ACE inhibitors, left ventricular mass and renal cyst growth in ADPKD

The review focuses on the common kidney disorder of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD). The potential pathogenetic role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the renal cyst growth, the accompanying hypertension, and the frequency of increased left ventricular mass is considered. The therapeutic benefit of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI) in diminishing the renal cyst growth, treatment of the hypertension, and reversing the increased left ventricular mass in ADPKD is supportive of this possibility. The effects of ACEI related and unrelated to control of blood pressure are discussed.