Angiotensin ii receptor blockers and statins in the prevention of severe, hospitalization and complica¬tions of SARS-COV-2

Abstract

The review article summarizes the world’s research on the effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers and statins on the frequency of severe course, hospitalization, development of complications and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 in patients at risk by age and concomitant diseases. Given the extremely wide range of antihypertensive, anti-ischemic, and other cardiac medications that patients take for a long time before and during SARS-CoV-2, the search for optimal remedies remains difficult, and the amount of relevant data has long been insufficient to draw even preliminary conclusions. Some of the most common antihypertensive medications are angiotensin II receptor blockers. According to current data, it is recommended to continue taking these drugs in patients with COVID-19 who are already on such therapy, until acute contraindications occur. Other common medications that can prevent and slow endothelial damage are statins used for lipidlowering purposes in patients with atherosclerosis. In addition to direct protective effects on the vascular endothelium, statins have a number of characteristics that suggest their ability to prevent pathological processes characteristic of severe and very severe COVID-19: cytokine storm and vascular microthrombosis.