Abstract:
Since the beginning of the recent SARS-COVID
pandemic, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
inhibitors (RAASIs) have been in the center of
controversy. The virus interacts with angiotensin
converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in the lungs
at the initial step of its entry in to the body. Theoretically, therapeutic use of RAASIs may aggravate
the severity of lung damage by increasing ACE2
expression in the lung tissues.
Given the widespread use of angiotensin converting
enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers
among patients with high blood pressure and other
non-communicable diseases in Sri Lanka, some
guidance on the use of these drugs in patients with
Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is needed.
At present there isn't any credible evidence to
support the withdrawals from those who are on
regular treatment with these drugs. We present the
available data on the subject while awaiting the
results of the observational studies that is being
conducted with RAAIs in patients with COVID-19.
