Use of inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system in the prevention of cardiovascular events

Abstract

Use of an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, optionally together with an other antihypertensive, a cholesterol lowering agent, a diuretic or aspirin, in the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention of cardiovascular events; a method of preventing cardiovascular events comprising administering to a patient in need of such prevention an effective amount of an inhibitor of the renin angiotensin system or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, optionally together with an other antihypertensive, a cholesterol lowering agent, a diuretic or aspirin; and a combination product containing an an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof and a cholesterol lowering agent.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A method for the prevention or reduction of the risk of diabetic complications in a diabetic patient with an increased cardiovascular risk and no evidence of left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure, which comprises administering to the patient an effective amount of an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, optionally together with another antihypertensive, a cholesterol lowering agent, a diuretic or aspirin. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , where the diabetic complication is overt nephropathy, new microalbuminuria or the need for laser therapy or dialysis. 
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 16 , where diabetes is insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 16 , where diabetes is non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 16 , where the patient has at least one other risk factor. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20 , where the other risk factor is current or previous hypertension, elevated total cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, current cigarette smoking, known microalbuminuria or previous vascular disease. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 16 , where the patient is non-hypertensive. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 16 , where the patient is older than 55 years. 
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 16 , where the inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, an angiotensin II antagonist, or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative of any of these. 
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 24 , where the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor is omapatrilat, MDL100240, alacepril, benazepril, captopril, cilazapril, delapril, enalapril, enalaprilat, fosinopril, fosinoprilat, imidapril, lisinopril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, ramiprilat, saralasin acetate, temocapril, trandolapril, trandolaprilat, ceranapril, moexipril, quinaprilat and spirapril or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof. 
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25 , where the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor is ramipril or ramiprilat. 
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 24 , where the angiotensin II antagonist is saralasin acetate, candesartan cilexetil, valsartan, candesartan, losartan potassium, eprosartan, irbesartan, tasosartan, or telmisartan or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof. 
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 25 , where ramipril or ramiprilat or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof is used together with a cholesterol lowering agent. 
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 28 , where the cholesterol lowering agent is a statin. 
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 29 , where the statin is lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin or fluvastatin. 
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 30 , where the statin is pravastatin. 
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 30 , where the statin is simvastatin. 
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 16 , where the antihypertensive is a calcium channel blocker or a beta blocker.