Jana Klimasová, Ján Mazag
Medicaments from the group of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs ‒ sartans) belong to efficacious anti-hypertensives. The basic mechanism of action is comparable in all ARBs; however, individual molecules differ in affinity for an AT1 receptor, potential for interaction with other medicinal products, metabolism, usage in patients with renal function impairment. All ARBs are indicated to treat essential hypertension, however, data of sufficient quality and quantity comparing efficacy of particular ARBs are rarely available. ARBs are also indicated to treat heart failure (losartan, valsartan, candesartan), renal impairment (losartan, irbesartan), recent myocardial infarction (valsartan), to decrease the risk of stroke (losartan) and for cardiovascular prevention (telmisartan). Concerning adverse event occurrence, ARBs are well tolerated by patients.