Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists in Essential and Resistant Hypertension.

BACKGROUND

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists are a second-line class of antihypertensive drugs, which have been accounted for as the optimal add-on therapy in the triple algorithm for the management of resistant hypertension.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in the treatment of patients with essential hypertension and resistant hypertension.

METHOD: We conducted a meticulous review of the literature and comprehensive identification of the clinical trials assessing the efficacy of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists in individuals with primary and resistant hypertension.

RESULTS

MRAs have been thoroughly tested in several clinical studies in relevance to blood pressure lowering effects, over the last six decades. Accumulating data observed that MRAs resulted in a significant reduction in blood pressure level in patients with resistant hypertension. In addition, spironolactone was found to beneficially affect the management of resistant hypertension.

CONCLUSION

Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists exert a significant antihypertensive effect. Future welldesigned randomized controlled studies are greatly needed to address crucial clinical aspects in the field.