OBJECTIVES: We evaluated whether renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade attenuates cardiovascular events. BACKGROUND: Because inflammation and enhanced thrombogenesis are hallmarks of atherosclerosis, we assessed whether RAS inhibition elicits anti-inflammatory and anti-aggregatory effects. METHODS: Interleukin 6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), metalloprotease 9 (MMP-9), and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were determined in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and arterial hypertension six to eight weeks after coronary angioplasty (low-density lipoprotein serum levels