CLINICAL ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN CORONAVIRUS INFECTION (COVID-19) AND ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION: PATHOGENETIC MECHANISMS AND DISCUSSION ON THE USE OF INHIBITORS OF THE RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN-ALDOSTERONE SYSTEM

A review of current publications suggests that patients with arterial hypertension (AH) are at increased risk for severe course and fatal outcome of COVID-19. The main pathogenetic mechanisms explaining the association of AH with COVID-19 include the effect of coronavirus on the functioning of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which is involved in the development and progression of AH. The review presents the results of a number of studies evaluating the effect of the use of ACE inhibitors / ARBs on the development and course of COVID-19 in patients with cardiovascular diseases. The results of international data analysis showed that the use of ACE inhibitors / ARBs in patients with AH and COVID-19 is associated with lower rates of total mortality, and the use of ACE inhibitors, statins and the female sex are associated with a greater likelihood of patient survival. The data on the promising development of new drugs affecting the functioning of RAAS are presented.