British journal of clinical pharmacology
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Br J Clin Pharmacol · Jun 2021
Review Meta AnalysisComparison of infection risks and clinical outcomes in patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 lung infection under renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade: Systematic review and meta-analysis.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is the receptor for SARS-CoV-2. Animal studies suggest that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers might increase the expression of ACE2 and potentially increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. ⋯ ACEIs reduce the risk of getting infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Blocking the RAAS may decrease all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients. ACEIs also reduce the risk of non-COVID pneumonia. All-cause mortality due to non-COVID pneumonia is reduced by ACEI and potentially by ARBs.