ABSTRACT
Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers are extensively used worldwide to treat many cardiovascular disorders, where they are effective in reducing both mortality and morbidity. These drugs are known to induce an increased expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). ACE2 acts as receptor for the novel SARS coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which raising the important issue of possible detrimental effects that RAS blockers could exert on the natural history and pathogenesis of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and associated excessive inflammation, myocarditis and cardiac arrhythmias. We review the current knowledge on the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 infection and RAS blockers and suggest a scientific rationale for continuing RAS blockers therapy in patients with COVID-19 infection.
Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus , Coronavirus Infections/drug therapy , Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/metabolism , Pneumonia, Viral/drug therapy , Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors , COVID-19 , Coronavirus Infections/epidemiology , Coronavirus Infections/metabolism , Humans , Pandemics , Pneumonia, Viral/epidemiology , Pneumonia, Viral/metabolism , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
During the year 2000 the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) of Friuli Venezia Giulia together with the Pordenone Province carried out a survey to determine the radon concentration in the schools. About 900 measurements have been carried out in 300 schools located both in the mountainous and in the flat territory. Moreover, geological information was gathered. both on a regional scale and, where possible, on a small detailed scale. The purpose of this study is to consider the possibility of using all the data collected to discover some radon prone areas. The first results of this study seem to locate some radon prone areas where the cover consists of very permeable gravelly deposits.
