The angiotensin receptor antagonist valsartan: a review of the literature with a focus on clinical trials

Valsartan is an angiotensin receptor antagonist that specifically blocks the angiotensin II type 1 receptors. It is an effective and well-tolerated once-daily antihypertensive agent, with a tolerability profile similar to placebo. A recent series of large-scale clinical trials have shown the benefits of valsartan in disease states beyond hypertension. Based on the results of the Val-HeFT (Valsartan in Heart Failure Trial) and VALIANT (Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction Trial) studies, valsartan is indicated for use in patients with heart failure and in patients post-myocardial infarction. Recently, in the VALUE (Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation) trial, valsartan was no more cardioprotective than calcium channel blockers, but was shown to reduce the risk of developing new-onset diabetes in hypertensive patients at high risk of cardiac events compared with calcium antagonist treatment. In diabetic patients with microalbuminuria, valsartan has been shown to have benefits beyond those attributable to blood pressure lowering alone.