1 receptor antagonists, dose adjustments are usually not required for patients with renal impairment, although lower starting doses are typically used for most patients. Importantly, careful monitoring of renal function is vital after starting ARBs in patients with pre-existing renal impairment.101,135,136

Summary and conclusion

ARBs represent a contemporary class of drugs often used for the treatment of elevated arterial blood pressure in the elderly population, both as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. Although current hypertension guidelines recommend thiazide diuretics as first-line therapy for most patients with hypertension in the absence of a compelling indication, data are now available supporting the use of ARBs as a first-line agent, and it is likely that they will be included as an option for initial management when the new JNC 8 guidelines are released.13,17,137,138 In addition to hypertension, ARBs are also recommended as a first-line agent in patients with type 2 diabetes with microalbuminuria or nephropathy.17,139 In patients with high arterial blood pressure and heart failure, ARBs are recommended only when ACEIs are not tolerated.140 They are also recommended for elderly patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, as they have been found to be superior to β-blocker-based regimens in such high-risk subjects and have a better profile for stroke prevention.87 Due to the fact that ARBs are very well tolerated, may be dosed once daily, and have few drug–drug interactions, these agents are an important alternative to other blood pressure-lowering medications. The main disadvantage of ARBs is their cost, as they are typically the most expensive group of blood pressure-lowering agents. However, with the approval of generic losartan and other generic agents in future, it is likely that the use of ARBs as first-line therapy, particularly in the elderly, will continue to grow.