Also, angiotensin II production may occur independently of ACE via other pathways. 1 Robert Segal AIIAs developed several years later introduced an alternative therapy to ACE inhibitors for the treatment of hypertension. AIIAs selectively block the effects of angiotensin II at the angiotensin II type 1 receptors. It was a logical next step to compare the two classes of drugs. As expected, losartan, the AIIA, was generally better tolerated, with fewer patients discontinuing therapy.
ACE inhibitors seem to decrease the number of progressive heart failure deaths.
But losartan has the added benefit of decreasing the number of sudden cardiac deaths, which are the primary cause of death in captopril patients. The study followed 722 heart-failure patients 65 years old and over, for 48 weeks. 47S-49S, Nov. 19, 1998. Inc. All rights reserved. We welcome your opinion.