Patients were divided into two groups with block randomisation, using the sealed envelope technique: group T (telmisartan group) consisted of patients who received the angiotensin receptor blocking agent, telmisartan (Micardis®, Boehringer Ingelheim, Istanbul, Turkey) 80 mg daily for at least six months in the pre-operative period; group N-T (non-telmisartan group) consisted of patients who received neither telmisartan nor any other angiotensin receptor blockers. In both groups, no patients were using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors for at least six months prior to the study.