COVID-19 Pandemisi, Anjiyotensin dönüştürücü enzim (ACE) inhibitörleri ve Anjiyotensin Resepör Blokörlerinin (ARB) kullanımı

The rapid and progressive spread of the new SARS coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has significantly impacted the health of thousands of people, national health care systems and global economic stability. The characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 that distinguish this disease from influenza are higher transmission rates with higher risk of mortality than COVID-19, especially due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The mechanism of the SARS-CoV-2 infection is the binding of the virus to the membrane-bound form of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and the complex is taken up by the host cell. The assumption that ACE2 is the co-receptor of the coronavirus has led to the idea that the virus can be prevented from entering the cell by blocking or reducing its enzyme production. In addition, there are publications indicating; ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, which are drugs that are used frequently in patients with cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, increase ACE2 production. This has led to the discussion of the use of these drugs during COVID-19 infection. In this review, we aimed to discuss the relationship between ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and COVID-19.