title: [Anti-aldosterone therapy in severe heart failure].
abstract: The mortality rate among patients with severe heart failure is still very high despite treatment with loop diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The 'randomized aldactone evaluation study' (RALES) has shown that 25 mg spironolactone added to this treatment was safe and reduced all-cause mortality by 30% in patients with severe (previous New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class IV) heart failure due to systolic left ventricular dysfunction. Blockade of aldosterone in these patients may be necessary to overcome so-called aldosterone escape during chronic ACE-inhibition. The beneficial effects of spironolactone may relate to enhanced diuresis, anti-arrhythmogenic properties and direct effects on the myocardium and blood vessels. At present, addition of spironolactone may be appropriate for patients with severe heart failure, whereas patients with moderate heart failure may benefit more from beta-blockade.
authors.affiliation: Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, afd. Inwendige Geneeskunde, Amsterdam.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van Guldener
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Donker
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D013148:Spironolactone