What should I be aware of when using renin-angiotensin inhibitors in the elderly?

  The most prominent problems associated with the use of renin-angiotensin inhibitors (RAAS) in the elderly are acute kidney injury (AKI), hyperkalemia, and hypotension.  The common predisposing factors for AKI due to RAAS inhibitors are reduced renal blood perfusion due to dehydration, hypotension, etc., combined renal artery stenosis, and combined use of drugs that can induce AKI (e.g., diuretics, NSAIDs), etc. Ahmed et al. [in a study of 52 patients (mean age 73.3 years) with stage 4-5 CKD treated with RAAS inhibitors found that , the eGFR of patients increased from 16.38 ml/min to 26.60 ml/min 12 months after discontinuation of RAAS inhibitors, suggesting that RAAS inhibitors can cause further deterioration of renal function in elderly patients with severe CKD.  2. Hyperkalemia. The causes of hyperkalemia that predispose the elderly to hyperkalemia in treatment with RAAS inhibitors include reduced plasma renin and reduced plasma aldosterone levels. The use of NSAIDs can increase the risk of hyperkalemia.  3. Hypotension. Elderly patients with CKD may be prone to hypotension due to a combination of factors such as abnormal autonomic regulation. The occurrence of hypotension may lead to deterioration of renal function and the occurrence of adverse events such as falls.