SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL of the Hungarian Society of Cardiology

Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic

█ Review

DOI: 10.26430/CHUNGARICA.2020.50.2.93

Authors:
Nagy Viktor
Semmelweis Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, II. sz. Belgyógyászati Klinika, Budapest

Summary

The receptor for the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. From another point of view, if the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme2 is excessively reduced during infection, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) becomes more severe and, in the case of reexpression, much milder. Many patients with coronavirus disease-2019 suffer from cardiovascular disease. However, the disease can have severe lung and heart complications. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may increase the levels of angiotensin converting enzyme2 in the body. However, there is no evidence to hypothesize that these agents increase the risk of infection. Therefore, to the best of our knowledge, discontinuation of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blocker therapy is not professionally justified.

ISSUE: CARDIOLOGIA HUNGARICA | 2020 | VOLUME 50, ISSUE 2

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