Medications to treat high blood pressure did not impact the outcomes among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, noted an international team of researchers.

The study is the first randomized controlled trial to show that there is no risk for patients that continue to take these medications while hospitalized for COVID-19. As part of the Replace Covid trial, researchers investigated if ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) could help check complications or lead to more severe symptoms. A global rank score was developed to classify patient outcomes on the basis of four factors: time to death, length of time supported by mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), length of time on renal replacement therapy, and a modified sequential organ failure assessment score. Analyzing the patient outcome data, researchers noted that discontinuation of ACEIs and ARBs compared with continuation of these medications had no effect on the global rank score. The findings are published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine… (HT – ANI, January 8, 2021)