Safety and efficacy of valsartan versus enalapril in heart failure patients.
Although a cornerstone in the treatment of heart failure, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are under-used, partly due to side effects. If proven at least similarly efficacious to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers may replace them due to their superior tolerability. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of valsartan and enalapril in heart failure patients stabilised on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. We randomised 141 patients (mean 68 years, 74% males) with stable mild/moderate heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction 0.45 or less, to valsartan 160 mg q.d. (n=70) or enalapril 10 mg b.i.d. (n=71) for 12 weeks. Changes in 6-min-walk test (primary efficacy variable), patients' wellbeing and left ventricular size and function did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. Valsartan was significantly non-inferior to enalapril in walk test distance change: least-square means treatment difference +1.12 m (95% confidence interval -21.9 to 24.1), non-inferiority P<0.001. Left ventricular size (P<0.001) and function (P=0.048) improved significantly only in the valsartan group. Fewer patients experienced adverse events in the valsartan group (50%) than in the enalapril group (63%), although statistically non-significant. Valsartan is similarly efficacious and safe to enalapril in patients with stable, mild/moderate heart failure, previously stabilised on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and directly switched to study medication.
Willenheimer
Ronnie
R
Department of Cardiology, Malmö University Hospital, S-205 02, Malmö, Sweden. ronnie.willenheimer@medforsk.mas.lu.se
Helmers
Claes
C
Pantev
Emil
E
Rydberg
Erik
E
Löfdahl
Per
P
Gordon
Allan
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004656:Enalapril / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014633:Valine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068756:Valsartan
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D013777:Tetrazoles; D004656:Enalapril; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine