ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEi) do not decrease plasma angiotensin II levels in chronic use to the same extent as in acute use. this reincrease in angiotensin II level is explained either by a renin-mediated reactive rise in plasma angiotensin I or by non-ACE dependent angiotensin II generation. The aim of this study was to compare the additive effects of an ACEi and angiotensin II receptor antagonist(AT1a) in antiproteinuric effect, hyperkalemia, and hypotension. METHODS: 58 outpatients with chronic renal insufficiency were included and they were randomly classified into two groups : Group I(prescribed AT1a only), Group II(AT1a and ACEi combination therapy), and the changes of serum creatinine, the amount of proteinuria, the developement of hyperkalemia, and hypotension were evaluated. RESULTS: In group I, the amount of proteinuria decreased to 92.8% of initial amount at 1 month after the start of drugs. 2 of 28 patients(7.1%) developed hyperkalemia, and serum creatinine did not change (1.686+/-1.415mg/dL 1.821+/-1.301mg/dL, p=0.289). But in combination therapy group, serum creatinine level increased from baseline value of 1.466+/-0.619mg/dL to 1.800+/-0.881mg/dL(p=0.05), proteinuria did not change (101% of initial amount), and 7 of 30 patients(23.3%) developed hyperkalemia. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy seems to have no additive antiproteinuric effect, but serum creatinine and potassium levels should be closely monitered during the combination therapy.