title: The use of angiotensin receptor blockers in the treatment of chronic heart failure.
abstract: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) have a pharmacological role in the treatment of heart failure through their blockade of the effects of angiotensin II. ARBs, however, lack the potential benefits of inhibiting the breakdown of bradykinin that is seen with ACE-Is. Historically, the medical literature assessing ARBs in the treatment of chronic heart failure have been short in duration and primarily focused on surrogate markers of disease severity. Recent, well-designed clinical trials have shed new light on the potential roles of ARBs in the treatment of chronic heart failure and their effects on mortality in this patient population. In comparison to captopril, losartan has been shown to have similar benefits in cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. In patients with systolic dysfunction who are intolerant to ACE-Is, candesartan has been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality and hospital admissions for heart failure. In combination with ACE-Is, candesartan and valsartan have been shown to improve heart failure morbidity and, with candesartan, reduced cardiovascular mortality in those with systolic dysfunction. These 2 trials show conflicting mortality information regarding the use of triple therapy with ACE-Is, ARBs, and beta-blockers for systolic dysfunction. In patients with heart failure but preserved systolic dysfunction, candesartan showed no effects on mortality and only modest effects on morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas 79430-8162, USA. brian.irons@ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Brian K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Irons
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tsikouris
authors.forename: Audra A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000188:drug therapy; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors