Irbesartan (Aprovel) belongs into the new group drugs for the cardiovascular system which exert an antagonistic effect at the level of angiotensin II, but experimental pilot studies as well as clinical studies draw also attention to the possible therapeutic potential of AT1 receptor blockers in the treatment of chronic heart failure. Irbesartan has a marked antihypertensive effect as is apparent from a recent clinical study in 139 patients with mild and moderate hypertension--implemented in the Czech Republic. Twelve-week treatment with Irbesartan led to a marked drop of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (159.2 +/- 14 vs. 137 +/- 13 mmHg/99.2 +/- 7 vs. 85.3 +/- 7 mmHg, p < 0.01). A very favourable therapeutic effect was recorded in this investigation also in 24-hour monitoring of the blood pressure. The use of irbesartan in patients with arterial hypertension has according to other studies also a favourable effect on organ complications of hypertension and diabetes (regression of left ventricular hypertrophy, reduction of albuminuria). Irbesartan may prove due to its favourable effect a suitable alternative in conditions associated with intolerance of ACE-inhibitors in patients with moderate and severe forms of arterial hypertension, in chronic heart failure and in diabetic nephropathy.

Keywords: Angiotensin I /antagonists & inhibitors/; Antihypertensive Agents /therapeutic use/; Biphenyl Compounds /therapeutic use/; Female; Humans; Hypertension /drug therapy/; Irbesartan; Male; Middle Aged; Tetrazoles /therapeutic use/