Researchers in a study found treatment with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor is as effective in high-risk patients as newer, more expensive angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) drugs. Participants in the study included patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney disease.
 
Although switching from an ARB to an ACE inhibitor was shown to reduce the cost of medical care while maintaining blood pressure, ARBs still have a place in the healthcare market: one side effect of ACE inhibitors is cough and ARBs do not have this side effect.

This article originally appeared in the May 2008 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Electronic Newsletter.