Antihypertensive Efficacy of the Direct Renin Inhibitor Aliskiren as Add-on Therapy in Patients with Poorly Controlled Hypertension

Objective A direct renin inhibitor, aliskiren, has a longer stable antihypertensive effect compared with other renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors. Methods This study was a 6-month, single-center, open trial conducted between December 2010 and November 2011 to assess the antihypertensive effect of adding aliskiren (300 mg) to the treatment of essential hypertension patients whose target blood pressure (BP) had not been achieved and to assess whether it was possible to reduce the amount of antihypertensive drugs used. Results The results showed an overall improvement in the target BP achievement rate of 60% for clinic BP and 52% for home BP measurements (75 cases total). The mean number of drugs before treatment with aliskiren was 3.28 +/- 1.52, whereas at the end of the six months the mean number of drugs prescribed other than aliskiren was 2.85 +/- 1.72 (p < 0.0001). Moreover, no worsening of the renal function was observed in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were being treated with other RAAS inhibitors in combination to aliskiren. Conclusion These results showed that when aliskiren was added to the treatment of poorly controlled hypertension, the BP achievement rate increased, and it was possible to reduce the amount of antihypertensive drugs used in combination with aliskiren. Moreover, as a result of careful monitoring of the renal function or decreasing the amounts of drugs used in combination, no worsening of the renal function was observed even in the cases complicated by diabetes or CKD being treated with other RAAS inhibitors.