Stopping ACE-inhibitors in COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic currently poses unprecedented challenges to the health systems of all countries. Experimental studies show that the SARS-CoV2 virus enters human cells via the angiotensin converting enzyme II receptor 2 (ACE2). ACE inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) can lead to an increase in the expression of ACE2. Therefore, there is concern that in patients treated with ACEI or ARB, the absorption of the virus is facilitated, thereby accelerating its spread in the body. ACEI-COVID tests the hypothesis that stopping chronic ACEI / ARB therapy in SARS-CoV2-infected patients improves outcomes.