Stroke prevention with losartan in the context of other antihypertensive drugs

Several large clinical trials have demonstrated that successful control of blood pressure decreases the incidence of strokes. Also, drugs that stimulate the production of angiotensin II, such as diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), provide additional stroke reduction than drugs that suppress angiotensin II production such as beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Since the stroke-protective effect of angiotensin II is mediated through stimulation of the AT(2) receptors, drugs that selectively block the AT(1), such as the ARBs, provide greater stroke protection than the other antihypertensive drugs. The blockade of the AT(1) receptors lessens local brain ischemia, whereas the stimulation of the AT(2) receptors increases local blood flow through recruitment of collateral vessels. Among the ARBs, losartan possesses certain unique properties not shared by other members of its class, which enhance its stroke-protective effects. These include the prevention of platelet adhesiveness and aggregation and the decrease of serum uric acid levels, which both lead to reduction in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. (C) 2004 Prous Science. All rights reserved.