title: [Effect of aldosterone antagonism in heart failure: pharmacotherapeutic options].
abstract: Aldosterone escape during chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition may contribute to the high mortality among patients with heart failure. Aldosterone exerts several detrimental effects in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Spironolactone, an aldosterone antagonist, has proved beneficial when added to ACE inhibitors in patients with severe heart failure. However, spironolactone has substantial side effects mostly due to anti-androgen and anti-progestagen actions. This may limit its use in less severe heart failure. Recently, more selective aldosterone antagonists have been developed, which appear to have the same potential as spironolactone with fewer side effects. Trials to assess efficacy of these drugs in hypertension and mild heart failure are now being started.
authors.affiliation: Rijksuniversiteit, afd. Klinische Farmacologie, Groningen.
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Diercks
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Overdiek
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: van Veldhuisen
mesh_terms: D000450:Aldosterone / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000451:Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists; D013148:Spironolactone; D000450:Aldosterone
vernacular_title: Het belang van aldosteronantagonisme bij hartfalen: farmacotherapeutische mogelijkheden.