The effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers on the course of COVID-19 in patients with arterial hypertension

Objective. To determine the presence or absence of the effect of therapy with renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers in patients with COVID-19.

Design and methods. We examined 57 patients who were treated in a medical unit at the FGAU CEC “Patriot” in the period from October to November 2020, with the diagnosis of “New coronavirus infection” and differed in the prescribed antihypertensive therapy. In group 1, drugs that affect the RAAS were used to treat hypertension before COVID-19 onset and during the treatment of COVID-19. In group 2, other drugs were used as the main antihypertensive agents before and during treatment for COVID-19. The severity of pneumonia in patients according to the results of computed tomography was 1–2. The patients were monitored for anthropometric indicators, body temperature, and laboratory data.

Results. Groups 1 and 2 are comparable, differing only by height, but not by body mass index. The duration of treatment in group 2 was 1–2 days shorter than in group 1, but the result is not statistically significant due to the small sample. Thus, the hypothesis that differences between previous and ongoing antihypertensive therapy throughout the COVID-19 treatment period may affect the course and effectiveness of treatment has not been confirmed.

Conclusions. Concomitant antihypertensive therapy with RAAS blockers does not alter the course of COVID-19 infection in patients. The duration of COVID-19 in patients receiving RAAS system blockers may be one day longer than for patients receiving other antihypertensive therapy.

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