title: [Combination therapy in cardiovascular diseases other than hypertension].
abstract: As in hypertension, the addition of a second active drug is believed to enhance treatment efficacy; however, the extent to which a combination of two low-dose drugs outperforms conventional monotherapy remains uncertain. Established treatments of angina comprises nitrates compounds, beta-blockers and calcium antagonists, which are often given in combination. Beta-blockers are major players in this field as they inhibit the tachycardia induced by nitrates and calcium antagonists; there is therefore a pathophysiological justification for their use in combination therapy, supported by repeated confirmation of positive clinical effect. The most widely chosen calcium antagonists are dihydropyridines; verapamil may impair conduction. However, it is not clear whether combination enhances the effects of the individual antianginal substances. Diuretics are for most clinicians the keystone treatment of heart failure; diuretics are often combined with other drugs, e.g. amiloride and spironolactone. The latter also have a beneficial effect on myocardial structure (myocardium/collagen ratio). ACE-inhibitors are of proven clinical efficacy, and, in addition, have a beneficial effect on survival. They combine well with diuretics: because the diuretic stimulates renin release, the ACE-inhibitor can be given at a lower dose (enhancement of effect). There are, however, certain drawbacks (hypotension, hyperkalemia with antialdosterones). The results of combining ACE-inhibitors with calcium antagonists and beta-blockers await investigation. The ISIS studies demonstrated the advantages of combining beta-blockers, thrombolysis and aspirin in acute infarction. ACE-inhibitors have recently been added to the regimen with a positive effect (extended survival), especially in the presence of a decreased ejection fraction (SAVE, AIRE, GISSI 3 and ISIS 4 studies).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Département des Maladies Cardiovasculaires, Hôpital Universitaire, Gand, Belgique, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clement
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wimart
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thibout
mesh_terms: D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy
vernacular_title: Les bithérapies dans les pathologies cardiovasculaires autres que l'hypertension.