* admitted to icu prior to randomization * currently taking an arb or angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin-inhibitor (arni) * use of other investigational drugs at the time of enrollment * prior reaction or intolerance to an arb or arni; or severe intolerance to an acei, defined as angio-oedema requiring medical intervention * systolic blood pressure \< 105mmhg or diastolic blood pressure \<65mmhg * potassium greater than 5.5 meq/l within 4 weeks of study enrollment. * estimated glomerular filtration rate (egfr) of \< 30ml/min/1.73 m2 within 4 weeks of study initiation * a known history of renal artery stenosis * ast and/or alt \> 3 times the upper limit of normal within 4 weeks of study enrollment. in case of mild to moderate liver dysfunction valsartan dosage will be limited to a maximum of 80mg * severe liver dysfunction, biliary cirrhosis or cholestasis * severe volume depletion or severe acute kidney injury that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude administration of valsartan * concurrent treatment with aliskiren * inability to obtain informed consent * pregnancy or breastfeeding * in females of childbearing age, unwillingness to use birth control or to be sexually abstinent for the duration of the study

* admitted to icu prior to randomization * currently taking an arb or angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin-inhibitor (arni) * use of other investigational drugs at the time of enrollment * prior reaction or intolerance to an arb or arni; or severe intolerance to an acei, defined as angio-oedema requiring medical intervention * systolic blood pressure \< 105mmhg or diastolic blood pressure \<65mmhg * potassium greater than 5.5 meq/l within 4 weeks of study enrollment. * estimated glomerular filtration rate (egfr) of \< 30ml/min/1.73 m2 within 4 weeks of study initiation * a known history of renal artery stenosis * ast and/or alt \> 3 times the upper limit of normal within 4 weeks of study enrollment. in case of mild to moderate liver dysfunction valsartan dosage will be limited to a maximum of 80mg * severe liver dysfunction, biliary cirrhosis or cholestasis * severe volume depletion or severe acute kidney injury that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude administration of valsartan * concurrent treatment with aliskiren * inability to obtain informed consent * pregnancy or breastfeeding * in females of childbearing age, unwillingness to use birth control or to be sexually abstinent for the duration of the study

- admitted to icu prior to randomization - currently taking an arb or angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin-inhibitor (arni) - use of other investigational drugs at the time of enrollment - prior reaction or intolerance to an arb or arni; or severe intolerance to an acei, defined as angio-oedema requiring medical intervention - systolic blood pressure < 105mmhg or diastolic blood pressure <65mmhg - potassium greater than 5.5 meq/l within 4 weeks of study enrollment. - estimated glomerular filtration rate (egfr) of < 30ml/min/1.73 m2 within 4 weeks of study initiation - a known history of renal artery stenosis - ast and/or alt > 3 times the upper limit of normal within 4 weeks of study enrollment. in case of mild to moderate liver dysfunction valsartan dosage will be limited to a maximum of 80mg - severe liver dysfunction, biliary cirrhosis or cholestasis - severe volume depletion or severe acute kidney injury that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude administration of valsartan - concurrent treatment with aliskiren - inability to obtain informed consent - pregnancy or breastfeeding - in females of childbearing age, unwillingness to use birth control or to be sexually abstinent for the duration of the study

- admitted to icu prior to randomization - currently taking an arb or angiotensin-receptor-neprilysin-inhibitor (arni) - use of other investigational drugs at the time of enrollment - prior reaction or intolerance to an arb or arni; or severe intolerance to an acei, defined as angio-oedema requiring medical intervention - systolic blood pressure < 105mmhg or diastolic blood pressure <65mmhg - potassium greater than 5.5 meq/l within 4 weeks of study enrollment. - estimated glomerular filtration rate (egfr) of < 30ml/min/1.73 m2 within 4 weeks of study initiation - a known history of renal artery stenosis - ast and/or alt > 3 times the upper limit of normal within 4 weeks of study enrollment. in case of mild to moderate liver dysfunction valsartan dosage will be limited to a maximum of 80mg - severe liver dysfunction, biliary cirrhosis or cholestasis - severe volume depletion or severe acute kidney injury that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude administration of valsartan - concurrent treatment with aliskiren - inability to obtain informed consent - pregnancy or breastfeeding - in females of childbearing age, unwillingness to use birth control or to be sexually abstinent for the duration of the study