van Essen GG, Apperloo AJ, Sluiter WJ, de Zeeuw D, de Jong PE
Is ACE inhibition superior to conventional antihypertensive therapy in retarding progression in non-diabetic renal disease?
Am Soc Nephrol
J Am Soc Nephrol (abstract) (Sep) 7:1401 1996

The use of ACE inhibitors has been advocated to retard loss of renal function in CRF. In a prospective double blind trial, the effect of the ACE inhibitor enalapril was compared to the beta-blocker atenolol on the decline of GFR (125-I-iothalamate) in 89 patients with non-diabetic nephropathies (mean baseline GFR 53 ml/min, mean protein excretion approx. 1.5 g/d). The goal was a 10 mmHg decline in DBP. Mean follow up was 3.6 y. No significant difference in BP response or GFR slope was found between the two groups. The chance of missing a selective benefit for enalapril (Type II error) was estimated to be < 1.25%. The authors conclude that ACE inhibitors are not necessarily more beneficial than beta-blockers in non-diabetic renal diseases.

Comment: This is an important study and points to the paramount importance of BP control in the management of patients with CRF. Whether ACE inhibitors are more renoprotective than other antihypertensives in this population is as of yet unproven. (David J. Leehey, M.D., Loyola University at Chicago)

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Am Soc Nephrol
H: Pathophysiology : Kidney in hypertension
H: Drug therapy : Beta blockers