Is there a place for combining angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor antagonists in the treatment of hypertension, renal disease or congestive heart failure?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor subtype 1 antagonists have proven to be effective and well tolerated antihypertensive agents. They also exhibit unique cardioprotective and renoprotective properties in patients with comorbid conditions such as congestive heart failure and proteinuria or renal insufficiency. This benefit is observed most dramatically in diabetic persons. Although inconclusive, the results of a limited number of clinical trials support the notion that additive antihypertensive, cardioprotective, and renoprotective effects may be obtained with combined used of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor subtype 1 antagonists in some patients. More studies are needed to confirm the findings of these preliminary studies, and to define more clearly those subsets of patients who might derive the greatest benefit from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-angiotensin II receptor subtype 1 antagonist combination therapy.