[Renin and the heart].

The inhibition of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has an effect beyond reducing blood pressure in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases; it also reduces mortality and morbidity. Although the classic RAS blockage is effective, due to blockage of negative feedback inhibition, it increases plasma renin activity and as a result generates a residual cardiovascular risk. Different from ACE-i and ARB treatments, aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, is the only pharmacologic agent that noticeably reduces the plasma renin activity, an independent cardiovascular risk factor. This creates a new option in RAS blockage. The efficacy and safety of aliskiren in the treatment of hypertension has been well established. The effect of aliskiren on cardiovascular mortality and morbidity is being researched. At this point there are many experimental and clinical studies to answer questions on this subject.