Role of angiotensin receptor blockers in the prevention and treatment of arrhythmias

The renin-angiotensin system is a key regulatory system that is activated in many forms of cardiovascular disease. It is well established that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are important therapeutic agents in the treatment of hypertension, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. More recent research has suggested that renin-angiotensin system activation may also play a critical role in the genesis of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. The possible role of renin-angiotensin system activation in arrhythmogenesis suggests that ACE inhibitors and ARBs may be important therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of arrhythmias. This review summarizes the current evidence for the use of ARBs in the treatment of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.